IMPACT PLS is designed to increase employee retention, build a strong network of leaders within the organization and reduce silos among staff. The program was created to address a growing need for informal staff leadership in all positions and to prepare staff for formal leadership roles. To address these needs, the program was deliberately designed to include staff at all levels: supervisory, non-supervisory, salaried and hourly staff are all eligible to apply for the program.

Monthly sessions focus on leadership topics such as project management, public speaking, and advocacy. Participants visit branch and system departments each month to learn about diverse job functions and build relationships. Each spring, participants attend a professional conference together, choosing individually which sessions will be most beneficial to their careers and the system. Participants develop and present projects to library leadership and the board; projects have included policy development, program implementation and customer service training.

IMPACT has improved each area it was developed to address. Of 42 participants, only eight have left PLS (four still work in libraries and two left the workforce). Four of 11 branch managers completed IMPACT before their promotions. Five graduates moved into management positions, nine others are in new PLS positions that better fit their goals and others have expanded responsibilities within their existing positions. Every graduate comments on benefits of relationships built through IMPACT.