Jose Favian Rodriguez Class

This interactive workshop invites academic library leaders to examine the essential competencies that underpin effective leadership in diverse library contexts. Through engaging activities, participants will share their perceptions of leadership and explore how competencies vary in significance across different leadership roles—executive, team leader, and emergent leader. By fostering collaborative discussions, this workshop aims to cultivate a deeper understanding of the capabilities that drive effective leadership while providing participants with the opportunity to reflect on their own practices and skills development. Additionally, those in executive positions will consider strategies for developing future leaders within their organizations. Ultimately, participants will leave with enhanced insights into effective leadership in academic libraries, empowering them to implement meaningful changes in their leadership approach and to foster a culture of growth and collaboration in their institutions.

In 2024, I developed and launched a weeklong series of Earth Day–themed programs at the University of Miami Libraries, held from April 22–25. The initiative was inspired by a presentation I delivered for the UM Libraries Wellbeing Collective in fall 2023, during which I discussed my personal connection to plant cultivation and its role in fostering mental clarity and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Motivated by the positive response and the power of shared personal narratives, I sought to create a platform that would encourage staff, faculty, and community members to explore their own passions while engaging in meaningful conversations about sustainability, environmental stewardship, and personal wellness. This vision led to the creation of Earth Week at the UM Libraries, an annual program designed to cultivate community, promote environmental awareness, and support holistic well-being.