Forging the Future: Insights from the 2025 Emerging Library Leaders’ Summer School in Singapore
By Wallace WONG, User Experience & Assessment Librarian, Hong Kong Baptist University Library
Every significant professional opportunity begins with the support of leadership. I am profoundly grateful to Hong Kong Baptist University Library, for investing in my growth by enabling me to attend the Emerging Library Leaders’ Summer School for Asia-Pacific (ELLSSA 2025). The program had a direct impact on my perspective as a User Experience & Assessment Librarian, providing powerful frameworks for turning user-centered research into strategic institutional value. I hope to convey the richness of that experience in the following article.
From 6-11 July 2025, I had the privilege of attending this intensive program, graciously hosted by the outstanding team at Singapore Management University (SMU) Libraries. This experience was an inspiring deep dive into the strategic challenges and transformative opportunities facing academic libraries today. I returned to Hong Kong not only with new knowledge but also with a renewed sense of purpose and a valuable network of colleagues from across the region, including Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Cambodia, and even as far afield as Switzerland and Kazakhstan.
The intensive program was carefully structured to elevate participants from operational thinking to strategic leadership perspectives. Central to the curriculum was an extensive “Digital Transformation for Libraries” workshop that prompted us to reconceptualize services using digital business frameworks. We examined innovative approaches like the Business Model Canvas for service mapping and enhancement, discovering how concepts such as multi-sided platforms and freemium structures could generate enhanced customer value. The workshop stressed that genuine transformation extends beyond technology adoption to encompass organizational restructuring, cultural shifts, and the alignment of performance measurement for sustainable change. These theoretical concepts gained practical dimension through educational visits to Nanyang Technological University Library, the LinkedIn Regional Headquarters and the Singapore Institute of Technology libraries, offering direct observation of innovative implementations.
Lee Wee Nam Library, Nanyang Technological University
LinkedIn Asia Pacific Regional Headquarters
The Ngee Ann Kongsi Library, Singapore Institute of Technology
The highlight of the week was undoubtedly “The Pitch Tank,” the program’s capstone challenge. This intensive exercise demanded that we condense our accumulated learning into a compelling five-minute presentation, proposing solutions to institutional challenges before a panel of simulated “Academic Sharks,” including mock Provost and CFO roles. The objective was to transcend library-specific terminology and construct persuasive, data-driven investment arguments emphasizing institutional impact and strategic worth. Incorporating insights from various sessions, including stakeholder communication strategies, I crafted a proposal focused on user engagement. I am deeply honored that my presentation received first-place recognition in this challenge. This achievement reinforced a key program message for me: the critical importance of translating library initiatives into the language of institutional strategy, thereby proving our value by aligning directly with the goals of university leadership.
The curriculum featured diverse sessions addressing current priorities in the field beyond the capstone project. A particularly relevant “Libraries Advancing AI Literacy in Our Communities” workshop provided frameworks for understanding the ethical implications of AI, including data privacy and algorithmic bias considerations, while defining the essential role of libraries in developing these emerging literacies. The “User-Centered Libraries” session equipped us with practical Design Thinking and UX approaches for better understanding user needs and addressing their challenges. We also examined the changing scholarly environment through sessions like “Libraries and Publishers Shaping Open Research,” exploring the strategic implementation of transformative agreements and shared responsibilities for research integrity in an increasingly open landscape.
Beyond the formal sessions, the summer school offered exceptional opportunities for growth by focusing on two key types of professional relationships. First, the launch of the ELLSSA Mentoring Programme provided invaluable top-down guidance by matching each participant with an experienced library leader. Second, we established a powerful peer network by building relationships with fellow leaders from across the Asia-Pacific. Together, these collaborative exchanges and mentorship opportunities created a comprehensive support system for our continued career development.
And to my incredible cohort at ELLSSA 2025: our journey together was the true heart of this experience. Daily conversations, shared meals filled with laughter, and collaborative engagement in every session created connections extending well beyond professional networking. Your enthusiasm, wisdom, and friendship proved invaluable. I’m confident each of you will achieve remarkable success, and I anticipate future opportunities for collaboration and reconnection.
The educational experience extended far beyond the walls of the university, as our host city became a living classroom. Singapore served as a masterclass in efficiency and forward-thinking urban planning, from its seamless public transport to the stunning integration of nature within a bustling metropolis. This immersive environment also included a delicious curriculum of its own, and I am still thinking about the incredible bowl of laksa I had. These cultural and environmental lessons were the perfect complement to the formal program, making the entire week truly unforgettable.
My sincere gratitude extends to the entire SMU Libraries team for developing such a motivating and excellently coordinated summer school. Special acknowledgment belongs to the event’s key organizers: Ms. Shameem Maideen, University Librarian, Singapore Management University (SMU) Libraries, and Mr. Rajen Munoo, Programme Manager, ELLSSA. Their vision for leadership development and commitment to excellence influenced every element of the program. For any HKLA members seeking professional advancement opportunities, I cannot recommend the ELLSSA program highly enough. It serves as an effective catalyst for developing the strategic thinking and leadership capabilities essential for navigating the future of our profession.
Programme Page: https://academy.smu.edu.sg/courses/emerging-library-leaders-summer-school-asia-pacific
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