Lead the Revolution: Leading Change by Changing Leaders

Presenters:  Felton Thomas, Jr., Director, Cleveland (OH) Public Library and Dr. Rachel Rubin, Director, Bexley (OH) Public Library

 

Public libraries have unique potential to create opportunities for those they serve: opportunities for growth, learning, and literacy; community and civic engagement; exposure to the joy of discovery and to the challenge of new ideas.  We live in an era when equitable access to these opportunities is shrinking and threats to public libraries are growing.  This is our call to arms. Now is the time for a library leadership revolution. 

 

Before libraries can successfully combat these challenges, they first need to be healthy organizations.  The long-term success of libraries has to start from within. This workshop will introduce library employees to the leadership skills they need to fortify themselves, each other, and the cultures of their organizations. From developing leadership self-awareness to navigating constant change to creating an environment in which employees are encouraged to support each other, the focus of this program will be on developing strong employees and strong organizations. Participants will leave better prepared to take on the challenges facing the modern public library and to help start the library leadership revolution. 

 

 

Rachel G. Rubin is the Director of Bexley Public Library. Previously, she has worked for Columbus (OH) Metropolitan Library and the Worthington (OH) Libraries. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Carleton College, a Master of Library and Information Science from Kent State University, and a Ph.D. in Managerial Leadership in the Information Professions from Simmons College.   Dr. Rubin holds leadership positions with the Bexley Area Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Library Council, and is an American Library Association Councilor-at-Large and a member of the ALA-APA Committee on the Status and Standing of Library Workers.  She lives in Bexley, Ohio.

 

 

Felton Thomas, Jr. is the Director of the Cleveland (OH) Public Library. During his tenure, the library has attained a "Five Star" status and been named "Top Innovator" by the Urban Libraries Council for its use of technology and data to inform decision making.  He also previously served as Director of Regional Branch Services for the Las Vegas-Clark Library District and was the President of the Nevada Library Association. He is currently pursuing his PhD in Managerial Leadership Management at Simmons College.