Training resources especially for public library trustees.

Upcoming Trustee Training

Sorry, there are no trustee training events scheduled at this time. Check back soon.

iLEAD Trustee Training Portal

iLEAD – leadership, empowerment, accessibility, and development for public library trustees – is a new online learning portal developed for Illinois public library trustees. This project is grant-funded by the Illinois State Library and developed by the Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS), with subject matter experts throughout the state contributing and advising. This online learning portal provides Illinois public library trustees with the knowledge, requirements, and resources they need to be influential library leaders.

Short Takes for Trustees

Our partnership with United for Libraries (a division of the American Library Association) provides you with the online training resource, Short Takes for Trustees.

Short Takes for Trustees is a series of short videos (8-10 minutes each) that can be shown during board meetings to stimulate discussion about the important role that Trustees play in the governance of their libraries.

Timer set to 10 minutes, with text that reads: Short Takes For Trustees.

Topics in this series explain the basics, such as what it means to be a Trustee (discussing the broad fiduciary responsibilities of governing boards as well as the limits of an advisory board), as well as how to set policy, how to evaluate the library director (and why you should), along with board self-evaluation, and the ethical and parliamentary standards for boards — both governing and advisory.

For access, you will need to create an account (free of charge for trustees at RAILS public libraries) with United for Libraries.

Trustee Training Recordings

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  • Trustee EDI Training: Navigating Difference with Library Boards

    This introductory session includes a general overview of current trends and research about handling diversity topics particularly race, gender, ability, and family structure as library boards and staff. The conversation includes understanding our perspectives and how these may impact our communities. Presented by RAILS EDI Consultant Elisabeth "Biz" Lindsay-Ryan.l

    Viewing access to this recording is restricted.
  • The First Amendment and Illinois Libraries

    Many libraries are being targeted by First Amendment "auditors" who use their cell phones or other recording equipment to record their encounters with library employees in the library. In this session, you will learn about the legal protections for these constitutionally protected activities and hear best practices for dealing with an "auditor" if your library is targeted.

    A version of this session was originally presented at the 2022 ILA Annual Conference by Julie Tappendorf of Ancel Glink Law Firm.

    Viewing access to this recording is restricted.
  • Compliance with the Open Meetings Act (OMA)

    This session will cover the basics of complying with the Open Meetings Act (OMA), provide an update on any recent amendments to the statute, and summarize and discuss recent opinions issued by the Attorney General's Public Access Counselor (PAC) office and court cases involving OMA.

    Presented live by attorney Julie Tappendorf, this webinar was recorded on December 8, 2020, and runs approximately 85 minutes.

    Viewing access to this recording is restricted.
  • Director Essentials-Working with Trustees

    Join Kate Hall and Kathy Parker, authors of The Public Library Directors Toolkit, as they discuss four core areas of running a public library. The individual sessions will include library finances, HR, trustees and facilities. Each session will delve into each topic, have some group work and time for roundtable discussion. The sessions are intended for newer public library directors and assistant directors, but the content will be general enough for non-public library directors.

    This presentation was originally recorded on August 10, 2020.

    Viewing access to this recording is restricted.
  • Every Student Gets a Card: Leveraging IGAs to Grant Library Access to Illinois Students

    This session defines intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) and explains how they can be used to give unserved public school students access to a local public library. Staff from Roselle Public Library District share their experiences with creating and enacting an IGA, and outline concrete steps that other librarians can take to do the same. After viewing this session, library staff will have an understanding of IGAs and how they can be used by public library districts and school districts. They will also learn concrete steps they can take to create and enact their own IGAs.

    Details/Watch

  • Reopening Under COVID-19 – A Space Planning Approach

    NYU Professor David Vinjamuri and Architect Joe Huberty of Engberg Anderson cover different phases of reopening and methodically discuss key considerations. They explain how good space planning techniques can help you reinvent your library to allow physical distance between patrons and streamline checkout and other interactions with staff. Safety considerations, including a discussion of HVAC system performance, is also covered.

    This webinar was recorded on July 8, 2020, and runs approximately one hour and 20 minutes.

    Viewing access to this recording is restricted.
  • Trend Scanning During the Pandemic

    Join Miguel Figueroa (ALA's Center for the Future of Libraries) to look at how the process of trend scanning can help us understand the possible near- and long-term implications for the current coronavirus pandemic. Discussion will include possible ways communities will respond to the pandemic and implications for specific areas of society, as well as looking at the responses of industries beyond libraries.

    You can view the work of the Center at http://www.ala.org/tools/future/trends

    Viewing access to this recording is restricted.
  • Everything Library Trustees Need to Know During COVID -19

    The Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS), the Illinois Library Association (ILA), and the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) held this webinar for Illinois Public Library Trustees on Thursday, May 14.

    Agenda items included:

    Details/Watch

  • Libraries and Privacy Laws

    Ancel Glink partner Julie Tappendorf will discuss the various privacy laws and regulations that impact library activities and services, including the Library Records Confidentiality Act, the constitutional right to privacy, and the ALA Bill of Rights. She will specifically address patron privacy concerns in the library use of self-serve holds and the release of patron information to third party vendors and contractors.

    This presentation was recorded live on April 8, 2020, and runs approximately 50 minutes.

    Viewing access to this recording is restricted.
  • Minimum Wage Forecasting

    Is your library grappling with how to budget for the minimum wage increase? Jamie Rachlin, President of Meristem Financial Advisors, has developed a forecasting tool to help libraries craft a plan for this impactful change. In addition to explaining the background of the minimum wage increase and its potential effect on wages across an organization's staffing, Jamie demonstrates the use of this forecasting tool and how you can use it to help plan your yearly budgets and develop strategies to retain your library's needed staffing and resources.

