BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Monmouth College Public Services Librarian Lauren Jensen, Illinois Wesleyan class of 2005, is one of 30 Illinois librarians selected to participate in Synergy: The Illinois Library Leadership Initiative, a year-long program designed to develop future leaders in the library profession and in the Illinois community.
Jensen will attend Synergy seminars and work with other library community members April 20 to April 22 in Utica, August 3 to August 5 in Grafton and October 26 to October 28 in Lisle. The Illinois State Library and the Illinois Library Association sponsor the seminars.
The group of 30 librarians will attend three sessions with other developing leaders, experienced Illinois library leaders and nationally recognized speakers. The goal of the program is for each individual to develop leadership skills that can be applied in local, state and global arenas.
“I am thrilled that Lauren has been selected to participate in this unique endeavor,” said Illinois State Library Director Anne Craig. “Synergy participants will be exposed to new strategies and new ways of thinking about the future of the library profession. We must be proactive and seek out new library leaders and keep our libraries growing and vibrant in the coming years. I am confident that Lauren and our other Synergy participants will help us chart a course for the future that encourages citizens to enter the library profession and become library leaders, while maintaining our libraries as cornerstones of our communities.”