Publication Type

Presentation

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

5-2025

Abstract

Digital libraries exist symbiotically with traditional physical libraries creating an ecosystem of hybrid services built around innovation and creativity. Leading the digital library requires the ambidexterity to keep up to date with trends and developments and be a catalyst to lead change management. With the pandemic, academic libraries learnt to become champions of agility in transforming their services to meet the new demands and needs of the community they serve. Libraries are now facing new challenges; the disbanding of the Institute of Museum and Library Services in the United States, the rising threats of censorship, and the gradual erosion of free access to information and intellectual freedom. Developing strong leadership skills, is now more than ever an essential skill amongst librarians around the world.

Developed in collaboration with SMU Libraries, the Emerging Library Leaders’ Summer School for Asia-Pacific (ELLSSA) is curated as a bespoke program for selected participants across the Asia-Pacific. The objective of the program is to share knowledge, provide insights and learn with other librarians to embrace digital transformation and enhance or identify new services for their libraries. The target audience is early to mid-career librarians and/ or librarians nominated by their institutions as having high potential. In this presentation, participants will be introduced to ELLSSA through an introductory video that evidence testimonials from the program participants about their key takeaways. The presenters will then have a deep dive into the program structure highlighting its pedagogical and instructional soundness and other unique features such as the 'issue' pitch and mentoring program which transfers learning back into the workplace. Personal anecdotes by the presenters who were part of the program planning and facilitation will highlight some of the trials and tribulations where participants could consider when developing a similar program. Parting thoughts on the nature or nurture question will allow participants to reflect on their own career paths and leadership journey.  

Keywords

academic librarianship, Asia-Pacific, leadership, digital transformation, learning programs

Discipline

Higher Education | Library and Information Science

Publication

Joint Meeting Vienna 2025, May 19-22

First Page

1

Last Page

13

Embargo Period

5-11-2026

Additional URL

https://www.wu.ac.at/en/library/wu-library/events/joint-meeting-vienna-2025

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