The Library Leadership Academy enhances the YJC program at the library by adapting the concepts from the Leadership Academy and coaching each library branch representative to see themselves as mentors to these new young workers.  During the weekly working sessions the YJC workers investigate topics such as personal responsibility, financial literacy, career exploration, expanding college options, and the highlight: participating in an amateur film contest.  Through a variety of active learning experiences, community partnerships and guided learning we provide opportunity to work in teams, learn and practice new skills, and expand the summer from not just a paycheck but to personal growth.

The results were improved worker relationships at each branch between YJC workers and staff and an enriched commitment from library staff to foster the YJC workers.  The YJC workers: submitted three films to the Quiet on the Set contest, investigated the Minnesota Career Information Center database (MCIS) from the SPPL website, heard from nine different post-secondary education options and worked with Junior Achievement on topics of personal finance.  The final working session allowed the YJC workers to share their films on the big screen at Rondo Library, including a guest from the Saint Paul Police Department to speak about opportunity and personal strength.