ABILENE, Texas Seventeen library directors from CCCU institutions met at Abilene Christian University (TX) July 17-19, 2008, for the fifth annual Snezek Library Leadership Institute. The event was hosted by Abilene Christian University library personnel and J. Mark Tucker, dean of library and information resources.
The Snezek Institute was very refreshing, says Jane Hopkins, director of library at Greenville College (IL). It provided an impetus to do some quality professional reading and to 'come aside' to discuss the pressing issues facing the academic library in these times of rapid technological change, in a supportive atmosphere among other CCCU library directors.
With several readings in advance, library directors deliberated and conversed on a range of topics such as futurist studies and strategic foresight, developing shared vision, staffing and directorship succession issues, LibQual+ and library assessment, and the changing nature of physical resource collections. As in previous years, the discussions, though intense, were marked by respect and charity, attesting to the participants' common alliance in Christ. Several first-time participants remarked on the distinctive character and dynamic of this professional development opportunity, noting the special tone that reflective group devotions each morning contributed to the exchange. A late Friday afternoon session was marked by a conference call with Paul Snezek, former and long-time library director at Wheaton College, in honor of whom the Institute is named. A link to the schedule is available here: http://ppsinst.googlepages.com/2008snezekinstituteschedule.
Dan Bowell, university librarian at Taylor University (IN) and program organizer of the Institute, describes this Institute as possibly the best one yet. "The collegiality and camaraderie were notably rich at this Institute, he says. We witnessed substantive professional exchange in a climate of genuine interpersonal interest and edification cloaked in splendid hospitality provided by our Abilene Christian University hosts."
Sara Baron, library director at Regent University (VA), says the highlight of the event was meeting and dialoguing with colleagues who face similar professional challenges and rewards. Because of this Institute, the readings and resulting conversations, I have a new philosophy about my own leadership at Regent University Library as well as the importance of strategically thinking about the future in terms of the library's mission and staffing needs, says Baron.
The 2009 Snezek Institute is planned for mid-July and is to be hosted by Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, Ga.
The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities is a higher education association of more than 180 intentionally Christ-centered institutions around the world. There are now 105 member campuses in North America and all are fully-accredited, comprehensive colleges and universities with curricula rooted in the arts and sciences. In addition, 77 affiliate campuses from 24 countries are part of the CCCU. The Councils mission is to advance the cause of Christ-centered higher education and to help its institutions transform lives by faithfully relating scholarship and service to biblical truth.
-30-