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Trustee Training Resources: Training Videos

Being a Public Library Trustee is a big responsibility. In fact, the State of Kansas takes it so seriously, there are laws governing public library boards. This resource guide walks you through library law and tools to be the best Public Library Board Mem

Trustee Trouble (11 Videos)

Trustee Trouble Introduction: How to Use These Videos

Wyoming State Library (Jan 26, 2011) Length: 3 min 45 sec

Trustee Trouble: Episode 0 of 10: Introduction. Library Board membership is a great way to give back to the community and the library. Sometimes that first year on the board is tough, there is a lot more to being a library board member than you might think. In this series of episodes, laugh and learn along with Dan, a new library trustee, as he muddles through his first year on the library board. We suggest viewing one episode per month and then as a group, discuss the episode and answer the questions asked at the end of the segment.

Trustee Trouble 1: Membership--Taking it to the Streets

Wyoming State Library (Jan 26, 2011) Length: 9 min 5 sec

Trustee Trouble: Episode 1 of 10: Membership. Taking it to the Streets

Honk! Honk! Dan learns that he represents the entire library system, so wearing a sign along the street isn't the best way to build support for the library. Library Board membership is a great way to give back to the community and the library. Sometimes that first year on the board is tough, there is a lot more to being a library board member than you might think. In this series of episodes, laugh and learn along with Dan, a new library trustee, as he muddles through his first year on the library board. We suggest viewing one episode per month and then as a group, discuss the episode and answer the questions asked at the end of the segment.

Trustee Trouble 2: Orientation--Hail to the Chief

Wyoming State Library (Jan 26, 2011) Length: 6 min 36 sec

Trustee Trouble: Episode 2 of 10: Orientation. Hail to the Chief

Delusions of grandeur lead nowhere. Although Dan tries to enforce the rules, he learns he doesn't know them all yet. Library Board membership is a great way to give back to the community and the library. Sometimes that first year on the board is tough, there is a lot more to being a library board member than you might think. In this series of episodes, laugh and learn along with Dan, a new library trustee, as he muddles through his first year on the library board. We suggest viewing one episode per month and then as a group, discuss the episode and answer the questions asked at the end of the segment.

Trustee Trouble 3: Meetings--Land of Confustion

Wyoming State Library (Jan 26, 2011) Length 9 min 52 sec

Trustee Trouble: Episode 3 of 10: Meetings. Land of Confusion

Meetings, meetings, meetings. Although they seem to exist outside of normal time and reality, Dan learns that not being present and prepared effects how the library functions. Library Board membership is a great way to give back to the community and the library. Sometimes that first year on the board is tough, there is a lot more to being a library board member than you might think. In this series of episodes, laugh and learn along with Dan, a new library trustee, as he muddles through his first year on the library board. We suggest viewing one episode per month and then as a group, discuss the episode and answer the questions asked at the end of the segment.

Trustee Trouble 4: Board/Director Relationships--Everybody Wants to Rule the World

Wyoming State Library (Jan 26, 2011) Length 8 min 54 sec

Although opportunity knocks, sometimes NOT answering the door leads to the best result. Dan learns to leave some decisions to those responsible for making them. Library Board membership is a great way to give back to the community and the library. Sometimes that first year on the board is tough, there is a lot more to being a library board member than you might think. In this series of episodes, laugh and learn along with Dan, a new library trustee, as he muddles through his first year on the library board. We suggest viewing one episode per month and then as a group, discuss the episode and answer the questions asked at the end of the segment.

Trustee Trouble 5: Finances--Working Hard for the Money

Wyoming State Library (Jan 26, 2011) Length: 9 min 15 sec

Ebenezer Scrooge would be proud, but Dan learns that managing the money takes more than saving a buck. Library Board membership is a great way to give back to the community and the library. Sometimes that first year on the board is tough, there is a lot more to being a library board member than you might think. In this series of episodes, laugh and learn along with Dan, a new library trustee, as he muddles through his first year on the library board. We suggest viewing one episode per month and then as a group, discuss the episode and answer the questions asked at the end of the segment.

Trustee Trouble 6: Policies--Daydream Believer

Wyoming State Library (Jan 26, 2011) Length: 9 min 2 sec

"Hey baby, Can I buy you a drink?"

Dan learns that this is not the best way to build working relationships at the library, and that policies exist for a reason. Library Board membership is a great way to give back to the community and the library. Sometimes that first year on the board is tough, there is a lot more to being a library board member than you might think.

