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Who can participate in Catalyst?
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! A Catalyst participant might be a children’s librarian or associate who connects well with families; a library assistant who sees ways to improve customer policies; a library adult literacy coordinator who plays an active role in community partnerships and outreach; a branch manager who is learning to lead from the middle; a school library worker who must act as the library’s main advocate; or a librarian at a community college who enjoys building relationships among students, faculty, and library staff.
We encourage everyone to take a broad and open-minded view of who has leadership potential in their organization, then share this opportunity widely. A strong cohort will include library workers who bring different perspectives, strengths, and lived experiences to their work in libraries.
What are the benefits of participating in Catalyst?
Benefits to participation in the Catalyst leadership program include:
- Gaining leadership skills, such as communication, community engagement, facilitation, intercultural development, and community co-design.
- Dedicated time for reflection and application of new skills in a supportive learning community.
- Networking with California colleagues who represent a diversity of library positions and roles, and developing a relationship with a mentor.
- A deeper understanding of how to lead in a way that creates positive impact at the local, community, and state level.
What will the Catalyst learning experience be like?
Catalyst is designed to accommodate different learning styles and preferences. Learning will take place both synchronously (during live online meetings) and asynchronously (on participants’ own schedules). Activities include Zoom meetings, discussions, readings, live and self-paced courses, and practical opportunities to apply skills in a library and community setting. All members of the cohort will complete a set of required core courses delivered by various presenters.
Required monthly cohort meetings will be held on the third Friday of each month from 1:00–2:30 PM (starting on September 20, 2024) to encourage collaboration, reflection, and exchange of ideas.
As part of the program, participants will also choose additional learning events based on their individual goals, allowing for a customized experience.
For participation in the online sessions, we recommend participants have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, as well as access to a private space to engage in conversations.
Catalyst participants will be required to attend two in-person sessions: Tuesday, Oct. 13– Friday, Oct. 16 at the Asilomar conference center near Monterey, and a second meeting in March 2027 in Southern California (anticipated dates and location: March 10–12, 2027, San Diego; final dates and location are being confirmed.) There may also be an optional opportunity to present at the California Library Association conference in 2027, grant funding permitting. Travel costs for these in-person events, including transportation, hotel, and meals, will be covered by the program.
What should an applicant do if they have a conflict with the scheduled in-person meeting dates?
All Catalyst participants are required to attend the monthly cohort meetings, held the third Friday of each month from 1:00-2:30 PM. They should also be available for the in-person meetings scheduled for Oct. 13-16, 2026 in Pacific Grove, CA, and March 10-12, 2027 in San Diego. These meetings are crucial for building and maintaining a strong learning cohort. If an applicant has a conflict with these dates, they should wait until the following year to apply.
Will participants learn management skills?
Catalyst’s core courses will focus primarily on skills that relate to leadership, including communication, facilitation, navigating challenging situations, and community engagement. Individual participants in Catalyst will also have the opportunity to learn management skills, such as budgeting, supervision, and setting expectations, as part of their customized learning plan.
Additionally, California Libraries Learn (CALL) offers Leadership for All courses throughout the year. These courses cover a wide range of topics, including management skills like budgeting, supervision, and setting expectations. So even if you are not part of this year’s Catalyst cohort, there will be plenty of opportunities to enhance your leadership skills. The Leadership for All courses will also be available to all cohort participants and can be integrated into their individual learning plan.
How much time will participants be expected to put into the Catalyst program?
Program participants can expect to spend approximately 4 hours per week on Catalyst activities during the program, which runs from mid-September 2026 to mid-September 2027. It’s important to note that the time commitment may vary depending on the schedule of specific courses, with some weeks requiring less time and others requiring more.
Given that many Catalyst program activities will be scheduled during regular business hours, it is important for applicants to have the support of their organization, ensuring they have the necessary work time to attend meetings, participate in group events, and travel to the two in-person meetings. Participants with particularly busy work schedules must be willing to complete activities on their own time, if necessary.
Will participants be expected to produce anything, such as a report, presentation, and/or toolkit?
Yes. Participants in the Catalyst program will have opportunities to contribute and create meaningful outcomes. The goal of the program is to spark positive change in California libraries and make an impact beyond the cohort itself. Throughout the program, participants will:
- Apply new leadership skills in their work environment.
- Share their learning with others
- Collaborate with community members to co-design library resources, programs, and/or services.
- Contribute to a statewide collection of promising practices.
- Explore leadership opportunities in their library or community, such as joining a community organization or taking on a new responsibility at work.
The program encourages a continuous process of learning, reflection, and application. As participants build their leadership knowledge and skills throughout the year, they will also develop a co-design project that actively involves community members as equal collaborators in the design process. These projects are designed to help participants grow as leaders while also inspiring other libraries across California.
What costs will be covered?
There is no cost to participants or their libraries to take part in the Catalyst program. CALL covers all program expenses, including travel for required in-person events (transportation, lodging, and meals) as well as any required books and materials.
Catalyst is also a significant investment of time. We encourage applicants to discuss the program with their supervisor before applying. Many participants are able to complete program activities during their regular work hours with their library’s support. Because CALL is making a significant investment in each participant, we ask applicants to carefully consider whether they can commit to participating fully in the program.
When is the application due?
Applications are due by Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM
When will applicants know if they have been selected for this year’s cohort?
The Catalyst team will inform all applicants of their status by Friday, August 30, 2024.
How many applicants will be selected?
25
How will applicants be selected?
A team of California library leaders and CALL staff will review applications using an anonymous scoring process. The highest-scoring applications will then be reviewed to ensure the cohort includes a broad representation of California’s geography, library types, jurisdictions, and roles.
When will applicants know if they have been selected for this year’s cohort?
The Catalyst team will inform all applicants of their status by Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
Tell me more about the mentoring aspect of Catalyst.
Catalyst includes a mentoring program that gives participants the opportunity to learn from an experienced library leader in California. Mentors provide guidance, share their experiences, and support participants as they grow as leaders.
The mentoring program is coordinated by a CALL facilitator. Each participant will be matched with a mentor and meet with them regularly throughout the program. While each mentoring relationship is unique, the program provides a flexible framework that allows mentors and participants to focus on the goals, interests, and questions that matter most to them.
How can I learn more?
Information Sessions will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 5 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM and Tuesday, Aug. 11 from 12:00 – 1:00 PM.
Register for the Catalyst Information Sessions on the CALL Calendar. If you are unable to attend, don’t worry! The meetings will be recorded and made available through CALL Academy.
Have questions about Catalyst? Join Office Hours to connect with Maddy Walton-Hadlock, Catalyst Facilitator, and get one-on-one support.
You can also visit the Catalyst webpage, or contact a Catalyst program coordinator directly: Maddy Walton-Hadlock at mwaltonhadlock@cla-net.org