Jefferson City Library Phillips Completes First Year of Public Library Management Program

Donna Phillips

Jefferson City Public Library would like to congratulate Mrs. Donna Phillips, Assistant Library Director, for being accepted and successfully completing the first year of The Public Library Management Program. Mrs. Phillips is one of twenty-four (24) Library directors/branch managers to be accepted into this Public Library Institute.

This is an intensive training program that increases their knowledge of library leadership and increases their understanding of the unique role libraries fulfill in their communities. The Public Library Management Program and its annual week long Institute, started in 1995, is a three-year program for library directors who do not have master’s degrees. The program is run by the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

Each year, participants gather at Fall Creek Falls State Park for a week of intense training sessions and networking with fellow library directors/branch managers in similar situations.

Mrs. Phillips and her classmates also, attended an orientation at The Tennessee State Library, Nashville, TN on October 9, 2013. Some of the guest speakers were Secretary of State of Tennessee Tre Hargett, Tennessee State Librarian and Archivist Charles (Chuck) Sherrill, Director of Regional Libraries Lynette Sloan as well as many others.

All participants are from small towns all over the state. Participants continue the work online throughout the year.  “Over the years of the program, library directors develop skills in public speaking, personnel management, using technology effectively and managing change, among other things,” State Librarian and Archivist Chuck Sherrill said. “All of these skills are essential for guiding public libraries through their transition into the digital era.”

The program has graduated 157 people since its founding.