"The NLM/ AAHSL Leadership Fellows Program is focused on preparing emerging leaders for director positions in academic health center libraries. Fellows will have the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills in a variety of learning settings, including exposure to leadership in another environment. They will be paired with mentors who are academic health center library directors. In addition to the individual relationship with their mentors, fellows benefit from working collaboratively with other fellows and mentors. The program takes advantage of flexible scheduling and an online learning community to allow fellows to maintain their current professional and personal lives. The sponsors will provide financial support for up to five fellows and will underwrite travel expenses."

"The one-year program design is multi-faceted: three in-person leadership institutes; attendance at an Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) annual meeting; a yearlong fellow/mentor relationship; three Web-based courses on issues related to effective library leadership and management; and a two-week site visit to the mentor's home library (in one or two-week segments)."

The program is designed to:

• Introduce emerging academic health center library leaders to leadership theory and practical tools for implementing change at organizational and professional levels;
• Develop meaningful professional relationships between fellows and mentors that give fellows access to career guidance and support;
• Expose fellows to another academic health center library under the guidance of their mentors;
• Examine career development and provide models of directors to potential future academic health center library directors;
• Create a cohort of learners who will draw upon each other for support throughout their careers;
• Offer recognition to emerging leaders.

For more information go to:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/news/lfpannouncement05.html