    Viewing access to this recording is restricted.
  • COVID-19: Legal Issues for Public Libraries

    The health ramifications of COVID-19 have prompted local and federal governments to institute closings of restaurants, bars, and schools. Attorney Keri-Lyn J. Krafthefer discusses the legal issues public libraries will face during this global pandemic including holding meetings and events, transparency laws, daily operational issues such as contracts and bill payments, and personnel and patron issues. She also answers participant questions at the end of the webinar.

    Viewing access to this recording is restricted.
  • Space Planning Webinar

    Whether you're experiencing a decline in circulation, a drop in visitors, or are beginning to plan a renovation, a careful examination of your space can help. This webinar will give participants the framework to analyze the current use of their library space, and consider various steps for improvement.

    With a focus on space analysis, this webinar will teach you how to identify the SEGMENTS, DAYPARTS, and USAGE for the different sections within a library and how to visually map those sections and identify space conflicts.

    Viewing access to this recording is restricted.
  • Library Accessibility: What Public Library Trustees Need To Know

    Library accessibility means more than designing 36" wide aisles or building disability parking spaces. A Library Board of Trustees plays a crucial role in ensuring their public library is inclusive to all residents. In this webinar, former Illinois librarian and ILA's 2017 Alexander J. Skrzypek Award winner Renee Grassi will equip Library Trustees with the information and tools they need to be more effective accessibility advocates for their library communities.

    Details/Watch

  • Budget and Levy Secrets for Libraries

    This program will present best practices for planning and presenting annual budgets and tax levy ordinances for municipal and district public libraries. Adam Simon of Ancel Glink will review State law that influences the budget and levy. There will also be a brief discussion of several other annual financial reports.

    Topics:
    1. Tax Levy Practices and Procedures
    2. Budget Practices and Procedures
    3. Other Annual Financial Reports

    Desired Outcomes:

    Viewing access to this recording is restricted.
  • Trends in Safety and Security for Libraries

    Library administrators, board members, and leadership teams need to be aware of the latest trends and concerns for facility safety and keeping staff and patrons safe from security threats. This session looks at the current safety and security problems facing libraries.

    Topics may include:
    * religious-based confrontations
    * aggressive panhandling
    * emotional comfort animals versus service animals
    * use of vaping devices
    * opiate users in the library
    * concealed or open carry weapons in the library,
    * angry or demanding patrons

    Viewing access to this recording is restricted.
  • Ten Ways To Maximize Fundraising At Your Library

    Every library has some aspect of fundraising throughout the year. Join Lauren Chilvers, the Fundraising Librarian, to discover how to maximize your current program. She will cover bench marking your program to set realistic goals, donor relations, stewardship (thanking your donors in meaningful ways to build your relationship), marketing materials, online giving, tribute and memorial gifts, project selection, volunteer engagement, direct mail projects, and event planning.

    Presenter:

    Viewing access to this recording is restricted.
  • Navigating the Changing Landscape of Library Privacy

    Learn about contemporary patron privacy issues facing libraries today, and the practical actions libraries can take to improve patron privacy protections. The webinar will provide an overview of the ethical and legal foundations for patron privacy, and highlight resources that can be used to help libraries preserve patron privacy when adopting new technologies. Topics to be addressed include vendor agreements, securing the library's ILS, amd using HTTPS, VPNs, and the Tor browser to safeguard web browsing and online communications.

    Presenters:

    Details/Watch

  • Fundamentals of Municipal Finance: How Illinois Libraries Borrow Money

    The issuance of bonds and debt certificates are the principal way Illinois governments, including libraries borrow money. Most library leaders are rarely involved in bond issuance during the course of their careers, and some may find the process confusing and frustrating. This presentation will provide participants with the basics of issuing bonds in Illinois and will allow you to be an active decision-maker for your organization rather than a bystander relying solely on consultants to get you through.

    Viewing access to this recording is restricted.
  • Finance for Librarians - Session Three

    This three-part webinar examines the connection between the theory and the best practices of strategic financial resource management. Topics include: revenue models, types of budgets, internal controls, resource allocation, financial planning, accounting practices and acquiring outside resources. Elements of leadership and strategic planning are also examined.

    This webinar was presented by Sean Gaffney and is approximately one hour in length.

    Viewing access to this recording is restricted.
  • Finance for Librarians - Session Two

    This three-part webinar will examine the connection between the theory and the best practices of strategic financial resource management. Topics will include: revenue models, types of budgets, internal controls, resource allocation, financial planning, and acquiring outside resources. Elements of leadership and strategic planning will also be explored.

    This webinar was presented by Sean Gaffney and is approximately one hour in length.

    Viewing access to this recording is restricted.
  • Finance for Librarians - Session One

    This three-part webinar examines the connection between the theory and the best practices of strategic financial resource management. Topics include: revenue models, types of budgets, internal controls, resource allocation, financial planning, and acquiring outside resources. Elements of leadership and strategic planning are also explored.

    This webinar series is presented by Sean Gaffney. It is approximately one hour in length.

    Viewing access to this recording is restricted.
  • Conducting More Effective Board Meetings

    This session will deal with proper voting procedures and address parliament matters. It will also discuss how to deal with agendas, meeting minutes, and other areas of board practice. Finally, attendees will gain tools and guidance on dealing with difficult people, whether they serve on the board or sit in the audience.

    Viewing access to this recording is restricted.
  • Community Based Strategic Planning

    In this workshop, George Needham offered a framework for strategic planning that is inextricably rooted in the community served, whether that's a political subdivision, a college or university campus, a school district, or a corporation. Participants gained hands on experience with tools they can use to create an effective, useful plan that uses library strengths to address authentic, rather than assumed, community needs and desires.

    The workshop covered four vital steps in successful strategic planning:

    Viewing access to this recording is restricted.