Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives Launches Trustee Certification Program

All programs mentioned in this post are voluntary.

Although Wisconsin doesn't provide a certification program for public library trustees, the Public Library Development Team provides a wealth of  resources for directors to use to educate and inform trustees about their responsibilities.


LINK to the guidelines of this voluntary program (5 pages)

New library trustee certification program announced.  (The Lane Report, 4/26/2012)

Excerpt:  The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA) recently unveiled the Kentucky Public Library Trustee Certification program, the first of its kind in the state. The program was created to provide trustees with the tools that will help them fulfill their responsibilities to the libraries and their communities. 

Eighty-five public library trustees were certified in the inaugural event, which took place at the Kentucky Public Library Association/Kentucky Library Trustees Roundtable spring conference in Bowling Green. This figure represents over 10 percent of all public library trustees in Kentucky. 

“Public library trustees advocate for the library, hire a director to manage the library, establish policies, monitor finances, and plan for the library’s future,” said KDLA continuing education consultant Beth Milburn. “The Trustee Certification program is designed to educate and inform those who have been appointed to this very important position. Libraries are a cornerstone of the community, and they need to be well managed to meet the needs of the citizens they serve. Certified trustees will be more effective in their duties.”

Other states that offer a similar program for library trustees.  (Not a thorough search.)

Kansas (established in 2007)






Montana  (established in 1990)

Vermont allows trustees to participate as workshop space allows.  (The program has been in effect in its present form for 25 years.)



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