National Library News

October/November 1996, vol. 28, nos. 10-11

Northern Exposure to Leadership: Mission Accomplished

by Claire Bourassa, Government and Law Specialist, Reference and Information Services Division

The “Northern Exposure to Leadership” institute, also known as the NEL institute, was held in the delightful setting of Yoho National Park, British Columbia, from February 15 to 20, 1996. For almost a week, the rooms of Emerald Lake Lodge resounded with the exchanges of the 26 participants (see list of participants) led by a team of mentors, guides and facilitators.

This second NEL institute happened thanks to the perseverance and commitment of its founder, Ernie Ingles, Associate Vice-President, Learning Systems, University of Alberta, as well as the support provided by his colleagues and friends, and the generous financial contribution from Dynix: An Ameritech Company.

The first NEL institute was held from September 29 to October 4, 1994 (see Susan Haigh’s article, “Northern Exposure to Leadership Institute”, National Library News, vol. 27, no. 1, January 1995, pp. 5-7). This year’s similar location, program, and team of mentors, guides, facilitators and organizers provided an opportunity, equal to the first, to gain valuable experience and learning. Drawing from the experience of their first NEL institute, mentors were enthusiastic to discover participants full of confidence and ready to take up the challenge of leading the librarianship profession into the 21st century.

Using exercises, presentations and sessions with the mentors, guides and facilitators, we fully explored the notions of vision, creativity, communication, power, risk and leadership style. The hands-on exercises, moments of reflection and lively exchanges of information, gave us opportunities to define ourselves within the group and to understand our reactions and behaviour in certain situations better. The mentors, guides and facilitators shared with us their career paths in the group sessions called “Northern Reflections”. Meetings at a more personal level enabled us to form deeper relationships, discuss personal concerns, and draw from their vast experience. Their availability, readiness to listen and advice made all the difference.

Generally speaking, this NEL institute brought together all the elements conducive to gaining, strengthening and exercising our leadership skills. We also acquired a broader, more global vision of librarianship and of the world in general, as well as the will to innovate and bring about change. It is very difficult, however, to measure to what degree our involvement in this institute changed our methods and our vision of librarianship.

As Donna Brockmeyer-Klebaum, Coordinator of the NEL institute, stated, “The gestalt of these intensive five days often results in learning much more than we think we have (and we think we have learned a great deal). Sometimes, however, the internalization of concepts remains latent for some time.” ¹ Often in our daily professional duties, when we least expect it, a boost of energy surfaces.

It is up to us as participants to take hold of and use the development tools made available during the institute. In this regard, several initiatives point to the success of the NEL institute and are worth noting. The first was the creation of a special NEL alumni fund, designed to cover the costs of one participant. To this I am deeply indebted since it enabled me to take part in the NEL institute.

The second NEL institute also enabled its participants to show their own initiative and leadership. We note, for example, the creation of a list server on the Internet. This discussion list, accessible only to the participants, allows us to stay in touch, strengthen ties and exchange views. A multidisciplinary task force was also created to explore ways of promoting library awareness across Canada, such as by establishing a national holiday or a National Library Week. ² Finally, funds will once again be raised to help one librarian attend the next NEL institute to be held in the Fall 1997.

By way of conclusion, I would like to thank Ernie Ingles, the mentors, guides, facilitators and organizers, who gave us guidance and support, and the Dynix firm for its financial support. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to the alumni of the first NEL institute. Their generous contribution made it possible for me to take part in this unforgettable adventure which, strictly from a personal point of view, contributed greatly to my professional development. Finally, I would like to encourage libraries and organizations working in the library sciences to support any of their librarians with leadership potential by sponsoring their participation in the next Northern Exposure to Leadership institute.

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¹ Brockmeyer-Klebaum, Donna, “Leadership Institutes: The Living Legacy They Can and Can’t Leave”, Feliciter, October 1995, p. 20.

² For more information on the activities of this task force, contact Dean Giustini (Foothills Hospital Library, Tom Baker Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB; email: giustini@acs.ucalgary.ca).