In Fall 2023, I was tapped to lead Virginia Library Association’s Library Leadership Academy (VALLA). Under the administration of Lisa Varga (VLA Executive Director) – and in collaboration with Dr. Jennifer Brown (Augusta County Library) and Clint S. Rudy (Suffolk County Library) on logistics and goal-setting – I conceptualized and designed a curriculum centering critical hope as a fundamental framework for contemporary library leadership.
“Critical hope is the ability to realistically assess one’s environment through a lens of equity and justice while also envisioning the possibility of a better future.” – Bishundat, Phillip & Gore 2018
“Critical hope is a type of hope that grapples with its own political, emotional, relational, and experiential dimensions in order to enact change.“ (Grain 2022)
From March 10 – 13, 2024, I shared my curriculum via VALLA’s intensive three-day program with a 22-member cohort of library workers (formal and informal leaders) hailing from school, public, and academic libraries in Virginia. The curriculum invited learners to consider the concept of critical hope as it pertains to leadership, and incorporate established and emerging ideas about and applications of
- leadership and communication styles
- values, vision, and mission
- LIS organizational culture and psychology
- workplace- and industry-related belonging and inclusion
- social and cultural challenges
- human capacity, sustainability and advocacy; and
- self-preservation and well-being
These topics also included avenues of discussion for improving practices of community-building and collective care.
After the academy, 95% of cohort members shared their feedback about 2024 VALLA facilitation and curriculum. Read on to view their feedback about…
Preparation:
- “Kaetrena did a great job with making the content applicable to different forms of librarianship. She was entertaining and well prepared.”
- “Kaetrena does a wonderful job of balancing professionalism with humanity. Her presentation was engaging and easy to follow/understand. Kaetrena made it a point to check in on participants, offering moments of feedback and inquiry. It is evident she has positioned herself as an expert voice in this field.”
- “Kaetrena’s depth of knowledge and preparation was exceptional. All slides were clear and universally designed. She had all supplies for the work that we did ready to go. Everything was organized and planned well.”
- “Nothing seemed to throw Kaetrena. She knew her material very well and had thoughtful insights to most or all questions asked.”
- The [creative activities] were also a great show of preparation. Kaetrena understood some creative outlets and breaks would benefit the cohort during these difficult conversations. These preparations were well planned and appreciated because they added to this experience.”
- “Kaetrena was well prepared for the sessions. She was engaged with the material, but also promoted flexibility to let the discussions/feedback lead the way when needed. I appreciate that.”
Learning Achieved:
- “Critical hope became much more clear throughout VALLA as well as self preservation. I learned more about possible theories that could be playing into leadership challenges at work and discussing different theories helped me navigate how to deal with some of those challenges.”
- “I appreciated the topic of critical hope overall. It is a concept that is new to me but is recognizable in the work I do and what I need to do moving forward in my career.”
- “I was expecting this to focus on the dreaded ‘how to do more with less’ and how to motivate myself to continue working/leading on a level that feels unsustainable. Instead, I learned how to identify my role/the part that I can realistically play, set expectations and boundaries for myself, and continue to find joy in my work. This has already had a marked improvement on the way that I structure my work and the way that I delegate tasks/support my staff in protecting their own boundaries.”
- “During my time at VALLA, the concept of conflict resolution, with a particular focus on addressing Negative Workplace Behaviors, was significantly clarified. The program provided a comprehensive overview of workplace toxicity, delving into the various ways these detrimental behaviors can surface within professional settings.”
Impact on Practice:
- “I have already used some of the tools we learned in the 24hrs since we left. I intend to focus on building up resources and helping to raise others up as well. I have been reconsidering many aspects of my job with a critical eye toward inclusion and critical hope.”
- “The VALLA Curriculum made me feel less alone in the challenges that come up during the day-to-day. Knowing some of these challenges like the closed office, isolated work environments, and lack to salary transparency made me feel less alone with any challenges I maybe facing at work….”
- “I will definitely be implementing more of my art into my work. Creativity is so important and participating in VALLA reminded me of how important it is to be active in your creative side because that’s how you’ll be able to lead others.”
- “My long-term library leadership development and practice has changed. I am much more aware of how experiences are primary evidence, and should be treated as such, especially as a way to advocate for equity and representation. Regarding hope, I feel like the lens of critical hope gave me clarity, like the last lens falling into place at an eye doctor visit…”
- “The VALLA curriculum has helped me to feel comfortable in defining which opportunities I should say yes to versus when it’s reasonable to say no, and to make sure that I am checking in on my staff in an authentic way to make sure they are empowered to rebalance their workload as needed.”
- “I noticed changes immediately upon my return to work. Having a more clearly defined framework and vocabulary has given me more confidence in my leadership and ways to evaluate my actions. Praxis!”
Collaborating with the Virginia Library Association to bring a proven, sustainable lens of practice, community-building, and collective care to emerging library leaders has been an absolute joy. Throughout the past year, cohort members have been applying what they’ve learned, and I’m looking forward to expanding this practice lens and outlook with more leaders and learners. I also thank VLA for the opportunity to learn from and connect with Virginia’s library workers.
Seeking a dynamic facilitator who can offer an engaging, joyful, and transformative learning experience for your leadership training or continuing education/professional development program? Let’s talk!
