The successful library trustee handbook

Designed to improve any board's effectiveness, this resource offers proven advice about what it takes to make everything from meetings to evaluations run smoothly and addresses the critical questions every board member needs to understand:

What does it mean to be on a library board of trustees? The how-tos of amplifying your message through partnerships How does advocacy work and why is it important? Who makes library policy? Is there a more effective way to do strategic planning?

Practical checklists, tables, and "what have you learned?" review items will help anyone maximize the experience of serving on a board. Trustees, administrators, consultants, trainers, and library students will welcome this hands-on, "bring it along and mark it up" reference.

• Preface to the Second Edition p. v
• Preface to the First Edition p. vii
• 1 Getting Started p. 1
• 2 Relationships p. 9
• 3 Meetings, Meetings, Meetings p. 16
• 4 Advocacy: A Basic Board Responsibility p. 25
• 5 Policy Development p. 32
• 6 Strategic Planning p. 42
• 7 Evaluate, Evaluate, Evaluate p. 51
• 8 Hiring and Firing a Director p. 65
• 9 Budgets, Liability, and Fund-Raising p. 76
• 10 You Are Not Alone p. 88
• 11 Is There a Future for Libraries? p. 91
• Appendixes
• A Resolution on the USA Patriot Act and Related Measures That Infringe on the Rights of Library Users p. 95
• B Useful Websites for Library Trustees p. 98
• C The Freedom to Read Statement p. 99
• D Library Bill of Rights p. 104
• Index p. 105