The School of Professional Development and Continuing Studies, the Suffolk Cooperative Library System, and the Public Library Directors Association of Suffolk County are proud to announce the formation of the Public Library Directors Management Institute. This Institute is designed to provide a venue where professional development and in-service education in library administration for credentialed librarians may take place. The Institute (PLDMI) has formulated a Professional Certificate Program (PCP) to develop and enhance the management skills and credentials of professional librarians working within the Suffolk Cooperative Library System.

This program is open to professional employees of participating libraries within the System and has been designed to:

1. Update librarians on new management principles and organizational structures.

2. Integrate these concepts and illustrate their practical application within the public library setting.

3. Explore current issues and trends in public library management and to improve leadership skills for application within the workplace.

4. Provide a forum where important management issues germane to public librarians can be discussed and resolutions developed in light of the theoretical constructs covered within this program.

The Program Content:

The Professional Certificate Program consists of five courses which carry graduate academic credit and culminate in a Certificate in Public Library Management. The courses will be offered in a seminar format and be limited to a maximum of thirty students. The broad course content areas include: CEL 571 - Principles of Public Library Organization on & Management, CEL 572 - Financial Management, CEL 573 - Human Resources Administration CEL 575 - Legal Issues & the Regulatory/Governance Environment of the Public Library, and CEL 574 – Public Library Facilities Including Automated Systems & Telecommunication. These courses will be taught by University at Stony Brook faculty and professional staff who will be supplemented by outside experts and specialists (guest speakers) in the areas of law, accounting, labor relations, facilities services, computer hardware and software, etc. The goal of this rigorous program is to equip practicing librarians with specific means to handle management challenges in public libraries today.

The courses will be scheduled and follow the traditional institutional calendar and format. A regular grading scheme will be used and students will be held responsible for required outside readings, class discussions and preparation of research papers dealing in depth with important management issues applicable to public libraries. Graduation from the program is predicated on completion of all five seminars with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or a "B" average. A School of Professional Development certificate will be issued to all who complete the five course program.

The Human Resources Officer works with the Director on details pertaining to this series and acts as liaison with the SUNY Stony Brook Continuing Education Office.

If further information is required, contact Gerald Nichols, SCLS Director at 286-1600.