SYNERGY 2010 PARTICIPANTS ANNOUNCED

[source: E-News from the ISL February 5, 2010]
Congratulations to the following individuals selected to take part in Synergy: The Illinois Library Leadership Initiative 2010, the statewide library community's movement to recruit and nurture future Illinois library leaders.
*Anthony Auston, Palatine Public Library District
*Emily R. Compton-Dzak, Deerfield Public Library
*John I. Ericson, Schaumburg Township District Library
*John R. Fischer, Bloomington Public Library
*Sue Foster, Rock Island Public Library
*Ryan A. Franklin, Mattoon Public Library
*Jeanne Hamilton, Helen Matthes Library, Effingham
*Liz M. Hubert, Barrington Area Library
*Lauren A. Jensen, Monmouth College Hewes Library, Monmouth
*Robert Jones, Illinois State Library
*Esmeralda M. Kale, Herskovits Library of African Studies, Northwestern University
*Susan L. Kunkle, Forest Park Public Library
*Kathy M. Ladell, Northlake Public Library District
*Heather Love Beverley, Cook Memorial Public Library District, Libertyville
*Laura A. Lowe, Des Plaines Valley Public Library District, Lockport Branch Library, Lockport
*Dianne L. Ludwig, Addison Public Library
*Kathy Lynch, Chase Elementary School, Chicago
*Courtney Anne O'Keefe, Des Plaines Public Library
*Susan B. Parsons, Plainfield Public Library District
*Kerrin K. Riley, Hinsdale Central High School
*Christine M. Ross, Brookens Library, University of Illinois at Springfield
*Deborah Shippy, Moline Public Library
*Anne Slaughter, Oak Park Public Library
*Liz Steffensen, Huntley Area Public Library
*Carrie Straka, Vernon Area Public Library District, Lincolnshire
*Penny S. Sympson, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., Northbrook
*Andrea L. Vernola, Woodstock Public Library
*Eric Werthmann, Acorn Public Library, Oak Forest
*Frances Whaley, Jacobs Library, Illinois Valley Community College, Oglesby
*Rita Ziemlo Perona, Elmhurst Public Library
The first three-day Synergy seminar will take place April 20-22 at Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center in Utica. Synergy is sponsored by Shawnee Library System, the Illinois State Library and the Illinois Library Association.

Enneagram Workshop by Ginger Lapid-Bogda / April 2008

Upcoming Workshop of Interest to Synergists!

What Type of Leader are You? Using the Enneagram to Identify and Grow Your Leadership Strenghts and Achieve Maximum Success

Presented by Ginger Lapid-Bogda, Ph.D., internationally known consultant, Enneagram teacher, and author (books recommended in Becky and John's bibliography)

Based on material from Lapid-Bogda's book What Type of Leader Are You?, this program will explore in-depth three topics -- striving for self-mastery, becoming an excellent communicator, and making optimal decisions -- through interactive activities, self-assessments, practical theories, and self-development activities.

The workshop presumes some knowledge of the nine Enneagram personality styles. It is designed for leaders at all levels and is useful for anyone wanting to increase their self-mastery, communication, and decision-making skills.

DATE:
April 26-27 (9am to 4pm each day) -- Register by April 21

LOCATION:
Hussey Lounge (10th floor of Damen Hall)
Lake Shore Campus of Loyola University
6525 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago

COST:
$100 (includes materials, continental breakfast, and afternoon refreshments

MORE INFORMATION:
Jerome Wagner 847.492.1690 or jwagner5@aol.com

Leadership Styles / FastCompany.com

The March 2008 issue of Fast Company has an interesting little feature called "The Journal-ist," in which author James Kuczmarski offers abstracts on articles from four academic journals. Each of the articles focuses on a skill or trait of "top-notch" leaders in the 21st century. The four skills are curiosity, charisma, understanding the physiology of the brain (!), and ability to adapt.

You can read the article online at http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/123/the-journal-ist-in-the-lead.html.

