Trustee Resources

 

Dear Trustee,

Your new job has the potential to be exciting, challenging, and rewarding, but it will also require effort. You have obtained this position because the elected officials of your municipality believe you have the ability and dedication to contribute positively to the management of the public library—one of the most accessible and beneficial institutions in your community. Your three-year term gives you an opportunity to help your friends and neighbors take advantage of a wide array of services from the comfort and convenience of their local library. 

 

(WI DPI, Trustee Essentials 2016, Introduction)

Resources for Trustees

New Trustee Orientation Information

Get up to Speed Quickly
New Trustee Orientation – Administration

WVLS Area Trustees Orientation Materials

See About WVLS for more information

WVLS Map
WVLS Fact Sheet
WVLS Organizational Chart
Partners in Excellence
Public Library Assurance of Compliance with System Membership Requirements

WVLS Information

Please see the About WVLS page to find information on WVLS:

Find information on the topics below:

  1. WVLS Calendar of Events
  2. V-Cat Steering Committee
  3. Library Advisory Committee (LAC)
  4. WVLS Grants and Scholarships
    1. Innovation and Collaboration Grant
    2. Library Legislative Day
    3. ARSL Conference Grant
    4. Wessler Scholarship
  5.  WVLS Courier Delivery/Courier Best Practices
WVLS Agreements

For specific agreements, please see Library Administration – WVLS County Library Plans/Member Participation Agreements.

WVLS Planning and Policy Documents

For specific planning or policy documents, see About WVLS

For V-Cat and technology budget resources, see Budget Resources

Division for Libraries & Technology (DLT) Resources
Professional Associations

Wisconsin Library Trustees & Friends

  • A division of the Wisconsin Library Association.
  • Wisconsin Library Trustees & Friends Mission: “To foster improved abilities on the part of library trustees, Friends & advocates, in order to create better libraries and library services in Wisconsin.”
  • WLTF membership offers and opportunity to learn more about state library trends and services through publications from WLA, attendance at workshops and conferences, and a means of interaction with other trustees, advocates, and friends.

United For Libraries 

  • A division of the American Library Association.
  • The United for Libraries Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations Mission: “The mission of United for Libraries is to support citizens who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for all types of libraries.”
  • United for Libraries will continue to build on the work and success of both ALTA and FOLUSA by helping Trustees and Friends work together at the local, state, and national levels to effectively promote and advocate for libraries, encouraging the development of library Foundations, and engaging corporate supporters to unite and strengthen voices in support of libraries.
  • The mission of United for Libraries is to support those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for all types of libraries.
  • “A Short History of United for Libraries”
  • The Trustee Zone and United for Libraries provides training in webinars and guides for trustees.
    • Courses to consider:
      • Short Takes for Trustees is a series of 10 short videos (8-10 minutes) that can be shown during trustee meetings to stimulate discussion about the important role that trustees play in the governance of their libraries. Subscription required.
      • Trustee Academy is a series of online courses to help trustees become proficient in their roles on behalf of their library. Requires registration.
Library Law & Legal Information
Trustee Essentials: A Handbook for Wisconsin Public Library Trustees

Prepared by the Division for Libraries and Technology with the assistance of the Wisconsin Public Library Trustee Handbook Revision Task Force, Trustee Essentials: A Handbook for Wisconsin Public Library Trustees outlines the “exciting, challenging, and rewarding” duties of Library Trustees and provides basic information needed to serve a library community.

Wisconsin Library Trustee Essential Videos 

A collection of videos for Wisconsin Public Library Trustees presenting each chapter of the Trustee Essentials Handbook.

Additional Information

Resources for trustees and boards

Serving on a library board is a terrific way to contribute to the library and the community. The role also comes with significant responsibilities, and many board members, also called trustees, will benefit from training. This compilation of related resources includes materials and handbooks from state libraries, webinars and articles from WebJunction, and tips from organizations, such as United for Libraries.

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Trustee Tales

There are always some new and interesting developments in the Wisconsin Public Library world and in the purview of a library trustee. Trustee Tales is collection of articles about timely topics and noteworthy developments for a Trustee. 

Trustee Tales is a collaboration of OWLS, NFLS, MCLS, WLS and WVLS library systems.

WVLS Board Meetings & Materials
WVLS Board Committees
WVLS Communications
WVLS Annual Report
Budget Resources

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