Virtual Learning for Library Trustees – August 2020

Are you looking to expand your knowledge when it comes to serving on the library board? Here are a few opportunities taking place in August that may interest you.

Trustee Talk: COVID-19 Pandemic & Public Library Governance
Wednesday, August 26, 10:00am

Are you a library trustee, board member, or commissioner? Would you like to share ideas with other trustees? Exchange information about effective library board practices? Would you like to learn from fellow board members from libraries across Colorado?

Trustee Talk is a new series of quarterly virtual meetups to allow for informal learning amongst library trustees, hosted by the Colorado State Library. This meetup will provide an online space for trustees to come together and consider important issues from a broad range perspectives.The topic for August’s Trustee Talk will be the COVID-19 Pandemic & Public Library Governance. Be prepared to discuss how the pandemic is impacting your library in terms of policy, planning, and public engagement. This discussion will center around the roles and responsibilities of the library board (advisory or governing), and will avoid areas of operational or procedural management.Participation will be encouraged, but not required. All attendees will be given the option to use voice, video, and chat features to communicate.

This meeting will not be recorded. This meeting will be limited to 50 participants, and is free to attend. Register to receive the Zoom login details for the 8/26 Trustee Talk.

Budget 101 & Audit 101 Webinars
August 18, August 25, September 1

These webinars are hosted by the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) and the Colorado Government Finance Officers Association.

These webinars are designed for those new to local government budgeting in Colorado. The budget webinar will cover local government budget law requirements, the budget adoption process, the basics of revenue limits (TABOR and “5.5%” limits), and how the Gallagher Amendment impacts local governments that levy property tax. The budget webinar will also provide details on demographic and economic trends that are occurring in the U.S. and Colorado, and will cover topics such as the aging of Colorado’s population, growing diversity in the labor force and the implications these changes could have on public finance and local government budgets. The audit webinar will cover local government audit law requirements, things to keep in mind when selecting an auditor, and the basics of an audit including key responsibilities of the auditor and local government management.

Register for the Budget 101 & Audit 1010 webinars on the CGFOA website.

Public Library Trustee Training & Support from the Colorado State Library

The Colorado State Library prioritizes training and support for public library trustees and library boards, to help library trustees be better prepared to meet the responsibilities of library board service.

Beginning in 2020, a new set of virtual training and support options are being offered. Virtual options include webinar, video conference, and telephone consultation. Training and support is available through regularly scheduled events on an ongoing basis, as well as by request for a specific library. All these offerings are free to trustees, staff, and volunteers that support Colorado Public Libraries.

View more information about the Colorado State Library’s Public Library Trustee Training & Support options or download a flyer to share with your library’s board. To request training or support for your library’s board, email Crystal Schimpf.

Colorado Library Trustee (COLT) Email List

Stay up to date on the latest information for Colorado Library Trustees by subscribing to the COLT email list. Members of the list receive up to four emails per month with news, training opportunities, conferences, and tips relevant to public library trustees.

Crystal Schimpf