And the librarian in me couldn't resist finding citations for the articles Kuczmarski references. So if you're interested in a bit more indepth reading on these topics, check out:

"The Role of Curiosity in Global Managers' Decision-Making""
Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, Vol. 13, No. 3, 43-58 (2007)
Michael Harvey, University of Mississippi & Bond University (Australia)[et. al.]

"The Two Faces of Transformational Leadership: Empowerment and Dependency"
Journal of Applied Psychology 2003, vol. 88, no2, pp. 246-255
Boas Shamir, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem [et. al.]

"The Neuroscience of Leadership" (available through ProQuest ERIC #:EJ778221)
Reclaiming Children and Youth: The Journal of Strength-based Interventions, v16 n3 p10-17 Fall 2007
David Rock and Jeffrey Schwartz

"Leadership Harvard Style" (available through ILL / see Article First)
Australian Journal of Public Administration, Volume 66, Number 4, December 2007 , pp. 507-511
Stephen Bouwhuis

Melissa Henderson
Synergy 2006

2008 SYNERGY PARTICIPANTS ANNOUNCED

Congratulations to the 30 men and women selected to participate in Synergy: The Illinois Library Leadership Initiative 2008. This year's participants will be:

Shirley Bennett, Columbia College Chicago Library
Julie Blackwell, Carol Stream Public Library
Karen Bounds, Centralia High School
Brian Chase, Normal Public Library
Christina Conklin, Moline Public Library
Julie Dahl, University of St. Francis
Jane Easterly, Galesburg Public Library
Veyshon Edmond, Chicago Public Library
Cheryl Goza-Smith, Illinois State Library
Angela Green, Alliance Library System
Karen Hansen, Morton Grove Public Library
Maggie Hommel, Park Ridge Public Library
Heather Jagman, DePaul University
Patrice Johnson, Chicago Public Library
Paul Keith, Chicago Public Library
Richard Kong, Skokie Public Library
Annette Mills, Triad High School
Lisa Morrison-Korajczyk, Steger/South Chicago Heights Public Library
Douglas Orlyk, Bensenville Community Public Library District
Amy Peterson, Schaumburg Township District Library
Kathy Ruck, Melzer Elementary School
Kuntala (Tuki) Sathaye, Itasca Community Library
Laurie Sauer, Knox College Library
Carol Schrey, Franklin Grove Public Library
Cason Snow, Founders Memorial Library
Diane Srebro, Orland Park Public Library
Lynne Thomas, Founders Memorial Library 402A
Dianna Wiggins, Global Consumer & Business Insights Information Center
Alissa Williams, Pekin Public Library
Harriett Zipfel, Belleville Public Library

Terrific Topics at Dominican University

Dominican University GSLIS is offering a terrific series of lectures on the theme of Emerging Library Leaders for the 21st Century. From January through April, topics include grant writing, advocacy, leadership skills, and more. And the speaker line up is terrific: John Berry (LJ Editor), Kathryn Deiss (ACRL/ALA), Emily Sheketoff (ALA Washington Office), and more!

Additionally, two major annual lectures are also on offer this Spring. The 2008 Follett Lecture on the importance of libraries in the life of young children is coming up on February 6; the current Follett Chair (and lecturer on the 6th) is Steve Herb, former president of ALSC. On April 16, Rosalind Picard, MIT Media Lab, will present the 2008 Lazerow Lecture on technology and emotional intelligence.

Check out the GSLIS News & Events page for more information.

Synergists nominated for positions on ILA board

The nominating committee of the Illinois Library Association (ILA) has named eight candidates for the four directors-at-large positions on the Board of Directors; five of the eight candidates are Synergy alums:

Betsy Adamowski, Itasca Community Library (2005)
Diana Brawley-Sussman, Southern Illinois Talking Book Center-(2002)
Terry Cottrell, University of St. Francis Library (2006)
Amy Falasz-Peterson, Fondulac District Library (2002)
Ted Schwitzner, Illinois State University (2003)

Be sure to congratulate your fellow Synergists on being selected to run for office. And, ILA Members, be sure to vote between April 1 - 30, 2008.

