CE NEWS

June 1, 2021

"DA Board Meeting" by cafuego is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Table of Contents

• Engaged Library Boards
• Non-Profit Boards and Open Meeting Requirement for Public Library Assistance Grant
• Webinars You Don't Want to Miss
• CE Calendar

Engaged Library Boards

It is hard to overemphasize the important role that non-profit board members of public libraries play. Board members are responsible for developing and maintaining a sustainable and vibrant public library.

Healthy non-profits have reliable revenues and consistent surpluses. They are able to meet required building maintenance needs, implement initiatives, and upgrade technology at scheduled intervals. Board members provide the strategic leadership required to develop and maintain financial stability. They serve as library ambassadors, advocating on behalf of the library, providing ongoing support to the library director, and overseeing the governance of the library.

Unhealthy non-profit boards are characterized by a lack of engagement, energy, and momentum. Boards have difficulty recruiting new members and struggle with fundraising. Board members fail to attend scheduled meetings. Decisions are made without input from all board members, leading to a climate of confusion and frustration.

Maintaining a healthy and engaged board takes work. Library directors can foster board engagement by providing new members with a thorough orientation that defines their role and duties. A board assessment should be conducted annually to determine how well board members understand their roles and responsibilities, and how efficiently they work together.

Engaged board members are forward thinking, focused on the library’s mission and committed to establishing long-term financial security for the organization. They are ardent supporters of the public library, comfortable sharing their passion for the library with others, and willing and able to work collaboratively with others on the board. Now more than ever, non-profit boards that oversee public libraries need to be engaged and committed to their success.

Resources

Using Mission Moments to Connect Your Team
Mission moments set the stage for everyone in the room to get grounded in the mission and the agenda of the meeting. This handout developed by The Foraker Group provides examples on how to incorporate mission moments into your board meetings.

Resources for Library Trustee
Includes a suggested list of items to include in a board orientation, links to board training resources, the characteristics of an informed board member, and the role of the board.

Working Together: Roles and Responsibilities Guidelines (Connecticut State Library)
1-page document clarifying the roles of the library director, library board, and the Friends organization.

Board Member Orientation Checklist
Boardsource.org has created a checklist of everything that should be covered during a board orientation. The 1-page handout also includes the general expectations of board members.

Library Trustee Responsibilities [video]
This 6-minute video produced by the Wyoming State Library features Jim Conner, an engaging no-nonsense nationally known library trustee trainer and consultant.

Evaluating the Library Board [video]
This 10-minute video produced by the Wyoming State Library features Jim Conner, a nationally known library trustee trainer and consultant. Jim outlines why it is important for a board to conduct self-evaluations, how often to conduct an evaluation, and what should be included.

Financial Information and Your Board Primer [video]
This 3-minute video produced by Propel Nonprofits introduces board members to their legal and fiscal responsibilities.

Non-Profit Boards and Open Meeting Requirement for Public Library Assistance Grant

Occasionally, the Alaska State Library is contacted by a member of the public seeking information on the “mysterious” non-profit board overseeing the public library in their community. Misunderstandings about the role of the non-profit board can quickly arise in a community when members of the public lack information or feel shut out. Open meetings are an opportunity for a non-profit board to demonstrate its decision-making process, organizational transparency, and accountability to the community.

One of the eligibility and operating requirements of the Alaska Public Library Assistance Grant Guidelines is that non-profit boards that operate libraries must hold public meetings at least quarterly and must submit minutes of these meetings to the Alaska State Library.

The Foraker Group has templates to help boards conduct more effective and efficient meetings:

Board Meeting Agenda Template
Agendas will vary depending on the size of the board and the issues it faces. This template provides an outline of how to build an agenda for effective and efficient meetings.

Board Meeting Minutes Template
Board minutes should contain both the decisions made during a meeting and the essential points of discussion that led to those decisions. This template helps you capture the necessary information.

Webinars You Don't Want to Miss

Public Librarians' Chat: Successful Project Management Begins with a Plan

During this chat, Julie Niederhauser, Alaska State Library, will introduce the four steps of the project management process and resources that will help you define, plan, implement, and evaluate your project. Jodi Jacques, Alaska Library Network Associate Director, will share how the Alaska Library Network supports and assists public libraries as a fiscal agent.

Register for the Webinar

Prior to the webinar, registered participants will receive handouts that will be used during the presentation.

Date: Thursday, June 3, 2021
Time: 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Public Librarians' Chat: Steps in Creating a Story Stroll or StoryWalk^®

During this webinar, a panel of youth services librarians will share their experience developing interactive StoryWalks^®, a unique outdoor programming that combines reading (laminated pages of a book are attached to posts and set along a path at spaced intervals) while taking a leisurely stroll.

Date: Tuesday, June 15, 2021
Time: 1:00 p.m.

Panelists

• Stephanie Schott - Best Beginnings
• Leslie Meyer - Soldotna Public Library
• Ani Thomas - Kodiak Public Library

Please note you do not need to register in advance for this webinar.

Join the Webinar

CE Calendar

To see all of the free training opportunities available in June, visit the CE Calendar.