Our Research

As part of the ALA Emerging Leaders program, our group met at the 2025 LibLearnX Conference in Phoenix, AZ to discuss project goals, research methods, and expected outcomes. In this initial brainstorming, we decided to divide the research amongst group members. We each researched leadership-specific professional development opportunities for library staff members in our area, noting the cost, frequency, and dates of the webinars, conferences, and networking events.

After we compiled a list of what was available to each of us at a local level, we evaluated what leadership-specific professional development was offered from the American Library Association (ALA) and the Public Library Association (PLA).

Once we had completed the cataloging of ALA/PLA webinars, it was time to sort our quantitative data using a controlled vocabulary. After several rounds of revisions, we decided on a set of 11 key controlled vocabulary terms with sub-categories listed if needed.

Administration &
Leadership

Long-term planning for library operations
Sub-categories: Library Board, Strategic
Planning, Policy

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Actively creating an inclusive workplace
and public space through devoted effort to
equity and diversity

Health & Wellness

The mental/physical/spiritual well being of
library workers and patrons
Sub-categories: Social Work, Burnout,
Mental Health

Marketing & Outreach

Engaging with outside publics to promote
library services
Sub-categories: Community Engagement,
Community Partners

Advocacy

Sharing the value of libraries and explaining library operations to policy makers and the public

Finance & Funding

Fiscal support and management thereof
Sub-categories: Budgeting, Grants

Intellectual Freedom

The protection of every individual’s right to
read and access information

without limitation

Technology

Engaging with library data; the impact of
technology in regards to media literacy
Sub-categories: AI, Specialized Training

Careers

Library staff seeking to expand their
understanding of the library career field
Sub-categories: Networking, Mentoring,
Early Career, Continuing Education

General

The foundations of a public

library’s operations
Sub-categories: Resources, Patron Services,
Customer Service

Management

Overseeing library staff members
Sub-categories: Human Resources,
Interpersonal Communication, Personnel

Once the data had been sorted and properly tagged using the controlled vocabulary, it was time to identify gaps and overlaps in professional development opportunities. More specifically, we wanted to know what training would most benefit library professionals currently seeking leadership development opportunities. We developed a 10-question survey, highlighting the need for open-ended responses.