Top Picks

Just added, IFLS Library System Library Trustee Workshop

Everything You Want To Know About Book Challenges…and a Bit You Probably Don’t

In person, free, lunch included! Find all the details on the IFLS calendar.

Choose one location:

Saturday, February 24   10:00-1:30, Altoona Public Library  register by February 15

OR

Saturday, March 2     10:00-1:30, Somerset Public Library   register by February 22

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NEW! Wisconsin Library Buildings & Spaces

A resource for Wisconsin public library directors, staff and trustees about library building and renovation projects. 

Find on-demand webinars and resources from professionals across the state, as well as a list of recently completed projects from Wisconsin libraries. Topics include renovation, space reconfiguration, new building projects, and more.

Go to the Wisconsin Library Buildings & Spaces website.

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Wisconsin Trustee Training Week, August 21-25, 2023

Free! Recordings are available.

Library Director Hiring Guide

Your library director has just announced they’re leaving. Now what? You’ve never done this beforewhere do you start?

Hiring a library director is one of the most important and challenging duties of library boards in Wisconsin. Trustees have to figure out what kind of leadership the library needs, find a candidate withthe skills to meet those needs and then foster the new director’s success.

Every library is unique, and each hiring process is different, too. It can be a complicated and overwhelming task.

The IFLS Library System can help, with step-by-step navigation throughout the process or targetedguidance as needed.

Trustee Resources

Information about issues important to public library board members. (If you need additional support on Trustee issues, contact John Thompson, IFLS Director)

Public Library Trustee Orientation 2023: This comprehensive presentation was created by John Thompson and is a great place to start as a new Public Library Trustee or as a review for experienced Trustees.

Trustee Essentials: A Handbook for Wisconsin Public Library Trustees from the Department of Public Instruction. An invaluable resource!

Wisconsin Trustee Training Week webinars are archived, and you can watch them anytime at the Wisconsin Trustee Training Week website.

Trustees Supporting Library Directors Series (2020) with Melissa McLimans and Stef Morrill. This excellent series is highly recommended. Watch the recordings and access other resources here.

  • Session One: Understanding Your Role

Recording of Trustees Supporting Library Directors:  Understanding Your Role

Using Your Passions as a Library Trustee handout

Trustees and Directors Part 1 slides

  • Session Two: Understanding the Library

Recording of Trustees Supporting Library Directors:  Understanding the Library

Trustees Supporting Library Directors, Part 2 slides

Understanding My Library Services and Resources Worksheet

  • Session Three:  Connecting Libraries and the Community

Recording of Trustees Supporting Library Directors:  Connecting Libraries and the Community

Trustees Supporting Library Directors Part 3 slides

Open Meeting and Public Records Information

Staying Informed

Looking for ways to stay informed about libraries and library issues? The following resources are some good places to start:

Library Advocacy

Library Director Evaluation

Evaluating the Libray Director can be a difficult task for library boards but it is important tool for the board in evaluating library service and the performance of the director.  DPI’s Trustee Essential #6 provides a good overview of the process as well as a sample evaluation form.  Mid-Hudson Library System (New York) has additional resources for evaluating the director on their Evaluating the State of the Library – Director Evaluation page.

Library Director Hiring

 Trustee Essential #5 Hiring a Library Director (Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction)

Library Policies

One of the main responsiblities of a Library Board is to establish policies that govern the use of the library.  Those policies must be legal and appropriate for the community.  The Library Director should recommend new policies and review and recommended changes to an existing policy.  The Library Board should review and approve any new or revised policy.  The Division for Libraries, Technology and Community Learning has developed a Wisconsin Public Library Policy Resources website that contains links to policies from other libraries and other resources that can aid in the development of library policies. 

United for Libraries Virtual 2023: trustees, friends, foundations

Recordings available by August 8

How to view:

Go to the access page, navigate to Wisconsin and either log in the the Access link or use the Register link to create your free account.

Free access was paid for by the Wisconsin State Library.