3rd COHORT OF THE AfLIA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY (AfLAc) – FURTHER CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

22 JULY 2020

Libraries are crucial for quality education, building inclusiveness and assisting people to live gainfully. They are also pivotal to development at all levels of governance and human existence through providing access to information. The 21st century information provision sector has become highly competitive as Information Communication Technologies (ICT) continue to evolve and information service providers appear to take over the functions of Libraries. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for disaster emergency preparedness by all libraries and outcomes of such situations which could affect how information is disseminated. Effective leadership at different levels has become the vital factor needed for libraries to remain relevant and excel in the 21st century learning and information sector.

In full understanding of the above, the African Library and Information Associations and Institutions has reconfigured the AfLIA Leadership Academy into two major ways;

The Academy is now to include all library types.
Content is rejigged to include equipping librarians with basic knowledge on how to sharpen disaster and emergency preparedness plans for their libraries and exigencies such as learning and information dissemination in online spaces.

The Leadership Academy aims at supporting middle-level managers in African libraries of all types to be proactive, well-grounded and innovative leaders in their Libraries and user communities. The Moodle platform will be used for lectures, assignments and interactions.

AfLIA therefore invites applications from librarians working in all Library types to participate in the 3^rd Cohort of the 9-month AfLIA Leadership Academy due to begin with an online mini-symposium in September 2020.

Each participant will be expected to pay an amount of $1000.00 (One Thousand US Dollars) upon admission to cover tuition, meals and materials during the face to face convening. The participants are expected to self-sponsor (transportation and accommodation) to the 2-day face to face convening and graduation ceremony which will be held at the 2021 AfLIA Conference in Accra, Ghana as WHO has indicated that there will be no return to the “old normal” for the foreseeable future.

AfLIA will hold her biennial conference in May 2021 observing all the rules of engagement and protocols necessary for stopping the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Expectation

Participants after going through the AfLIA Leadership Academy are expected to;

Understand the nature and requirements of effective leadership including an introspect into one’s leadership style, self-development and emotional intelligence skills,
Gain a deep understanding of how to manage change and how to effectively carry out civic engagement;
Recognize how to build social capital and apply the concept of Asset Based Community Development using the assets within their communities to bring about positive change;
Understand the opportunities offered and challenges posed by partnering with both library and non-library organisations, and
Form a network of engaged and transforming library leaders ready to lead in taking their National and the African Development agendas forward.
Have an overview of how to manage disasters, pandemics, and their outcomes, e.g. COVID-19 pandemic

Criteria Qualifying one to Apply:

Must be working in an African library of any type.
Must have at least three years of experience at managerial level.
Must be able to read and write in English because the course is in English.
Must have documented support from his/her organization.
Must be an active member of the local library association.
The institution to which he/she belongs must be a member of AfLIA.
Must have ability to use online platforms for communication and belonging to virtual communities
Must have demonstrated leadership qualities.

Mode of Application

An interested applicant should;

Download and complete the attached form by typing in the required information.
Submit a scanned endorsement letter from his/her library, on the Library’s letter headed paper and signed by the Head of the institution or his/her representative indicating commitment to pay the $1000.00 upon admission. This letter should be sent along with the Form.
Return the completed Form on or before 31st August 2020. The completed Form and all necessary attachments should be submitted to secretariat@aflia.net with a copy to programofficer@aflia.net

Please click here to download the application form

NOTE: PERSONS WHO HAVE APPLIED EARLIER (DURING THE FIRST CALL) DO NOT NEED TO APPLY AGAIN.