2-Part Webinar Series: Interim Leadership

Series Description: Interim leadership is increasing throughout librarianship. The library field, in general, does not adequately undertake succession planning or develop leadership skills. These webinars will introduce these subjects and help establish what is currently known about them.

Webinars

Dates: Tuesday, April 22 - Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Time: 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. CT

Presenters: Amy Kornblau and Kristy Padron

Webinars

Part One Title: Making the Most of Your Interim Leadership Role

Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Time: 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. CT

Webinar Description: This webinar will explore ways to prepare for, develop skills in, and maximize the interim leadership experience so that taking on an interim leadership role does not have to seem so precarious and may in fact open a world of possibilities. This webinar will review current knowledge on this topic and present the experience of two academic librarians who accepted interim leadership roles.

Who Should Attend: Librarians and library professionals in all settings at mid-career level as interim leadership opportunities are more likely to be presented at mid-career. This is increasingly happening because of retirements and turnover in the library profession.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this webinar, attendees will be able to do the following in order to consider, prepare, and inform professional practice for interim library leadership roles:

Describe the common factors that create interim leadership roles in libraries;
Determine recommendations and best practices in taking on an interim leadership role; and
Identify basic knowledge, skills, and abilities to prepare for, develop leadership skills, and maximize the experience of serving in an interim library leadership role.

Part Two Title: Your Interim Leadership Role: Succession Planning

Will be Presented on: Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Time: 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. CT

Presenters: Amy Kornblau, Kristy Padron, Leah Plocharczy & Maris Hayashi

Webinar Description: Interim leadership is increasing throughout librarianship. The library field, in general, does not adequately undertake succession planning. This webinar will present the current state of knowledge on this topic. It will also share the experiences of four academic librarians who accepted interim or acting leadership roles with minimal or no succession plans in place; the succession plans created by two of the interim leaders who did not apply for the permanent positions; and general succession planning considerations and recommendations. Participants will be able to identify ways to address, initiate, and enact succession planning in their libraries.

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this webinar, attendees will be able to do the following in order to consider, prepare, and inform professional practice for interim library leadership roles:

Identify common elements that can help one succeed in a term-limited leadership position when there is no succession plan in place.
Describe the common elements in creating a succession plan at an organizational, departmental, or individual level.
Determine considerations, recommendations, and best practices to inform and prepare for succession planning.

Presenter Bios:

Amy Kornblau, MLS, Associate Dean of University Libraries, has 28 years of experience in university libraries. In addition to her MLS, she earned an Executive Certificate in Project Management through the College of Business Executive Education and completed the 2023 Appreciative Administration Course through The Office of Appreciative Education at Florida Atlantic University. During her 25-year tenure at FAU, she has served as the Social Sciences Reference Librarian, Systems (IT) Librarian, Systems Department Head, and has held three Assistant Dean positions. She is currently serving as the Associate Dean of University Libraries following the completion of her 18 months service to the FAU Libraries and the University as Interim Dean, University Libraries.

Kristy Padron, MLIS, Librarian / Professor I, has 20 years of experience in college and university libraries. Before taking on a year-long term as an interim assistant dean, she served as research and information services librarian and coordinated instruction and scholarly communication services. To continue her interest in organizational behavior and management, Ms. Padron is currently pursuing coursework for a Master in Public Administration at Florida Atlantic University and is continuing to work on a contractual basis with the Florida Atlantic University Libraries to assist with their succession planning efforts.

Leah Plocharczyk is a University Librarian and the Director of the John D. MacArthur Campus Library at Florida Atlantic University’s Jupiter campus where she oversees all aspects of the library’s operation. She is active in mentoring students, as well as leadership and library outreach. Her publications include articles on library collaboration with marine mammal stranding networks and conflict management within libraries. She co-authored a book about the importance of library book clubs as educational tools for adults with intellectual disabilities titled, Libraries and Reading: Intellectual Disability and the Extent of Library Diversity. Ms. Plocharczyk’s interests include providing literacy and socialization opportunities to underserved and marginalized populations.

Maris Hayashi, MA, MLS, Assistant Dean for Collection Strategies and Discovery Services at Florida Atlantic University, has more than 22 years of experience in university libraries. Her portfolio currently includes Collection Management, Interlibrary Loan, and government collections. She also has experience working in reference and instruction, as well as collection development. Prior to joining Florida Atlantic, Ms. Hayashi served as an interlibrary loan coordinator/evening supervisor at Mount Mercy University (formerly Mount Mercy College) and an Information Arcade Consultant at the University of Iowa.

Tech Requirements

Core Webinars are held in Zoom. Speakers or a headset for listening to the presentation are required. You may interact with the presenter and ask questions through text-based chat. Closed captioning is available in the Zoom platform. The webcast will be recorded and the link to the recording shared with registrants shortly after the live event.