LSU Libraries Team Chosen for National Leadership Institute
This summer, an LSU team will travel to Portland, Oregon, to think about and plan for the future of LSU Libraries.
With the LSU Board of Supervisors’ recent, unanimous approval of the schematic designs for LSU’s new 193,000 square foot Library and Learning Commons (LLC) building, LSU Libraries enters an exciting phase of change. Designed to enhance the student experience and support research, collaboration, and innovation across LSU, the state-of-the-art LLC building will also serve as a vital resource for the Baton Rouge community and the state of Louisiana.
To ensure LSU Libraries’ staffing and services are well-positioned for this transformational next chapter, LSU Libraries will join four other teams of higher education professionals as participants in the inaugural Values-Enacted Leadership Institute (VELI), hosted by HuMetricsHSS. Taking place July 13–18, 2025, at the University of Oregon, VELI offers participants dedicated time and facilitated sessions to explore how values can shape effective, ethical leadership and drive institutional change. Representing LSU Libraries at VELI 2025 are:
- Gina Costello, Associate Dean of Technology & Special Collections
- Hayley Johnson, Head of Open Scholarship & Government Publications
- Elissa Plank, Head of Circulation
- Sarah Simms, Undergraduate and Student Success Team Lead
Their project, “Building a Framework for Change: Leveraging a New Library Building to Identify Transformational Values-Driven Opportunities,” will focus on preparing for both the challenges and opportunities that come with constructing and moving into a new main library building.
As the only library team at VELI this year, team leads Costello and Johnson are excited about the opportunity to develop a strategic framework that will help guide the Libraries through this transformative time. According to Costello, “the dynamic framework will emphasize staff development, partner relationships, and collaboration in order to better position LSU Libraries to be adaptive, connected, and able to meet the evolving needs of its community.”
After VELI, the team will work across the Libraries, university, and community to ensure that the future LSU Libraries staff and services are as innovative, inclusive, and forward-looking as the landmark LLC building.
