New Program Helps Librarians Reach the Pinnacle in Leadership
The Public Library Institute for New and Creative Leadership Education (PINNACLE) held its kick-off retreat at Unicoi State Park in early November. The new management leadership development initiative is coordinated by the Vinson Institute in partnership with the Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS).
The inaugural class includes 20 GPLS professionals from throughout the state, according to Walt McBride, Vinson Institute faculty member coordinating the instructional program. "The primary goal of PINNACLE is to prepare the next generation of high-quality leaders in library service," he explains. Participants must hold a master of library science, a master of science in library science, or a master of library and information science degree; be currently employed in a Georgia public library; and have at least two years of professional experience.
McBride worked with GPLS administrators to design the curriculum, which will be carried out by Vinson Institute management development faculty. Topics to be covered include financial management, power and influence, decision making, planning, and media relations. The program culminates with each participant completing a self-directed learning project to apply lessons learned to a significant issue in his or her library setting.
"We believe that the Vinson Institute has an excellent track record of leadership development for state and local governments, and its faculty has worked with us to balance general leadership skills with specific skills needed in the library environment," noted David Singleton, deputy state librarian, in the August 2007 issue of the Georgia Public Library Service News
.
