Cultivating Global Library Leadership: A Review of Leadership Training Programs for Librarians Worldwide

Abstract

The role of libraries and librarians has dramatically changed with the advent of new technologies and increased access to digital information. Libraries have become central places for learning, innovation, and community and need strong library leaders equipped to embrace risk and innovation as they manage change in their libraries. Research conducted by Arabella Advisors identifies 30 leadership programs around the world that together have played a critical role in cultivating over 6,000 library leaders. The research shows that access to leadership training is limited, particularly in less economically developed regions, that significant variation exists in program structure and content, and that programs and participants are not well connected, limiting the opportunities to learn from one another. Recommendations include increasing access to virtual training opportunities, identifying successful models to scale, and increasing training on library advocacy and impact measurement.