The New Jersey State Library in partnership with the New Jersey Library Trustee Association is once again offering the online trustee webinar training series, the Trustee Academy, and Short Takes for Trustees, from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.

The Trustee Academy features a series of online webinars for trustees developed by United for Libraries, the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends, and Foundations, a division of the American Library Association. Topics include: Trustees Basics I & II; Working Effectively with the Library Director; the Library’s Budget; Advocating for Your Library; Evaluating the Library Director; and two specific classes for New Jersey trustees on Per Capita State Aid and New Jersey Library Law.

There are three new webinars this year:

Troubled Library Boards: Prevention and Survival

Troubled library boards are increasingly common. Serving on a troubled board is stressful, and it can take the focus away from a board’s primary mission. What essential practices can prevent or minimize board problems? When a board does become dysfunctional, how can those involved survive and create change? This recorded webinar is led by Sally Gardner Reed, former executive director of United for Libraries.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion: What Trustees Need to Know

Merging Your Library Friends & Foundation

In the library world today, there is a huge need for support organizations – Friends and Foundations – but often the lines between these two groups are blurred and their work counter-productive. In this webinar, presenters Peter Pearson and Sue Hall discuss the difference in the roles of Friends and foundations and identify areas where there can be conflict – and present strategies for minimizing conflict. They also address the question, “When is it time for the two organizations to merge?” and share solutions for engaging in a merger process that minimizes pain and maximizes potential. Pearson and Hall also talk abou t national challenges and trends for Friends and foundations.

In addition to the Trustee Academy, we are offering the Short Takes for Trustees, a series of 10 short videos (8-10 minutes each) that can be shown during Trustee meetings to stimulate discussion about the important role that Trustees play in the governan ce of their libraries. Topics in the series explain the basics, such as what it means to be a Trustee (discussing the broad fiduciary responsibilities of governing boards as well as the limits of an advisory board), as well as how to set policy, how to evaluate the library director (and why you should!), along with board self-evaluation, and the ethical and parliamentary standards for boards — both governing and advisory.

For further information and to setup a login please link below:

The new link is http://www.ala.org/united/trustee-training/nj/

Login request form at http://www.ala.org/united/login-request

If you have any difficulty accessing the webinars, please contact United for Libraries Beth Nawalinski, Executive Director, United for Libraries at bnawalinski@PROTECTED