Leadership Through Learning: An Account of The University of Hong Kong Libraries Leadership Institute.

Abstract

In 2003, the University of Hong Kong Libraries launched its inaugural Library Leadership Institute. This residential leadership and management training experience is aimed at providing library directors and senior librarians from the East Asia region with the unique opportunity to develop new skills in the volatile area of innovative management and leadership in the information sector. Following four consecutively successful Institutes, this paper will draw on the experience gained in delivering such an Institute. With participants hailing from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and several other countries in the region, the author, who is also the principal organizer for the Institute and a regular facilitator, will briefly outline the purpose behind developing such an Institute for Asian librarians as well as an overview of the operations of the Institute. The paper will also discuss changing leadership needs of Asian librarians, as identified by participants of the Institute, and the degree to which such an Institute can realistically meet these needs. The paper will conclude with an overview of the likely future directioins for the Institute.