Mid-Hudson Library System

Join co-author of the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State, Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, and friends for this fun and informative series! For each session, trustees are encouraged to read a chapter of the Trustee Handbook and send in questions that the authors will address during each session.

Trustees from all public library systems in New York State are welcome. Library Directors from across the state are welcome to attend as well. The Mid-Hudson Library System is an approved trustee education provider in the eyes of New York State. All trustee events offered by the Mid-Hudson Library System are eligible under the New York State Trustee Education Requirements.

Attendance Certificates

MHLS Member Library Trustees should watch these recordings through the MHLS Training on Demand platform in order to obtain a Certificate of Attendance. View MHLS’s Statement on Trustee Education Certificates.

Non-MHLS Member Library Trustees will not be issued a MHLS Certificate of Attendance but can use the Self-Assurance Reporting Form found on the NYS Division of Library Development’s web site.

The 2023 Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State can be accessed for free online. Print copies can be ordered through your library system.

Upcoming Sessions

Apr 16, 2026 – Trustee Handbook Book Club: Hiring and Evaluating the Library Director with Brian Hildreth | Online: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM. | REGISTER

Hiring and evaluating the Library Director is one of nine Trustee Responsibilities. While all responsibilities are important, deciding who will be your library’s chief executive officer determines how successful a board will be at carrying out all other responsibilities. The decision has tremendous weight as it impacts your library and community. Regularly evaluating your director is equally important because it fosters a positive and healthy relationship between board and director. Furthermore, it supports the director in a way that empowers them to deliver on mission in partnership with board, staff, and all other library stakeholders. This installment of the Trustee Handbook Book Club will offer a surface level overview of these two processes, and answer trustee questions in real time to provide a deeper understanding, which should strengthen the relationship between boards and directors.

June 17, 2026 – Trustee Handbook Book Club: Laws & Regulations | Online: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM. | REGISTER

Ensuring your library is in compliance with laws and regulations is a tall order, while you’re not expected to be an expert, you will want to be familiar with the most common areas of law that intersect with your responsibilities as a library trustee. Join Trustee Handbook co-author Rebekkah Smith Aldrich for an overview of laws and regulations, where to find answers to common questions, and advice on when to call the lawyer.

Oct 29, 2026 – Trustee Handbook Book Club: Duties & Responsibilities of Key Officer Roles | Online: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM. | REGISTER

Join co-author of the Handbook For Library Trustees of New York State Rebekkah Smith Aldrich and friends for this fun and informative series! At each session, trustees will take a deeper dive on a topic relevant to their role and responsibilities as a library trustee.

In this session, the team discusses Duties & Responsibilities of Key Officer Roles.

Panelists TBD

SUBMIT a question for the presenters.

Recent Recordings

Freedom of Information Law | Feb 2026

Kristin O’Neill, Committee on Open Government (NYS), joins Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, co-author of the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State and Brian M. Hildreth, Executive Director, Southern Tier Library System, to provide an opportunity for viewers to learn more about a public library’s rights and responsibilities in relation to the Freedom of Information Law. The webinar focuses on the areas of concern most relevant to libraries and discusses unusual situations.

View the resources for this event.

Open Meetings Law with Kristin O’Neill | Jan 2026

In this session, Kristin O’Neill, Committee on Open Government (NYS) provides an opportunity for attendees to learn more about Library Board of Trustees’ obligations under the Open Meetings Law.

Resources for this event:

Next Level Trusteeship: Building an Effective and Impactful Board Culture | Nov 18, 2025

Terry L. Kirchner, PhD, Executive Director of the Westchester Library System, joins Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, co-author of the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State and Brian M. Hildreth, Executive Director, Southern Tier Library System, to discuss what makes a positive board culture.