In this series of episodes, laugh and learn along with Dan, a new library trustee, as he muddles through his first year on the library board. We suggest viewing one episode per month and then as a group, discuss the episode and answer the questions asked at the end of the segment

Trustee Trouble 7: Planning--One Bad Apple

Wyoming State Library (Jan 26, 2011) Length 11min 42 sec

Pinocchio planning has no place in the library. Dan learns that strategic planning is not strategic manipulation. Library Board membership is a great way to give back to the community and the library. Sometimes that first year on the board is tough, there is a lot more to being a library board member than you might think. In this series of episodes, laugh and learn along with Dan, a new library trustee, as he muddles through his first year on the library board. We suggest viewing one episode per month and then as a group, discuss the episode and answer the questions asked at the end of the segment.

Trustee Trouble 8: Advocacy--Tears of a Clown

Wyoming State Library (Jan 26, 2011) Length 8min 38sec

Poor Dan! He must have gotten board orientation confused with clown school. Dan learns that advocacy can be fun, but it needs to be planned. Library Board membership is a great way to give back to the community and the library. Sometimes that first year on the board is tough, there is a lot more to being a library board member than you might think. In this series of episodes, laugh and learn along with Dan, a new library trustee, as he muddles through his first year on the library board. We suggest viewing one episode per month and then as a group, discuss the episode and answer the questions asked at the end of the segment.

Trustee Trouble 9: Friend/Foundation Relationship--Take it to the Limit

Wyoming State Library (Jan 26, 2011) Length 8min 11 sec
 
There's a thief in the library and he doesn't even know it. Dan learns the difference between all of the library's governing and support groups. Library Board membership is a great way to give back to the community and the library. Sometimes that first year on the board is tough, there is a lot more to being a library board member than you might think. In this series of episodes, laugh and learn along with Dan, a new library trustee, as he muddles through his first year on the library board. We suggest viewing one episode per month and then as a group, discuss the episode and answer the questions asked at the end of the segment.

 

Trustee Trouble 10: Self-Assessment--Don't Worry Be Happy

Wyoming State Library (Jan 26, 2011) Length 10min 14sec

After searching for online quizzes, Dan learns that evaluation is a process, not a quick fix. Library Board membership is a great way to give back to the community and the library. Sometimes that first year on the board is tough, there is a lot more to being a library board member than you might think. In this series of episodes, laugh and learn along with Dan, a new library trustee, as he muddles through his first year on the library board. We suggest viewing one episode per month and then as a group, discuss the episode and answer the questions asked at the end of the segment.

CKLS Trustee Training Archives

Re-Opening Libraries During COVID and Taking Precautions
Trustees' Meeting
(video)
May 1, 2020
Helpful Resource Links (Google Doc)

Tuesdays with CKLS: Trustee Basics and Refresher Training Part 1 and Part 2 (2 videos)
June 16, 2020
Patty Collins, Gail Santy,  & Maribeth Shafer
Slides (MS Powerpoint)
Helpful Resources (list of links)

Trustee Training: Helping Boards Over Obstacles
July 9, 2020
Patty Collins, Gail Santy, & Maribeth Shafer

Trustee Training: 10 Things Boards Do That Hurt the Library
August 4, 2021
Patty Collins, Gail Santy, & Maribeth Shafer
Slides (Google Slides)

Trustee Training: Library Board Evaluations
July 19, 2023
Patty Collins, Gail Santy
Slides (MS Powerpoint)

Being a Board Member

Library Board Basics (City, County, Township Library Version)

SEKlibsys (March 26, 2013) 13:18

This training is suitable for use during a library board meeting, but can also be used at other times. This video is applicable to city, county, and township libraries in Kansas; we also have a version of this which addresses district libraries. The training covers library board terms, membership, meetings, powers and duties, and board-director roles.

Library Board Basics (Library Districts Version)

SEKLibsys (March 26, 2013) 10:20

This training is suitable for use during a library board meeting, but can also be used at other times. This video is specific to district libraries in Kansas; we also have a version of this which addresses city, county, and township libraries. The training covers library board terms, membership, annual meetings, powers and duties, and board-director roles.

Getting On Board: Board Basics

LibraryImprovement (Jan 15, 2012) Length: 12 min 47 sec

In this video's narrative and interviews, the fundamental role of trustees is explored. That role is to create the ideal library for your community. With that vision in mind, trustees are expected to create and follow an action plan to achieve specific objectives. Public library trustees should set a personal example through financial giving, advocacy, public relations and volunteerism. The board should be representative of the community; it should reflect the varied perspectives within the community as well as diverse skills and expertise. After your term expires, it is desirable for you to continue supporting your community library in another capacity.

