Library Leadership in a Global Community: Thinking Outside the Borders Barbara J. Ford Susan Schnuer Sara Q. Thompson

Mission: To strengthen international ties among libraries and librarians worldwide for the promotion of international education, understanding and peace. Established by two generous gifts from C. Walter and Gerda B. Mortenson Mortenson Center for International Library Programs More than 800 librarians from 87 countries have already taken advantage of this center — the only one of its kind in the world.

Why an International Library Leadership Institute? many institutes – few with a focus on understanding of being a leader in a global context many institutes – few with a focus on understanding of being a leader in a global context demand from international librarians demand from international librarians different definitions of leadership different definitions of leadership set a context where all participants would be equal, comfortable and could learn from each other set a context where all participants would be equal, comfortable and could learn from each other

Thinking Outside the Borders: Funding and Partners Funding for this three-year project comes from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), an US Federal Organization Funding for this three-year project comes from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), an US Federal Organization Partner: Illinois State Library

Goals establish common language for talking about leadership and better understanding of leadership traits in a global context establish common language for talking about leadership and better understanding of leadership traits in a global context develop cross-cultural communication strategies develop cross-cultural communication strategies gain deeper appreciation and understanding of the context of library operations in other countries gain deeper appreciation and understanding of the context of library operations in other countries build lasting professional relationships with librarians from other countries build lasting professional relationships with librarians from other countries

Guidelines residential for more informal discussions residential for more informal discussions participants evenly split between international and U.S. librarians participants evenly split between international and U.S. librarians speakers from U.S. and other countries speakers from U.S. and other countries presentations and activities new to all participants to create an even field for learning presentations and activities new to all participants to create an even field for learning content based on concrete concepts common to all librarians content based on concrete concepts common to all librarians mixture of lectures, workshops, group activities and a project mixture of lectures, workshops, group activities and a project

Guiding Principles Global Leadership Qualities Global Leadership Qualities International Leadership in Action International Leadership in Action A Space, a Place, and a Time A Space, a Place, and a Time Moving outside of the U.S. context Moving outside of the U.S. context A level-playing field A level-playing field An environment of trust and inclusion An environment of trust and inclusion Connecting through Local Touch and Global Reach Connecting through Local Touch and Global Reach

Content Assessment Tool: Assessment Tool: Campbell Leadership Description Multicultural awareness Multicultural awareness A global view A global view Culturally sensitive Culturally sensitive Globally innovative Globally innovative Effective global leadership image Effective global leadership image Internationally resilient Internationally resilient Cross-cultural communication Advocacy Negotiation Disaster preparation Cultural simulation games Pamoja World Cafe

“… so many different approaches to creating a culture, communicating, and making things work on many different levels…” -- institute participant

“… I feel that [Pamoja] was the catalyst to develop the trust needed to move beyond your ‘average’ participation.” -- institute participant

“This kind of lighthearted interaction was the most enlightening to me. I actually began to connect with my peers, both international and American.” -- institute participant

For More Information: Barbara J. Susan