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Trustee Information: Home

A resource collecting information to help library trustees explore their roles and responsibilities.

Basic Information

Public library trustees fill a very important role in the governance of public libraries.

This resource is designed to collect the information needed to help trustees fulfil their duties.

Public Library trustees are required to receive 2 hours of training each year.  4CLS makes many programs available.  See below for registration links to upcoming training opportunities and recordings of past webinars.

Other training providers include:

Upcoming Training Opportunities

Upcoming 4CLS Webinars

  • Wednesday, April 16, 6-7 PM, Legal Basics for Trustees
    • .Trustees hold an important governance role in public libraries.  Part of that role includes navigating several different areas of law and regulation. Join us for an exploration of the various laws & regulations that apply to public libraries in New York State.  
    • Register
  • Wednesday, May 14, 6-7 PM: Building a Community Based Long Range Plan
    • The minimum standards require all public libraries to develop a community-based long range plan.  What does that mean and how do you do it?  During this webinar we will explore the process of building a long range plan that meets the standard and sets the library on a positive path forward with its community
    • Register.

 

Archived Trustee Webinars

Archived 4CLS Webinars

  • All About The Money: Financials for Trustees
    •  An in depth look at the trustee roles and responsibilities associated with the money libraries take in, manage, and spend
    • View Recording
  • Library Trustee Basic Training
    • Designed for new trustees, this session will go through the basic rules and responsibilities for library trustees and describe how libraries fit into the educational infrastructure of New York State.  It provides a basic level of understanding that other programs build upon.
    • View Recording
  • FOIL and Libraries - 
    • Learn about the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) and how it applies to public libraries
    • With Kristin O'Neill from the Committee on Open Government
    • View Recording
  • Library Trustee Basic Training
    • Designed to give new trustees a basic understanding of the roles & responsibilities of library trustees.
  • Financial Basics for Trustees
    • An exploration of good governance, best practices, and fraud prevention.
    • View recording
  • Legal Basics for Trustees
    • An exploration of the various laws & regulations that apply to public libraries in New York State.  
    • View Recording
  • Core Values and Trustee Ethics (Webinar)
    • An exploration of the core values of our profession and the ethical standards for trustees
    • View Recording
  • Library Board & Director Evaluation (Webinar)
    • Tools and strategies for evaluating director and board performance
    • View Recording

Glossary of Terms and Acronyms

Trustee Handbook

More Trustee Resources