Trustee Essentials: Responsibilities

Section outline

• Select section Welcome to the Course

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  Welcome to the Course

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  There is a lot to learn about being a Public Library Trustee and this introductory course provides a comprehensive overview to get you started as a new trustee or provide a refresher for those who are currently serving in this important role.

  Time to complete is approximately 60 minutes.

  Image citation: Reymer, Suzanne, Lewis and Clark Library Trustees. 25 February 2023.
  

  
  

  • Select activity Course Information and Navigation

    

    Course Information and Navigation Book

    Completion

    Students must

    

    Mark as done

    Read this section first for some information about the course and how to navigate through.

• Select section Trustee Roles and Responsibilities

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  Trustee Roles and Responsibilities

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

    

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

    Completion

    Students must

    

    View
  • Select activity Knowledge Check

    

    Knowledge Check Quiz

    Completion

    Students must

    

    Receive a grade

    

    Receive a passing grade

    You will have multiple attempts to pass this Knowledge Check before you unlock the course Acknowledgement and Evaluation. 

• Select section Useful Resources

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  Useful Resources

  • Select activity Public Library Survey and Dashboard

    

    Public Library Survey and Dashboard Book

    Completion

    Students must

    

    View

    This section provides information about the Public Libraries Survey and using the PLS Data Dashboard on the MSL Website.

    New content added May 19, 2023.

  • Select activity Guides, Handbooks, and Other Useful Resources

    

    Guides, Handbooks, and Other Useful Resources Folder

    Completion

    Students must

    

    View

    This folder contains several useful and downloadable resources.  Browse through the items and download items for your use.  

    For additional resources that are useful for Trustees, please visit the MSL Webpage.

    • Trustee Manual, Vol. 1: Getting Started - the revised handbook for new trustees containing useful information on the responsibilities and duties of a trustee
    • Trustee Manual, Vol. 2: Continuing On - more information for trustees on hiring a director, promoting the library and planning for the future

• Select section Course Wrap Up

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  Course Wrap Up

  • Select activity This course is an introduction to the work of a pu...

    This course is an introduction to the work of a public library trustee. Additional courses will be available that dive deeper into the following topics:

    • Library Standards
    • Local Government
    • Supervising the Director
    • Planning
    • Policy Development
    • Budgeting and Finance
    • and others

    
    

  • Select activity Acknowledgement

    

    Acknowledgement Choice

    I hereby acknowledge that I have completed the activities in this course and understand the ethical and legal responsibilities of a public library trustee.

    I understand that I am expected to

    • serve the public’s interest first
    • perform my duties openly with the public
    • attend meetings regularly
    • come prepared to meetings
    • communicate clearly
    • have respect for others

    
    

    Not available unless: The activity Knowledge Check is marked complete
  • Select activity Course Evaluation

    

    Course Evaluation Feedback

    We hope you've enjoyed this course! Please evaluate your experience by completing this survey. Your feedback is essential to help us improve the quality and content of this and future courses.  

    Note: your continuing education certificate will unlock below when you complete the evaluation.

    It will take about 3 minutes to complete.
    

    
    

    Not available unless: The activity Acknowledgement is marked complete