Fiona Casida, K-12 Library & Media Coordinator for the Copley-Fairlawn School District was selected as one of 22 new Lilead Fellows from a competitive, nationwide pool of applicants. The Lilead Fellows Program is a unique, nationally recognized professional development opportunity designed to empower, enable, and equip school district library supervisors to think differently and creatively about library programs and education and to be effective and inspirational leaders in their districts. The Fellows work collaboratively with peers and mentors from districts across the country. They are charged with thinking critically and differently about the impact school libraries can make on all members of their school communities. The 22 new Fellows announced on April 10th join the first cohort of 25 Fellows, who began the program in January 2015.
After meeting virtually in early May, the second Fellows cohort, the five Lilead Mentors, and the Lilead Project Team will meet formally for the first time in July in Norfolk, Virginia for a 3-day Summer Institute. At the Institute, the Fellows will begin work with each other and in their Mentor groups. They will spend time reflecting on and discussing the purpose of school libraries in their districts and begin building a framework for implementing transformational changes in schools throughout their districts, regions, and states. After the Summer Institute, the cohort will continue to meet virtually and in face-to-face meetings through June 2018. In addition, the cohort will enroll in online classes focused on the transformational change process, building collaborative teams, evidence-based practice, and strengthening communication skills during the 2017-18 school year.
The Lilead Project Team members are delighted to have the opportunity to work with Fiona Casida and know that she will make a significant difference in her school district and in the library field as a whole.
For more information about the Lilead Project, visit http://lileadproject.org.
About the Lilead Fellows Program: The Lilead Fellows Program, with funding from IMLS, will provide an intensive 18-month long professional development program for 22 school district library supervisors. The program will focus on developing leadership skills in integrating information literacy instruction, technology use, and advocacy for library programs. Learn more by following us on Twitter.
About the Institute for Museum and Library Services: The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
