Library Leadership Institute

Ronald W. Shaw, Executive Director of the Lewiston Public Library, recently graduated from the inaugural Western New York Library Resources Council (WNYLRC) Library Leadership Institute. The institute was developed by WNYLRC in response to the growing need for teaching the next generation of library leadership in Western NY.

Classes taught included Modeling Leadership; Affecting Organizational Change; Effective Communication; Valuing Diversity; Politics of Organizational Culture; and The Power of Innovation. The participants - known as “fellows” - learned about the intricacies of leadership and were provided an opportunity to put into practice what they learned through completion of a project that met needs of the library they worked at.  

The goal of the library council was to offer participants a learning experience in which they would be able to establish life-long professional relationships with their colleagues. In seeking to provide the best experience possible, the Institute was limited to 20 fellows. Eligibility guidelines included a minimum of 3 years professional experience and holding a Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited institution.

Mr. Shaw holds a Masters in Library Science Degree from the University at Buffalo and is currently working towards a Masters of Arts in History. He previously was a reference librarian at North Tonawanda.