2025 United for Libraries Virtual - Trustee / Board Member Day

Trustee/Board Member Day

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Participate in live Q&A sessions with presenters.
Network with colleagues across the country.
Enjoy microlearning sessions, Book Buzz videos featuring forthcoming titles, the keynote, and Virtual Gala Author Tea.
View on-demand sessions for one year after the live event.
Receive a certificate of attendance (for live participation or on-demand viewing).

Affordable registration rates include live attendance and on-demand access. Download a pricing chart and FAQ for full details on all registration options.

Trustee / Board Member Individual Single Day Registration

This course listing is for Trustee / Board Member individual single day registration.

Includes live and/or on-demand access to Trustee / Board Member Day programs, Keynote Speaker, the Virtual Gala Author Tea, Book Buzzes, and Microlearning Sessions
Each registration is for one person to attend and access on-demand.
Group viewing is not permitted with the purchase of individual registration.

Other Registration Options

Additional Single Day Individual Registration

Visit the link(s) below to purchase individual single day registration for:

Foundations/Fundraising Day - Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Friends Day - Thursday, July 31, 2025

Individual Full Conference Registration

Individual full conference registration includes live and/or on-demand access to three days of programming.

Each registration is for one person to attend live and/or access on-demand.
Group viewing is not permitted with the purchase of individual registration.

Group Viewing Single Day or Multiple Day Registration

Group Viewing is available for single or multiple registration, and is only available by invoice request. Full details including pricing and discounts is available on the Group Viewing Invoice Request Form.

Save with Member Discounts, Early Bird, and Multiple Seat Options

Member Discounts

United for Libraries personal members save 35% off the list price.
ALA personal members save 10% off the list price.

Multiple Seats

Purchase 3-6 seats - save an extra 30%
Purchase 7-12 seats - save an extra 35%
Purchase 13+ seats - save an extra 40% off

Early Bird

Save an extra $5 off per seat on Individual Single Day registration through July 11, 2025.
Discount applies on top off member discount and multiple seat purchase discount.

Trustee / Board Member Day Programs and Sessions

This course listing is for Individual Single Day registration for Trustee / Board Member Day and includes the programs listed below. To purchase additional single-day options or full conference registration, please visit the above link(s).

Keynote

Join on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, 4:30 pm Eastern for the keynote with Austin Channing Brown, an author and speaker providing inspired leadership on racial justice in America. She is the New York Times bestselling author of I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness, a Reese’s Book Club pick. Her work has been featured by outlets such as On Being, Chicago Tribune, and WNYC. Her new book, Full of Myself, releases in August 2025.

Book Buzzes

Learn about forthcoming titles from United's publishing partners, including great book club selections.

Microlearning

Each day will feature one or more microlearning sessions (15-20 minutes). More details coming soon.

Educational Sessions

Trustee Day - Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Scroll down to the bottom of this page for program descriptions.

Get Familiar with Freedom of Information Laws
Meetings That Matter: Driving Results, Not Just Discussions
Public Official Basics for Trustees: Introduction to Public Administration and Public Finance
Top 10 Things Library Board Members Should Know - But Often Don't
Why Is It Always a Battle?: Concerns of Public Library Trustees in the United States

How to Purchase Individual Trustee / Board Member Day Registration

United for Libraries Personal Member

Click the "Register" button above or below.
Click "Login" in the upper right corner. Enter the login associated with your membership.
United for Libraries personal member pricing. Eligible discounts included in these prices:

Early Bird (March 31-July 11): $37.25
Regular Registration (On/After July 12): $42.25

Enter the sign up code you receive on the dashboard in the Sign Up Code box.
If you experience any problems registering, please email united@ala.org for assistance.

ALA Personal Member

Click the "Register" button above or below.
Click "Login" in the upper right corner. Enter the login associated with your ALA membership.
ALA member pricing. Eligible discounts included in these prices:

Early Bird (March 31-July 11): $53.50
Regular Registration (On/After July 12): $58.50

Enter the sign up code you receive on the dashboard in the Sign Up Code box.
If you experience any problems registering, please email united@ala.org for assistance.

