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Orientation of New Trustees

From the Handbook for Library Trustees

• A successful trustee begins with a thorough understanding of libraries and the laws that govern them. A formal orientation with the library director and the Board President is the best way to learn about your organization. This orientation should include a discussion of the library's mission and goals, its role in the community and a review of the critical issues facing the organization. A good orientation will provide trustees with the information they need to carry out their responsibilities effectively and will generate a spirit of ongoing curiosity about the library and its role in the community.

• Responsibility for planning and conducting the new trustee orientation is shared among the Board President, other board members and the library director. read more
  

Additional Resources

• Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State, 2005 Edition
  • Outline for a Tour of Your Library
  • Trustee Notebook Contents
• Statement on the Governance Role of a Trustee or Board Member [University of the State of New York]
• Sample Trustee Orientation Presentation (PowerPoint) [Mahopac Library]
• Orientation of New Trustees [MA Public Libraries Trustee Handbook]
• TrusteE-Training [North Suburban Library System, IL]
• "Orienting New Members to Boards of Directors" [by Carter McNamara, PhD]
• New York State Association of Library Boards (NYSALB)
• Association for Library Trustees and Advocates (ALTA)
• BoardSource
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