NELLS Leadership

NELLS 2025 Info | Tier 1: Emerging Leaders | Tier 2: Mid-Career Leadership | Tier 3: Advanced Leadership | Past NELLS Participants | NELLS Chair

NELLS 2025 Information - Tier 2: Emerging Leaders

To better serve all levels of library workers, NELLS is currently working with a three tiered approach. For 2025, the NELLS program will be for Tier 2 - NELLS: Mid-Career Librarianship. This program is designed for mid-career library professionals (3-15 years experience in or with libraries). The program focuses on the application of leadership theory to real-world library issues. A Master’s degree in Library Science is not required in order to participate.

This program will be facilitated by Jami Yazdani, MLIS, of Yazdani Consulting and Facilitation. Jami has more than fifteen years of experience in libraries in progressively responsible positions, including more than twelve years in leadership roles. She has delivered training to a wide range of professionals, from bankers to dermatologists to librarians.

The cohort will meet in person from May 12th - 15th at Von Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT.

Participants in this cohort are encouraged to reflect, consider best practices, plan for practical applications to their own environment, and connect with their peers. Topical sessions would blend training, active discussion, and participant reflection and sharing. Activity sessions will focus on individual and small-group brainstorming, discussion, and sharing.

The cost of this program is $875, which includes access to speakers, course materials, supplemental readings, food, parking, and lodging. Payment will be due by May 5.

The application deadline for NELLS 2025 is Friday, February 28th.

NELLS 2025 Application

Qualifications

Must be a NELA member.
Must be living or working in New England, or seeking employment in a New England library.
Must agree to abide by the NELA Code of Conduct.

Application Requirements & Instructions

To help applicants be ready to complete the NELLS application, please be sure that you have all of the information at hand.

Resume: A current resume with 1 - 2 additional names and contact information of people who would be willing to speak to your leadership potential. The selection committee will reach out to these references if more information is needed to make a decision.
Letter of Recommendation: One letter of recommendation from someone who can speak to your leadership qualities and contributions and address why you would make a good candidate for this program. There is no required length for letters, but generally do not need to be more than one page. You will be able to attach the letter directly to your application, or the writer can email it directly to the NELLS Chair, Kaitlin Stacey, at leadership-chair@nelib.org.
Anonymity: Please help the NELLS selection committee by maintaining your application's anonymity by avoiding the use of your name on your resume (except at the top) and avoiding the use of your current institution's name in both your resume AND your letter of recommendation. You can replace the institution's name with a general description, such as "academic library in a private university" or "mid-size public library."

NELLS 2025 Application

Tier 1 - NELLS: Emerging Leaders

This program is designed to be an introduction to library leadership. It is most appropriate for early to mid-career library workers who have demonstrated potential to become leaders in the field, or who aspire to hold leadership positions. A Master’s degree in Library Science is not required in order to participate.

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Tier 2 - NELLS II: Mid-Career Leadership

The purpose of this four-day intensive training program (previously known as NELLS I) is to foster the mentoring and development of leaders in state and regional library associations. NELLS II was created through a cooperative effort of the New England Library Association and all six New England state library associations. NELLS II was introduced for the first time in 2003.

The NELLS Tier 2 program is designed for library professionals in mid-career (3-15 years experience in or with libraries). The program focuses on the application of leadership theory to real-world library issues. Participants will focus on topics such as creating equitable workplaces/public spaces, leading through change, self-care, mentoring talent, developing a strong vision, building strong communities, resilience, and other topics that will nurture and mentor attendees as they prepare for senior leadership roles. Applicants must be NELA members in order to be considered for this program.

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Tier 3 - NELLS III: Advanced Leadership

The NELLS III (previously known as NELLS II) program is a three-day leadership program for library workers with 15 years or more experience (NELLS III) was offered for the first time in 2016 and again in 2018. Participation is NOT dependent on having attended a NELLS program in the past.

The cost is typically around $800 for 3 days, including lodging, all meals & materials.