Statewide FREE Registration Partners - MI, NE, OR, SC, VA

Your state has purchased statewide registration making both live attendance and on-demand access FREE to all library directors/staff, Trustees/board members, Friends, and Foundations regardless of library type.
- Already enrolled in your statewide access course? Go the landing page of your statewide course and click the link for 2025 United for Libraries Virtual.
- Not enrolled in your statewide access course? Complete the alternate registration form.
If you experience any problems registering, please email united@ala.org for assistance.

Statewide All Access Discounted Registration Partners - MA, MD, MN, ND

Eligible discounts included in these prices:

Early Bird (March 31-July 11): $37.25
Regular Registration (On/After July 12): $42.25

Register, request coupon, or request invoice:
- If you are already registered in your state's training course, go to your dashboard and locate the coupon code on the landing page of your state training course. Enter that coupon code at checkout to receive the 35% off list price discount.
- To request an invoice, submit the 2025 United for Libraries Virtual Invoice Request Form.
If you experience any problems registering, please email united@ala.org for assistance

Statewide Training Discounted Registration Partners - CO, IL, NV

Eligible discounts included in these prices:
- Early Bird (March 31-July 11): $47.00
- Regular Registration (On/After July 12): $52.00
Register, request coupon, or request invoice:
- If you are already registered in your state's training course, go to your dashboard and locate the coupon code on the landing page of your state training course. Enter that coupon code at checkout to receive the 20% off list price discount.
- To request an invoice, submit the 2025 United for Libraries Virtual Invoice Request Form.
If you experience any problems registering, please email united@ala.org for assistance.

Non-Member

Click the "Register" button above or below.
Click "Login" in the upper right corner. If needed, create a free login.
Non-member pricing. Eligible discounts included in these prices:

Early Bird (March 31-July 11): $60.00
Regular Registration (On/After July 12): $65.00

Enter the sign up code you receive on the dashboard in the Sign Up Code box.
If you experience any problems registering, please email united@ala.org for assistance.

Trustee / Board Member Day Program Descriptions

Meetings That Matter: Driving Results, Not Just Discussions

Maryam Phillips, Executive Director for Hosting Solutions and Library Consulting (HSLC)

Tired of board meetings that go off track? Are your meetings too short? Too long? This session will show you how to run focused, efficient board meetings that drive action and produce results. Learn how to prepare for, organize, and run board meetings that keep your trustees engaged and your library moving forward.

Why Is It Always a Battle?: Concerns of Public Library Trustees in the United States

Shannon Crawford Barniskis, MLIS, PhD, Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky School of Information Science

Do you, as a trustee or someone working with them, sometimes struggle with decision-making or with board conflict? Are some discussions always a battle? Do you find yourself wondering what values your fellow trustees are relying on as they vote, or is it hard to find good new board members? This hands-on program will share such experiences of trustees nationally and capture YOUR experiences, allowing you to collaborate to find locally effective solutions.

Top 10 Things Library Board Members Should Know - But Often Don't

Mary Beth Harrington, Trustee, Timberland Regional Library

Too often, board members think that their experience on one nonprofit board adequately prepares them to be on your library board, so they resist board training. Board members who do not sufficiently understand their role are more likely to venture into areas that are not their responsibility. Learn ten things that every board member should know, more importantly, how to get your board members more open to the idea of hosting a board training session.

Get Familiar with Freedom of Information Laws

Sarah Lamdan, Deputy Director, ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom

State and federal freedom of information laws (FOIA, FOIL, open meeting laws, and other state information access laws) are a valuable tool for gaining access to government information, but they also pose privacy concerns for trustees, library workers, and others who work with and for public institutions. Learn how freedom of information laws work, how you can use them to obtain information, and how to protect your privacy from freedom of information requests.

Public Official Basics for Trustees: Introduction to Public Administration and Public Finance

Clare Membiela, Library Law Consultant, Library of Michigan; Karren Reish, Library Grants Coordinator, Library of Michigan

The majority of public libraries in the U.S. are governmental entities, funded by public money and accountable to a myriad of local, state, and federal laws that regulate multiple aspects of a library’s operations, including funding, accounting, purchasing, governance, and accountability. However, most library trustees do not have experience in public administration or governmental accounting. This session will introduce the most important concepts of public administration and include resources to help trustees and library administrators on the path to success as public officials.