The LDP Academy for Alumni is the first development initiative designed for public library staff based on diagnosis of potential (Gallup Test®), which gives an opportunity for personal development and development of specialist competencies. The deadline for applications is on April 3.
The LDP Academy is addressed to librarians who have participated in one of the five rounds of the Library Development Program carried out in the years 2008-2024, work at public libraries in a rural community, municipal-and-rural community or municipality with up to 50,000 residents, and have contact at work with the library users on everyday basis. We invite people ready to take active part in the development process, willing to use their knowledge and skills achieved at the Academy for the benefit of the library and community for which they work.
The Library Development Program Academy offer includes:
- the Gallup test and individual discussion of the results with a certified coach;
- 3 three-day in-person meetings, 2 two-day online meetings on: coaching and talents, personal efficiency, cooperation and communication, reasoning and advocacy, burnout prevention and resting;
- a grant of PLN 3,000 for the library for carrying out an implementation task and a mentor’s support;
- 5 meetings of the employee groups;
- individual coaching and mentoring;
- participation in one specialist course chosen from among the following: Communicate, Library. Help! Focus on a book;
- access to tools enabling effective participation in the Academy classes;
- teaching aids;
- the diploma of graduation from the LDP Academy and the specialist course;
The enrollment is run by the Information Society Development Foundation, which is the manager of the Library Development Program. The enrollment procedure has two stages. In the first stage, you fill in the form. Those accepted to the second stage will be invited to the online interview.
To submit your application to The Library Development Program Academy, fill in the enrollment form by April 3.
The objective of implemented from 2008 the Library Development Program is to support public libraries all over Poland in their function of modern access centers to information, culture, education and social activity. An important element is also improving competence and professional prestige of librarians.
Under five rounds held so far, the support went to 4,224 libraries in 1335 municipalities and rural communes, that is to 70 percent of the target group. That involved participation of over 12,500 librarians.
Until 2015 the program was carried out within the partnership of the Polish-American Freedom Foundation and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It was part of a broader initiative of the Gates Foundation, “Global Libraries,” covering a dozen countries. In Poland, the Information Society Development Foundation, established by PAFF in 2008, was the Program Manager. The Gates Foundation entrusted PAFF with a $31 million grant for the program.
