NCLA: North Carolina Library Association

06/30/2026

The NCLA Leadership Institute Planning Committee is excited to announce our 2026 cohort. The incoming class has already shown themselves to be a thoughtful and dedicated group of professionals.


Liz Ayscue, Wake County Public Libraries
Tracy Bagnato, Wake County Public Libraries
Emily Cheney, Franklin County Public Library
Breanne Crumpton, Appalachian State University
Kelley Cunningham, Cabarrus County Public Library
Elizabeth Ellis, Wake Forest University
Kelli Goodwin, Iredell County Public Library
Phoebe Greene, University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Melissa Haderlie, Brunswick County Library System
Joan Hill, Winston Salem State University
Hannah Holmes, Campbell University
Candace Jacobs, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Mardia Jacobs, Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library
Rachel Koury, Harnett County Public Library System
Lauren Ksa, High Point University
Harris Mason, Randolph County Public Libraries
Tiffany Messer-Bass, Lenoir-Rhyne University
Sarah Morris, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Kit O'Hern, Western Carolina University
Shelley Orr, Catawba County Library System
Caroline Peterson, Durham County Library
Sam Sfirri, Wake Forest University
Jennifer Smith, Alamance Community College
Allie Snyder, Polk County Public Libraries
Anna Monroe-Stover, Onslow County Public Library
Joselyn Williams, Harnett County Public Libraries

The NCLA Leadership Institute Planning Committee would also like to recognize this year’s mentors. They are graduates of the 2024 class, and will be guiding our participants throughout both the institute and the following year before going on to become the 2028 Leadership Institute Planning Committee.

Jordan Conner, Wake County Public Libraries
Joseph Davis, Charlotte Mecklenburg Library
Michael Harris, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Sophie Hollis, NC LIVE
Amy Weber, Iredell County Public Library
Ciera Williams, Durham County Library

Please join us in congratulating the 2026 cohort of the NCLA Leadership Institute!

04/02/2026

The deadline for Leadership Institute applications has been extended until Friday, April 10th, at 5 pm! If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

Use this form to apply to participate in the 2026 NCLA Leadership Institute. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]. The institute will take place in Black Mountain, NC from September 28 to October 1, 2026. Applications are due on Friday, April 3, 2026. Decisions will be s...

03/31/2026

ICYMI: Applications for the 2026 Leadership Institute are due this week! There is still time to apply. Get started on your application materials today!

The Leadership Institute is a flagship program of NCLA, a year-long adventure with a mission to create opportunities for learning and skill building in leadership and mentoring. The program kicks off in September 2026 with a four-day residential experience in Black Mountain, North Carolina, and wraps up at the NCLA Biennial Conference in October 2027. In between these events, participants work on an individual project of their choosing that will benefit their home library and are guided by formal mentors affiliated with the Institute. A mid-year in-person meeting in April 2027 provides a halfway mark to help participants keep up the momentum in the program and their projects.

This year’s Institute will be held September 28 - October 1, 2026, at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, NC. Applications are due by Friday, April 3, 2026 and decisions will be sent out to all applicants, regardless of selection status, by the end of May 2026.

Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/u/2/d/e/1FAIpQLSeFYGeLYWdYZ0lihjr4GqT_hoaOlJiCYaww4h4mWzHEXOSHCw/viewform?usp=header

Use this form to apply to participate in the 2026 NCLA Leadership Institute. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]. The institute will take place in Black Mountain, NC from September 28 to October 1, 2026. Applications are due on Friday, April 3, 2026. Decisions will be s...

01/30/2026

There's still time to apply for the eastern cohort! Please apply by Sunday, February 1 at 5 pm to be considered.

𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗙 (𝗟𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽) 𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻-𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱! 🍃 📚

NC IDEA, in partnership with NC LIVE and BLINC, is proud to bring you LEAF — a statewide fellowship that recognizes the vital role libraries play in supporting entrepreneurs and businesses across .

This fully funded hybrid fellowship empowers library professionals to grow their confidence, expand their knowledge, and strengthen their ability to serve as local catalysts for economic development. LEAF positions libraries as vibrant hubs of entrepreneurial activity and community support.

📚 Are you a librarian or library staff member in looking to support your local business community in new ways? This opportunity may be for YOU!

🗓 Application Period: January 9th - February 1st 5 PM
🔗 Learn more and apply: https://ncidea.org/nc-idea-mindset/
Watch the LEAF Video: https://bit.ly/42AM4CL

01/27/2026

There's still time to register for the NCLA Leadership Institute virtual info session. The information session will take place via Zoom at 12 noon. Use the link below to get started.

Can't make the live session? No problem! A recording of the session will be available.

For assistance, please email [email protected]. You will receive a link to the session after filling out this form. Session date/time: January 27, 2026 from 12pm to 1pm EST

10/17/2025

Are you interested in learning more about the NCLA Leadership Institute? Don't forget to stop by Winston 2 beginning at 9 am today to learn more and connect with members of the 2024 cohort!

Congratulations again to the 2024 cohort - you did it!

10/17/2025

Thank you to everyone who attended the All-Conference Reception this evening, and congratulations to all award winners!

We hope you will join us at the Benton Convention Center for the final day of the Conference.

10/16/2025

Don't forget to stop by the Conference store booth in the Exhibit Hall to pick up some swag!

T-Shirts: $23
Coffee Mugs: $12
Tote Bags: $8
Stress Relievers: $4
Highlighters: $2
Raffle Tickets: $2

Other items are priced individually

Cash, Card, and Apple Pay accepted

10/16/2025

Thank you to everyone who attended a session or the Ogilvie lecture this morning! We hope you have a wonderful rest of the day connecting with colleagues and vendors from across the state.

Join us later this evening for the All Conference Reception at the Forsyth County Central Library!

📍660 W 5th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
🕰️ 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm