Becoming a Public Library Trustee: What You Need to Know

$200.00

Credits: 1.5 CEUs or 15 PDHs

The public library’s job is to provide the best access to information and support for literacy and learning in the community. But what is the job of the library trustee? The most important job for a public library board of trustees is to make sure the library has the resources and support it needs to fulfill its mission. This means making sure there is adequate budget for operations, that strategic plans are in place and being implemented, that appropriate policies are in place to manage library operations, that risk is anticipated and planned for, and – most of all—that the library has a strong, visible advocate in the community. This four-week course provides a practical introduction to these duties of the trustee, as well as how to work effectively with the library director, how to understand and design good policy, how to conduct board meetings effectively, and how to evaluate that effectiveness. Practical exercises, real-life examples, and resources will demystify library governance and enable new board members to hit the ground running.