For more information, see page 26 of the February 2008 issue of The ILA Reporter (which also has a cover story by Synergy mentor, Jane Chamberlain of the Bloomington Public Library!)

OCLC Leadership Symposium / PLA Blog / Libraries as Third Spaces

Hi, all....

I think Synergists will be interested in the postings from the OCLC Leadership Symposium; the first day's notes can be found on the PLA blog.

Here's one tasty morsel to whet your appetite:

A library’s mission is not about books–never was. But it’s also not about information. It is about people connecting people to resources of all kinds needed for learning and critical thinking and (hopefully) knowledge. from a presentation by Dr. Rush Miller, author of Beyond Survival: Managing Academic Libraries in Transition

This reminded me of two of my favorite ideas/comments about libraries (NOT from PLA blog/OCLC symposium)

Libraries are about transformation...not information -- paraphrase -- Omar Wasow, tech guru and founder of BlackPlanet.net, has spoken on this topic at many library conferences. I first heard the quote in a presentation at ILA 2006 by George Needham of OCLC.

Mary Dempsey (commissioner of the Chicago Public Library) is not in the library business; she is in the Chicago business -- paraphrase - Joey Rodger, then head of the Urban Libraries Council, said this at the CPL 2003 Scholars in Residence program commenting on how Comm. Dempsey ensures that CPL is a contributing member in every important discussion in the city.

Melissa Henderson, Synergy 2006

Synergists Speak Out @ ILA

The Synergists Speak Out panel presentation was just as Pat Norris promised; it was a “totally Synergy” experience. Members of each of the past six Synergy classes and a mentor informally responded to questions on topics such as the value of community outreach and balancing personal and professional responsibilities.

Panelists were: Diana Brawley Sussman (2002) Director, Southern Illinois Talking Book Center, Shawnee Library System; Pattie Piotrowski (2003) Assistant Dean for Public Services, Paul Galvin Library, Illinois Institute of Technology; Jane Ehrenhart (2004) Supervisor, Reference & Technical Services, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library; Catherine J. Yanikowski (2005) Librarian, Bishop McNamara High School; Terry Cottrell (2006) Library Director, University of St. Francis; and Brenda McGlohon (2002 and Mentor 2006, 2007) Assistant Commissioner, Chicago Public Library.

After the panel discussion, program participants broke into small groups and discussed issues that matter to them and what they have done or can do to affect these issues. Reflecting the audience and Synergy participation as a whole, my small group had participants from all types of libraries and all levels of staff, from directors to line staff.

As with my Synergy experience, I came away with new thinking. Panelists reframed questions and presented fresh, alternative ways of looking at issues I have been considering for some time. I hope that the folks at the State Library and ILA will offer this panel again and I encourage former Synergists to attend. You're sure to walk away with a new idea, a new contact, a new perspective...just like your Synergy sessions!

- Melissa Henderson, Synergy 2006

Synergy Revisted - ILA

I just wanted to thank Mary Adamowski, Bryan Blank and Jennifer Groth for setting up Synergy Revisited. It was great to meet Synergists from other years and reconnect with Synergists from my own year (2006). It was a fabulous time! I can't wait to see what they come up with next.

If you would like to help with the next Synergy event, please leave a comment or contact one of the Event committee members.

K. Kenney

Synergists Speak Out Program at ILA

Please Come!!! Please Participate!!!! Join Our Synergy!!!!

If you are attending the upcoming ILA Conference in Springfield, please mark your calendars to attend "Synergists Speak Out: Making A Difference in Your Library, Profession, and Community." The program will be held on Wednesday, October 10th, 9:00 - 10:30 am in Room B-1, Prairie Capital Convention Center. A stellar panel representing the first five years of Synergy: Diana Brawley Sussman (Year 1), Pattie Piotrowski (Year 2), Jane Ehrenhart (Year 3), Catherine Yanikoski (Year 4), Terry Cottrell (Year 5), and Brenda McGlohon (Year 1 and Mentor two years) will speak.

