Congratulations! You are a Public Library Trustee...Now What?

Public service is a commitment you have made in accepting appointment as a trustee.  In order to participate effectively, you are expected to 

In your position as a volunteer trustee, public service to libraries requires a commitment to these expectations in order to effectively advocate for your library with community partners and promote library services to the public.

All new trustees come to the job with enthusiasm and some trepidation about what to expect.  You are not alone! Even some experienced trustees encounter situations and decisions that challenge their understanding of how to proceed.

Knowing the ethical and legal expectations for public service is a great way to ground yourself in both the scope and limitations of the job of a public library trustee.

Please watch this short video produced by the Wyoming State Library a few years ago. It is a little dated fashion-wise, but the humor and information are relevant for us today.


The presenters refer to a series of videos. You're welcome to access them as a supplement to this course in this YouTube playlist.

As you work through this section, keep a list of questions to discuss with your library director.  We will also suggest some questions you can use to learn more about the library, your role, and responsibilities. You can download and print this document to keep track of questions and answers.