The AfLIA Leadership Academy – Call for Applications

African Library & Information Associations & Institutions (AfLIA) is collaborating with the Public Library Association (PLA) to establish the AfLIA Leadership Academy aimed at:

• Building the knowledge, skills and confidence of library leaders to act in innovative and creative ways in meeting community needs;
• Supporting library leaders to foster partnerships between libraries and government agencies, the private sector, NGOs, civil society, and faith-based organizations to work together to improve the lives of community members; and
• Strengthening library leaders’ skills and assisting them find innovative approaches to library services, tangibly improving the value libraries bring to communities.

AfLIA invites applications from librarians working in public and national libraries to participate in the Leadership Academy, which begins in January 2018 and runs for eight months. The Academy aims to support middle managers in African public and national libraries to be true leaders
in their communities. Anticipated outcomes for participants are to:

• Understand the nature and requirements of effective leadership and one’s own leadership style;
• Gain a deep understanding of how to manage change and how to effectively carry out civic engagement;
• Apply the concept of Asset Based Community Development using the assets within their communities to bring about positive change;
• Understand the opportunities offered and challenges posed by partnering with both library and non-library organisations; and 
• Form a network of engaged and transforming library leaders ready to lead in taking their national, African and Global Development agendas forward.

The Leadership Academy includes a five-day workshop in January 2018, followed by eight months of support from Coaches who are recognized leaders in the field. There will be three participants
assigned to each Coach.


Within the eight months, participants will be expected to:

• Attend three webinars run by their Coaches and attended by the three people in their coaching group between February and May 2018.
• Develop and implement a project geared at improving the livelihoods of the community.
• Report on their work at the AfLIA Public Libraries Summit in May 2018.
• Take a two week study visit to US public libraries (participants will pay for their travel costs including visa and travel insurance and AfLIA will pay for the accommodation and meals).
• Take part in the evaluation of the Academy after eight months.
• Continue to network with their colleagues at the Academy for a minimum period of one year.

Applicants must meet the following qualifying criteria:

• Must be from an African public or national library service.
• Must have at least three years of experience at managerial level.
• Must be able to read and write in English (because the course is conducted in English).
• Must have documented support from his/her organization.
• Must be an active member of the local library association.
• The institution to which he/she belongs must be a member of AfLIA.

In addition, it will be advantageous to be from an institution that is hosting/has hosted an INELI participant and have demonstrated leadership qualities.

Interested applicants should download and complete the Application Form at http://dl.aflia.net/AfLIA_leadership_form.docx
Send completed applications and all accompanying documents by email with the subject ‘Application for AfLIA Leadership Academy’ to programofficer@aflia.net with a copy to secretariat@aflia.net by August 18, 2017.

Institutional support should be in the form of an endorsement letter from the applicant's library, on the library’s letterhead and signed by the head of the institution or his/her representative,
scanned and included with the completed form.