37 librarians completed the 2nd round of the Library Development Program Academy. During the closing session, which took place October 20–22 in Warsaw, they received their diplomas and reflected on their professional development journey. The Academy helped them better understand their own talents, develop professional competencies, and plan initiatives that address the needs of libraries and local communities.
address the needs of libraries and local communities.
The Library Development Program Alumni Academy is a professional development program aimed at public library staff, combining an assessment of individual potential with the development of personal and specialized competencies. An important element of the process is discovering one’s own talents through the Gallup® assessment and an individual discussion of the results with a certified coach.
Academy participants took part in in-person sessions and online meetings focused on topics such as collaboration and communication, argumentation and advocacy, as well as preventing burnout. The program also included individual coaching and mentoring, staff group meetings, and participation in a selected specialized course: “Communicate,” “Library. Help!” or “The Book at the Center.” Each participant developed their own implementation project for their library. For this purpose, the libraries received grants of PLN 3,000. The implementation tasks focused, among other things, on developing individual and team competencies, organizing educational study visits, introducing new library services, and purchasing equipment combined with training on its use.
The wrap-up session, held October 20–22 at the Museum of Warsaw’s Praga District, provided an opportunity to exchange experiences and reflect on the role of libraries and librarians in local communities. “I realized that I want to do important things, but I don’t want to do them alone. I discovered that it’s important to give myself time and take care of my well-being. I know that our profession is very important. I have more strength within me to speak up about it. We’re like the glue that nobody sees, but which builds social resilience. I was reminded that libraries are, above all, about people, and I’m grateful for that reminder,” said Anna Jach, one of the Academy’s graduates.
Thirty-seven people representing libraries from various parts of Poland completed the 2nd round of the Academy: Nowe Miasto nad Wartą, Juchnowiec Kościelny, Frombork, Zakopane, Skołyszyn, Oleśnica, Garwolin, Sochocin, Radzyń Podlaski, Lubań, Łuków, Kartuzy, Luzino, Konstantynów, Przystajń, Niedrzwica Duża, Łask, Górzno, Jabłonowo Pomorskie, Szyce, Dąbrowa Chełmińska, Milanów, Tczów, Nowe Miasto Lubawskie, Łazy, Mszana, Bolków, Lwówek, Lidzbark Warmiński, Ciechocinek, Szamotuły, Międzyzdroje, and Książki. A total of 70 people participated in the two rounds of the Academy.
Graduating from the Academy is not just about wrapping up the development process and receiving diplomas. It also marks the beginning of the next stage: applying the acquired knowledge and skills in daily work and strengthening the role of libraries in local communities.
The Library Development Program, which has been in operation since 2008, supports public libraries throughout Poland in developing their roles as modern, local hubs for access to information, culture, education, and social engagement. An important part of the program is also strengthening the professional competencies and prestige of librarians.
