Short Takes for Trustees

 

Short Takes for Trustees logo. The words Short Takes for Trustees and a stop watch showing 10 minutes.

Short Takes for Trustees is a series of short videos about the important role that Trustees play in the governance of their libraries. Videos can be shown during Trustee meetings to stimulate discussion and/or watched individually. Topics in the 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.

The topics are:

  • What It Means to Be a Trustee (Updated)
  • Board Meetings (Updated)
  • Board Ethics (Updated)
  • Advocacy & Communications (NEW)
  • Intellectual Freedom (NEW)
  • Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (NEW)
  • Library Policies (Updated)
  • Strategic Planning (Updated)
  • Working with Friends and Foundations (Updated)
  • Evaluating the Library Director
  • Board Self Evaluation
  • Succession Planning and New Board Orientation

REGISTRATION

Registration price includes one-year access for the library director and all members of the library's Board of Trustees. Purchaser will receive an instruction file with purchase that provides details on how to get the director and board members registered for the course. 


STATEWIDE ACCESS

Statewide access to Short Takes for Trustees is available in the following states. If you live in one of these states, please register here.

  • Colorado
  • Illinois*
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Nebraska
  • North Dakota
  • Oregon
  • South Carolina
  • Virginia
*Illinois access includes the original ten (10) videos only, and does not include the updated videos or the new videos.
 
CONTACT

If you have questions, please contact United for Libraries at (312) 280-2161 or by email at united@ala.org.