Preparation:

a) Read the  chapter: PR & Advocacy

b) Thoughts to consider before the program:

• Have you articulated your personal “why”?
• Why the library matters to you personally and why you give of your time and energy to this institution?
• Do you have a good understanding of all library services and programs offered in person and online?
• Do you know who your municipal leaders are? County legislators? State and federal representatives?
• Is it easy for a new resident in your service area to access library services?
• Have you adequately funded budget lines related to outreach and public relations?

c) Watch the PR & Advocacy recording below

d) Review the program using the PR & Advocacy Post-Session Toolkit

Preparation:

a) Read the  chapter: Planning & Evaluation

b) Thoughts to consider before the program:

• Is the library’s current long-range plan based on feedback received from the community?
• Are the goals and objectives of the plan designed to meet the needs expressed by the community?
• Are budget decisions based on goals expressed in the board-approved long-range plan?
• Does the library have an operational plan to address gaps in resources necessary to be successful in achieving the goals set in the long-range plan?
• Does the board annually evaluate the goals in the plan and adjust them accordingly?

c) Watch the Planning & Evaluation recording below

d) Review the program using the Planning & Evaluation Post-Session Toolkit

Preparation:

a) Read the  chapters: Ethics & Conflicts of Interest + Intellectual Freedom, Censorship and Privacy

b) Thoughts to consider before the program:

• Does your board have an up-to-date Conflict of Interest policy which includes the requirement that all trustees sign a disclosure form annually?
• Has your board adopted a Code of Ethics?
• Does your board have an anti-nepotism policy?
• Has the board recently reviewed its collection development policy and challenge of library materials form and procedure?
• Does the library’s collection development policy reflect the principles of the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read Statement?

c) Watch the Ethics & Conflicts of Interest + Intellectual Freedom, Censorship and Privacy recording below

d) Review the program using the Ethics & Conflicts of Interest + Intellectual Freedom, Censorship and Privacy Post-Session Toolkit

Preparation:

a) Read the  chapters: Risk Management  &  Library Policies

b) Thoughts to consider before the program:

• Is your library facility completely accessible to folks with physical disabilities? If not, do you have a policy that makes it clear how folks of all abilities can access all library services equitably?
• Has your board adopted an environmental sustainability policy to ensure everything from how the facility is cleaned to how renovations and expansions are designed takes into consideration the natural environment and the environment in which library workers and patrons experience your library facility?
• Has your board engaged in scenario planning to prepare for significant severe weather events or major disruptions such as extended power outages?
• Has your board engaged a firm to conduct an energy audit of the facility?

c) Watch the Policies & Risk Management recording below

d) Review the program using the Policies & Risk Management Post-Session Toolkit

Preparation:

a) Read the chapter: Facilities

b) Thoughts to consider before the program:

• Is your library facility completely accessible to folks with physical disabilities? If not, do you have a policy that makes it clear how folks of all abilities can access all library services equitably?
• Has your board adopted an environmental sustainability policy to ensure everything from how the facility is cleaned to how renovations and expansions are designed takes into consideration the natural environment and the environment in which library workers and patrons experience your library facility?
• Has your board engaged in scenario planning to prepare for significant severe weather events or major disruptions such as extended power outages?
• Has your board engaged a firm to conduct an energy audit of the facility?

c) Watch the Facilities recording below

d) Review the program using the Facilities Post-Session Toolkit

Preparation:

a) Read the chapter: Budgets & Finance

b) Thoughts to consider before the program:

• Is your long-range plan taken into consideration during the budget planning process?
• Once your budget is drafted by the director, is it reviewed by the treasurer and Finance Committee before presented to the full board?
• Does your board have adequate policies and procedures in place to make budget adjustments during the course of the fiscal year?
• Does your board have a capital fund, and a related capital fund reserve policy, to save for high-cost activities related to the facility?
• Does your board engage in a process of multi-year budget planning to prepare for the future?

c) Watch the Budgets & Finance recording below.

d) Review the program using the Budgets & Finance Post-Session Toolkit.