By Megan Shearin

For the first time ever, Old Dominion University's Darden College of Education will be offering professional development courses to help train school library leaders.

Thanks to the Lilead Leaders Program - led by Dr. Jeffrey DiScala, assistant professor of STEM Education and Professional Studies - library professionals at all levels can hone their skills and work toward lasting transformational change for their students, schools, and districts during the 2019-2020 school year.

As part of the new program, a series of 7-week online courses will be offered as non-credit for continuing education units. The first course - Preparing for Transformational Change - will run from October 16 through December 2. Additional courses include a focus on topics such as Implementing Evidence-Based Practice, Communicating and Coalition-Building for Change and Cultivating Individual and Team Leadership.

"The Lilead Leaders courses provide a unique learning opportunity for school library professionals to grow as leaders in their schools and districts," said DiScala, who serves as the research and planning director for the Lilead Project. "Focusing on gaining the skills to be agents for transformational change, we are particularly excited for these courses to be offered through the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies because of their commitment to excellence, innovation, and transformation."

Registration is now open for the first Leaders course, "Preparing for Transformational Change." Groups of eight or more students registering concurrently may receive up to a 20 percent discount by contacting the Lilead Project at lileadproject@gmail.com.