This program will be interactive, yes, INTERACTIVE! And we need you to help make the "synergy" strong! Come to represent your Synergy year and to meet up with your Synergy colleagues! We will be discussing the importance of getting involved, leading, following, and balancing leadership with personal lives.....and much, much more.

Bring your colleagues who might be interested in applying to attend future Synergy sessions! Bring emerging leaders who need a nudge to become more involved!

Don't forget to wear your Synergy pin during the ILA Conference, and be sure to pick up a red Synergy ribbon at the Registration Desk to attach to your conference name badge.

Please call/e-mail Pat Norris (or any of the panelists as well) if you have any questions about this program. We all hope to see you at this program and at the ILA Conference.

Synergy Illinois Committee Members

We've been getting some great feedback from Synergists and Mentors alike about Synergy Illinois and I just want to mention the committee members from Synergy year 2006 who have worked hard to make it all come about.

The Events Committee includes Jennifer Groth, Brian Blank and Mary Adamowski
The Membership Committee includes Sara McCambridge, Kristine Kenney, Loretta Broomfield, Kate Hall, Dawn Cassady, Merideth Willett, Scott Pointon and Tina Carter.
The Newsletter Committee includes Kate Hall, Melissa Henderson and Kristine Kenney
The Planning Committee includes Melissa Henderson, Kristine Kenney and Terry Cottrell

Synergy Meetup in DC

Monday, June 25 at 7 PM at Dukem Restaurant.

It's located on 12th and U Street NW, next to the Cordoza U Street metro station. It's a couple of miles from the convention center, so it's just a short cab or metro ride away.

According to the Chowhound message boards, Dukem is one of the best Ethiopian restaurants in DC, and it should be able to accomodate our group easily! Here's a link to the Dukem web site:
http://www.dukemrestaurant.com/index2.html
If you've never had Ethiopian food before, you are in for a treat.

Please see your ISL-All-Synergy mailing list for RSVP information.

2007 Synergy Class Announced

Congratulations to the librarians who have been selected to participate in the 2007 class of Synergy:
Ely M. Anderson, Library of Rush University Leslie M. Bednar, Lewis & Clark Library System Stephanie M. Bonjack, VanderCook College of Music, Ruppel Library Christine M. Cahill, Carrie Busey Elementary School, Champaign Jane W. Candela, Packer Engineering, Inc. Lauren Collen, Niles Public Library District Amber Creger, Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Branch James A. DiDonato, Round Lake Area Public Library District R. Toby Greenwalt, Westmont Public Library Jacob Hill, Elmhurst College, A. C. Buehler Library Katharine James, Illinois State University, Milner Library Gary W. Jones, Southeastern Illinois College Pamela Kloser, Joliet Public Library, Black Road Branch Jannette La Roche, Moline Public Library Portia Latalladi, Chicago Public Library, Garfield Ridge Branch Nancy R. Maloney, BP America, Inc. Halle Mikyska, Kane County Law Library Rob Morrison, University Library-Chicago Campus, National-Louis UnivGeoffrey W. Morse, Northwestern University Library Karolyn Ann Nance, Fremont Public Library District Lisa Y. Pappas, Plainfield Public Library District Lisa Poignant, Chillicothe Public Library District Maria Pontillas, Glenview Public Library Blaine Redemer, Illinois State Library Melissa (Missy) Roser, DePaul University, John T. Richardson Library Lisa Sarm, Lincoln Public Library, Springfield Molly Scanlan, Benton Public Library DistrictBrian Shepard, Arlington Heights Memorial LibraryHeidi Richter Smith, Waukegan Public LibraryBryan Vogh, National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Greater Midwest Region