The 1st Annual Library Leadership Institute

organised by The University of Hong Kong Libraries 

in conjunction with the Association of Research Libraries (ARL)

 

>>Photos for the HKUL Leadership Institute 2003

 

Overview

The University of Hong Kong Libraries, in conjunction with the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) Office of Leadership and Management Services (OLMS), has developed a leadership and management Institute for librarians in the East Asia region. This live-in Institute provided library directors and senior librarians from the East Asia region with the unique opportunity to develop new skills in the volatile area of management and leadership in the information sector. The programme provided a cost effective means of accessing the excellent training services provided by the Association of Research Libraries. Regional librarians would normally be required to travel to the United States to participate in such an event.

 

The event was largely delivered by the US based Association of Research Libraries (ARL) training staff who had extensive experience in this area. While the Institute built around the ARL's Library Management Skills Institute I, Hong Kong University Libraries staff have worked closely with ARL staff to develop an extended programme suited to Asian library managers. The Institute focused on the individual manager's role in providing leadership within a complex and changing library environment.

 

Institute Content

The 2003 institute kicked off with a welcoming lunch on 23rd of March. Over the course of the five days, participants engaged in learner-driven activities designed to build skills and awareness such as:

1. Coaching employees to resolve performance problems
2. Recognizing and expanding one's ability to influence others
3. Making effective decisions
4. Understanding behavioral styles and preferences
5. Working in groups and teams
6. Practicing facilitative leadership

 

In addition to a wide range of topics being covered, a case study was given to teams of participants to enable them to work as teams and to develop a viable solution. The Institute wound up with each team providing a presentation on their findings.

 

Targeted Audience

The Institute was limited to participants from academic or research libraries in Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan and other countries in the region. These participants were librarians who aspire to more significant leadership roles and included current and prospective library directors as well as current and prospective senior library managers. The course was delivered in English.

 

Institute Venue

The Institute commenced with lunch on Sunday March 23, 2003 and concluded with lunch on Thursday March 27, 2003 at the Harbour Plaza Resort City, Tin Shui Wai, Hong Kong.

 

Principal Facilitator

 

Barclay Ogden

Barclay Ogden is Head of the University of California, Berkeley Library Preservation Department and has also served as Director of the University of California nine-campus preservation program for the 14 years of its existence, and from 1995-98 served as Head of the Digital Library Research and Development group. In 1997, Barclay accepted a special administrative assignment to investigate and "do something" about seeming reductions in interest and contributions of library staff to development of library services, with particular attention to the concerns and needs of mid-career librarians and middle managers. In pursuit of this charge, Barclay undertook training in organizational development with an emphasis on organizational learning. In 1998 he initiated a library study group to evaluate the potential of organizational development solutions to Library problems. Barclay has most recently served as co-chair, with UCB University Librarian Jerry Lowell, of a steering committee to guide a Library-wide organizational renewal process at UCB.

 

Melanie Hawks

Melanie, ARL/OLMS Program Officer for Training, joined the OLMS training faculty in 1998. Melanie's background in staff development and in design and delivery of learning events make her a valued part of the OLMS. In addition to facilitating many of the OLMS in-person and sponsored events, Melanie serves as the lead designer of the Online Lyceum Coaching for Performance and Goal Setting courses. Melanies's interests are practical leadership and management skills for organizational effectiveness.

 

Peter Sidorko

Peter is the Deputy Librarian (Reader Services) at the University of Hong Kong, a position he has held since late 2001. Before taking up this position, he was Manager of the Client Services Program in the Information and Education Services Division at the University of Newcastle in New South Wales, Australia. In this role Peter held responsibility for a range of services including information access and support services through several libraries, faculty librarian services, computer laboratory management, IT desktop support through service level agreements, software sales and site licence management and student training in IT and information literacy. Peter held this position for three years. Previously he held a range of positions as a senior Librarian for 13 years including that of foundation Law Librarian at the University of Newcastle, a position he held for 7 years. Prior to this Peter held librarian positions at the University of New South Wales and the University of Sydney. Peter is also a current faculty member of the Australasian CAUDIT-EDUCAUSE Institute, an annual, residential professional development program for those who manage some aspect of information technology and resources in higher education, whether within their department or for the entire institution.