Trustee Handbook Book Club
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 State Library is in the process of updating its webpages to reflect the 2023 Edition of the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State. In the meantime a digital copy can be accessed here.
Upcoming Sessions
SUBMIT a question for the presenters.
Libraries for the Future: An Introduction to Sustainability as the Newest Core Value
Tuesday, June 18th, 5:00-6:30 PM REGISTER
Governance Structure: The Role of Board Officers and Board Committees
Tuesday, October 15th, 5:00-6:30PM REGISTER
Recent Recordings
What’s New in the 2023 Edition of the Trustee Handbook | March 19, 2024
Join Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, co-author of the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State, Brian M. Hildreth, Executive Director, Southern Tier Library System; and Ron Kirsop, Executive Director, Pioneer Library System, as they introduce you to what is new in the 2023 Edition of the Handbook For Library Trustees of New York State and answer a variety of trustee questions live!
Resources discussed during the session include:
- Public Library District Toolkit: Strategies to Assure your Library’s Legal and Financial Stability
- Open Meeting Law guidance on videoconferencing (includes a model resolution and model procedures)
- Trustee Education Requirements
- Information on Required Policies
- Information required to be posted to your website
- Sample Public Library Policies & Policy Development Tips
- Sexual Harassment Prevention Model Policy and Training from NYS
- E-Rate
- Public Library Collection Policy Template and Guide
- Unite Against Book Bans
- Check out the Trustee Handbook Book Club Archive to view past session recordings mentioned during this session.
After Party III | January 25, 2024
Join Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, co-author of the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State, Brian M. Hildreth, Executive Director, Southern Tier Library System; and Ron Kirsop, Executive Director, Pioneer Library System, as they ask and answer a round-up of previously unanswered questions from the 2023 season.
Topics include:
- committee on open government
- board director relationship
- financial planning & budgeting
- strategic planning, equity
- diversity, inclusion, access & justice
- financing and managing construction projects.
Have a question for the team? Submit your question here.
Looking for past recordings?
View recordings from previous years in the Trustee Handbook Book Club Archive. Previous sessions include:
- The Board-Director Relationship
- Budgets & Finance
- Duties & Responsibilities
- Effective Meetings Using Parliamentary Procedures
- Ethics & Conflicts of Interest
- Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Access & Justice
- Facilities
- Financial Planning and Budgeting
- Financing & Managing Construction Projects
- Library Board Meetings
- Open Meetings Law
- Personnel
- Planning & Evaluation
- Policies & Risk Management
- PR & Advocacy
- Strategic Planning
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