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Training Trustees to be Effective

The American Heritage Dictionary defines a trustee as "a member of a board elected or appointed to direct the funds and policy of an institution." Each Illinois public library has a board of trustees consisting of individuals who believe in the mission and value of their public library. The very title of the position, public library "trustee," indicates that an individual agrees to keep faith with their community by mastering an identified set of core competencies and performing the roles and responsibilities of the office to the best of their abilities.

Board Briefs
Essential Training
for Library Trustees

These basic duties are to oversee the library's budget, to hire, support, and evaluate a qualified director, and to approve policies. In addition to these duties, trustees are legally responsible for assuring that the general operation of the library as well as all board meetings are conducted in accordance with Illinois law. Engaged, knowledgeable trustees can provide leadership and guidance to help even the best library to attain a higher level of excellence Below are some resources to help trustees accomplish this goal.

With the goal of encouraging excellence in Trustees, the North Suburban Library System has developed a unique program for Trustee Certification. The following information and documents related to Trustees were developed by NSLS and can be considered a model for the creation of other such Trustee programs. Many of these documents are in downloadable PDF format.

Trustee Training

• Well informed, knowledgeable public library trustees help create better libraries. NSLS has created a core curriculum and certification program to help you do your job.

Basic Information: Laws and Standards

• Trustees must be familiar with the laws and standards under which the library and board need to operate.

Defining Your Roles and Duties

• Understand the duties and roles of the library trustee and how to implement and carry them out.

Tips for Being an Effective Trustee

• Conduct effective meetings, work well with other board members, and have a productive relationship with the library director.

Professional Development: Keeping up with Changing Times

• Understand how the changing environment of new service trends and technologies in public libraries impacts the role of trustees.

Organizations and Web Sites Trustees Should Know

• Contains many state and local organizations to help you in your role as a trustee.

Budgeting Oversight

• An important trustee duty requiring an understanding of library taxes and borrowing devices as well as tax caps.  Chapter 10: Budgeting and Financial Management of the Trustee Facts File  provides a very thorough overview of the budgeting process and the Illinois Department of Revenue  offer technical manual to help you understand the Illinois Property Tax System   and the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law.

Core Competencies

• Core competencies enumerate skills, qualities and abilities essential for trustees to undertake their duties. Some examples of competencies are listed by the North Suburban Library System,  New Jersey Library Trustee Association , and the Kansas Library Trustee Association.

Photo Caption: In May, 2007, Senator Susan Garrett visited Indian Trails Public Library District where she posed with her own READ poster, designed by Indian Trails Staff. Pictured left to right is Director Tamiye Meehan; Don Roalkvam, president, Board of Trustees; Senator Garrett with her READ Poster; Doris Wagner, trustee; Gene Looft, trustee; and Wally Salganik, trustee.

Additional Resources

• Why I Became a Library Board Trustee

  Authored by Don Roalkvam of the Indian Trails Public Library District, this article explores the realities of being a Public Library Trustee.

• Trustee Information from the Illinois State Library

  Look for information on legal interests, continuing education, publications and links related to trustees.

• Administrative Ready Reference

  This comprehensive document authored by the Illinois State Library includes useful citations to Illinois Compiled Statutes, policy models and Service Standards for Illinois Public Libraries.