Welcome to California’s library leadership initiative. Catalyst is a cohort-based 18-month program designed to equip and support California library workers with development opportunities that allow them to lead from anywhere. (Please note that activities beyond the first year are contingent on available funding.)
2024 – 2025 Cohort Applications
Apply for the 2024-2025 Catalyst leadership cohort.
(Read-only version of the application.)
The application period will end on Wednesday, August 7 at 11:59 PM.
Anyone who is currently working in a California library is eligible to apply for the learning cohort. Those already in leadership positions, front-line library workers, and behind-the-scenes staff are all invited to apply. An MLIS degree is not required. We’re looking for people to lead from everywhere, and from any type of library!
Learn More
For more details about the learning experience, program benefits, important dates, and expectations, please see the Catalyst 2024-2025 FAQ.
Information Sessions
Register for a Catalyst Information Session.
These meetings will be recorded and made available through CALL Academy.
Office Hours
Office Hours are available between July 8 and August 7 for you to ask questions and receive one-on-one support from a friendly Catalyst team member.
2023 – 2024 Cohort
- Joe Ayala, Sonoma County Library
- Cloud Bell, San Mateo County Libraries
- Ruby Buentello, Yolo County Library
- Eric Castro, Carpinteria Community Library
- Kyla Carroll, Sacramento Public Library
- Rosa Cesaretti, Pasadena Public Library
- Danielle Davis, Grossmont College Library
- Gabriella Dixon, Santa Maria Public Library
- Glenda Gamboa, Los Angeles County Library
- Elizabeth (Liz) Garcia, San Mateo County Libraries
- Dorothy Gruett, San Luis Obispo County
- Yvette Herrera, Madera County Library
- Rene Hohls, Fort Bragg Unified School – Districtwide
- Erik Jones, Santa Ana Public Library
- Kari Leos, Stockton-San Joaquin County Public Library, Troke Branch Library
- Isariya Locke, Fresno County Library
- Heidi Mark, Los Angeles Public Library, Sylmar Branch
- Andriana Martin, Lodi Public Library
- Jovanah Martinez-Hoboo, Cutten Elementary School Library
- Terezita Overduin, Chaffey College Library
- Lauren Patterson, Riverside County Law Library
- Christy Ricky Meister, San Diego Public Library, Ocean Beach Branch
- Elsie Rivas, San Diego Public Library
- Alicia Rodriguez, Los Angeles Public Library
- Valerie Tohom, Los Angeles Public Library
More information about the Catalyst Cohort Participants is available.
Program Coordinators
- Maddy Walton-Hadlock
- Akiliah Manuel
Other Leadership Opportunities
Many people are interested in developing leadership skills and experience for a variety of reasons. If you are not able to participate in the Catalyst cohort this year, or are not selected, CALL continues to support your leadership aspirations. Through Leadership for All, CALL provides opportunities for everyone. Anyone who works in a California library can benefit from these grant-funded webinars, courses, and workshops. All California library workers are invited to visit the CALL events calendar and look for the professional development and leadership learning opportunities under the Leadership for All banner.
You will also find self-paced learning opportunities around leadership in CALL Academy under the Leadership/Management category, and a compiled list of resources.
To improve communication you can choose to receive regular messages focused on only Leadership for All opportunities. Subscribe below to opt in. Note: If you already receive CALL Letters on a weekly basis you can find all leadership opportunities there as well. Just look for this icon.
Information about the previous leadership programs – Developing Leaders in California Libraries and Leadership Challenge – is still available.