2026 NCLA Leadership Institute

The NCLA Leadership Institute is a flagship program of the North Carolina Library Association (NCLA), supported by the State Library of North Carolina. It is an intensive four-day residential leadership training program designed to create opportunities for learning and skill building in leadership and mentoring. The program involves a four-day residential experience, a one-year commitment to a group mentor/mentee relationship, an individual project benefiting the participant's home library, and a mid-year in-person follow-up session. It wraps up at the NCLA Biennial Conference in October 2027, where participants are encouraged to attend. The institute aims to cultivate an improved understanding of self and others, and inspire participants to serve in leadership roles. Participants will explore emotional intelligence, self-awareness, effective communication, and the value of change, demonstrating leadership qualities independent of title or position.