working with trustees

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Working with Trustees

Working with Library Boards

By Jim Trojanowski

2012 Wisconsin New Library Director Boot Camp

Stevens Point

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Discussion Topics

• From the trustee perspective

• Helping boards succeed

• Board development

• Discussion

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Discussion Topic

• From the trustee perspective– Why am I here?– What do I need to do?– What is the board working on?– How does the board work?– Can you teach me the language?

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Tool: Orientation

• Job Description

• Trustee Essentials

• By-laws

• Planning documents

• Budget

• Calendar of meetings and events

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Orientation, cont.

• Annual report

• Policies

• Meeting minutes from past 6-12 months

• Library organizational chart

• Standards

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Orientation, cont

• Laws– Chapter 43– Public Records– Open Meetings– ADA (employees and patrons)– Employment law

• Fair Labor Standards Act

• Family Medical Leave Act

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Orientation, one more time

• The public library system• Who conducts it?• Library tour

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Discussion Topic

• Helping boards succeed– Meeting agendas– Clear, concise reports– Time for discussion– Meeting length– Group decision making

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Discussion Topic

• Board development– Composition of the board

• School district rep

• Elected officials

• Other key constituent groups

• Training– Trustee Essentials– System workshops– WLA and WLTA

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More trustee resources

• ALTAFF

• WebJunction

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Links

• Trustee Essentials– http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/handbook.html

• Sample agenda– http://www.winnefox.org/bootcamp2012/

libraryboards.html DLT trustee page

• DLT Trustee page– http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/trustee.html

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More links

• WLTF/WLA– http://wla.wisconsinlibraries.org/wltf

• ALTAFF– http://www.ala.org/altaff/

• WebJunction– http://www.webjunction.org/explore-topics/

friends-trustees.html

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Thank You!

Jim Trojanowski, Director

Northern Waters Library Service

3200 E Lakeshore Dr

Ashland, WI 54806

715-682-2365 x11

jtrojanowski@nwls.lib.wi.us

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