The New York Library Association’s Developing Leader Program
November 2020 to June 2021
Thanks to the Central New York Libraries Resources Councils Professional Development Grant I was able to participate in NYLA’s 2021 Developing Leader’s Program! It was such a wonderful opportunity and rich experience that helped me strengthen and cultivate my leadership skills.
Throughout the eight month program, I attended fourteen online sessions. Every presentation gave me new insights that I will utilize as I continue in my library career. Some sessions that I found truly enriching and beneficial to me were DISC & Leadership Style where I was able to understand more about my own leadership style based on my personality and personal core values. With this knowledge, I am able to better understand myself and how I affect those around me and what I do that is beneficial to my community and Library as well as what I should work on and continue to develop. This has also helped me to have a better understanding of others and how best to support them based on their own personalities and styles. I also really enjoyed both the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and Personal Branding presentations. These sessions both encouraged me to challenge myself and work on ways to strive towards inclusion and accessibility, as well as engage those that benefit from what the library I represent can do for its patrons and community.
Overall, I found all fourteen of the sessions throughout the DLP program to be helpful and very beneficial. I feel as though I have a better understanding of myself and how to grow in my leadership role that will also be beneficial to those around me.
With the CLRC Professional Development Grant, not only did I receive an amazing opportunity to learn about leadership and cultivate my skills; because of this program, I was able to meet several incredible librarians from all parts of NYS who brought and shared experiences and tools that I will use to benefit the library where I currently work as well as wherever my future takes me.
To conclude the program, I worked with four other members to develop our team Project: The Outdoor Classroom. Our project was meant to encourage patrons to be lifelong learners while developing a sense of wonder and appreciation for the great outdoors of New York State. Our teams’ project can be accessed here https://www.nyla.org/4DCGI/cms/review.html?Action=CMS_Document&DocID=3 258&.
Thank you so much for awarding me with this opportunity. The NYLA Developing Leaders program was an absolute blast and inspired me to strive further.
Chelsea Roy
Adult Services Librarian, Kirkland Town Library
Are you interested in being our next Professional Development Award recipient? Check out the award page for the rules & requirements!