Writing Library Policies (40 min)

Indiana State Library (Dec 13, 2017) Length: 40 min 39 sec

Library board, director and staff need to be attentive to the library policies that support the library and the staff and are fair to everyone. This is an introduction for small and medium sized libraries on assessing the needs of a policy, drafting, reviewing and revising. It is important that policies conform to current law and are reasonable. Library policies are informed by the library profession’s ethics and confidentiality practices.

Library Responsibilities by Jim Connor

Wyoming State Library (Jan 26, 2011) Length: 6 min 10 sec

Jim Connor is a nationally known trustee trainer, consultant, author and member of the Trustee College Team. Jim has worked with the American Library Association, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, WebJunction, and numberous state libraries, state library associations and Chamber of Commerce Groups. Watch as Jim comments on Library Trustee Responsibilites.

Getting on Board: Buildings

LibraryImprovement (Jan 16, 2012) Length: 17 min 24 sec

Regardless of the library you serve, there will be times when you need to address building-specific issues. In each situation, you must consider your facility's current and future usage, your facility's environmental impact, and available resources to maintain your building in a way that is both functional and appealing to patrons. It is best to consult with your library director when planning changes, because he or she knows the community and its usage best. Together, you can predict trends and work toward an ideal, community-centered future. When discussing renovations, remodeling or building, you should consider short- and long-term savings. Use a consultant when possible to help give you direction as you make these important decisions. All decisions should be made ethically and without conflict of interest.

Boardroom 2022: Facing Crucial Conversations

By Bonnie McKewon, State Library Of Iowa (May 31, 2022) Length 1 hour 23 min

In this installment, we’ll bring a book back into The Boardroom and talk about ideas from Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Joseph Grenny, et.al (c2021 third edition) When first published in 2002, Crucial Conversations quickly became a New York Times best seller, leading to three revisions and a companion title Crucial Accountability. Given the spate of book challenges in school and public libraries last year and this, trustees need to be ready with a cogent defense of intellectual freedom. Book challenges are always crucial conversations for library boards, as are budget talks, absenteeism, all while maintaining healthy relationships with city partners and with each other. From Amazon: “Crucial Conversations teaches readers how to be persuasive rather than abrasive, how to get back to productive dialogue when others blow up or clam up … offering powerful skills for mastering high-stakes conversations, regardless of the topic or person.”

Boardroom 2022: Ten Habits of Highly Effective Library Boards

By Patrick Callahan, State Library of Iowa (Feb 28, 2022) Length 59 min 22 sec

You may be familiar with the State Library's series "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Library Boards," but with three brand-new habits, we're upping the number to ten! Join Patrick Callahan of Callahan Municipal Consultants as he outlines then habits library boards can practice to become their most effective. From mission and vision to continuous learning, you're sure to learn something new you can put into practice in your boardroom.

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Runnining a Board Meeting

Robert's Rules of Order: How to Be an Effective Chair

Susan Leahy (Oct 19, 2010) 7:54min

In this video, especially for meeting Chairs, Susan Leahy M.A. teaches how to make powerful interventions to handle difficult meeting situations. Susan shares how to make both direct and indirect interventions and when to make them, to enhance board productivity and effectiveness. Having an effective chair is essential to using Robert's Rules of Order effectively. For more information visit our website listed below: http://robertsrulesmadesimple.com/

Phillip Michael, Assistant Attorney General of Kansas, in a dark gray-brown suit, white shirt and light blue tie presents at Salina KS.

Public KOMA and KORA Training Provided by the Kansas Attorney Generals Office

City of Salina (February 5, 2020) 1:21:30

Philip Michael, an Assistant Attorney General for the state of Kansas, gave a presentation in Salina on two state laws that protect the public’s access to government meetings and government records.

The Basics of Making Motions

OREAinfo (May 31, 2014) 3:17min

Learn the basic steps for making and voting on motions at board of directors or committee meetings. Just-in-time Learning videos are designed for busy volunteers and association leaders. Lasting just a few minutes, each video covers one topic that volunteers need to know to be effective and productive. This Presiding Like a Pro series includes real-life scenarios in a board or committee meeting and covers topics that help volunteers make the most of their meetings.

Parliamentary Procedure Basics

pkcraven (February 3, 2015) 15:43

In this video 4-H Youth from the 4-H Youth Development of New Mexico State University demonstrate Parliamentary Procedure. This video breaks down the basics of meeting format, roles, making motions, etc.

How to Report Vieiwing a Video

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