THE for America’s Libraries VOICE ISSN 1084-4694 VOLUME 18, ISSUE 1 FEBRUARY 2017 United for Libraries debuts new Trustee Academy Library System, United for Libraries has debuted this course covers, a new series of the Trustee Academy, for both govern- a collection of online courses to help ing and advisory Trustees become exceptionally profi- boards, why it’s cient in their roles on behalf of their important to do libraries. All courses are taught by a an annual evalu- professional in the field. Courses in- ation, the evalua- clude: tion process, and how to coach the IN THIS ISSUE Trustee Competencies library director Led by Kevin Tomlinson, area field President’s Message 2 and give feedback throughout the year. consultant with the Idaho Commis- News & Notes 3 sion for Libraries, this course covers Standing Up for Intellectual Framework for Foundations 6 the knowledge, skills, abilities, and at- tributes of a successful public library Freedom Tools for Trustees 8 Trustee. Led by James (Jamie) LaRue, director Focus on Friends 12 of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, this Friends on Campus 15 Working Effectively with the course covers intellectual freedom, the Good Ideas from the Network 16 Library Director core value of librarianship, the differ- Conference Update 21 Led by Deirdre Brennan, executive ence between a challenge and a ban, director of Reaching Across Illinois library policy and the process of recon- Book Club Choices 22 Library System (RAILS), this course sideration, the purpose of the Office for Corporate Sponsors & Board of Directors 23 covers the role of the board, the role of Intellectual Freedom and the Freedom Books for Babies 24 the library director, and how to com- to Read Foundation, and resources and municate effectively with each other. services offered by the Office for Intel- Learn about strategic planning, board lectual Freedom. meetings, an emergency communica- tion plan, and how to create a sustain- BUILDING THE FUTURE Everyday Advocacy — Why the able and effective working relationship. Learn how library directors, Trustees, Library Matters! Led by Libby Post, strategist-in-chief and Friends can work together for The Library’s Budget for and president of Communication libraries. Trustees Services, this course covers getting to page 3 Led by Marcellus Turner, city librar- know your funders and letting them ian, The Seattle (Wash.) Public Library, know what the library is doing, and NEW FUNDRAISING this course covers understanding where importantly, why it matters. Learn funding comes from, working with the RESOURCE how to be a powerful voice at budget director to develop the budget, ensur- time to ensure your library receives the The Foundation Center has debuted ing the budget is in alignment with funding it needs. “Visualizing Funding for Libraries.” goals, making the case for the budget page 6 to funders, making effective budget The cost for the series is $300 presentations, and monitoring the bud- for non-members and $225 for mem- get at monthly meetings. BOARD ORIENTATION bers. Special prices are available for statewide or regional purchases of the Find out what your new Trustees need Evaluating the Library Director Trustee Academy. For more informa- to be a successful board member. Led by Donna McDonald, director, tion, visit www.ala.org/united/training/ page 10 Arkansas River Valley (Ark.) Regional trustee_academy. www.ala.org/united 1-800-545-2433, ext. 2161 1 President’s Message Part II: What I hope to know In our last my colleagues from United for Librar- about the library of the future in new newsletter, I told ies in a session titled “Building the and different ways. Innovating for the you the truth Future: Public Library Directors and future starts with collecting diverse when I said that Their Trustees Making Future Policy insights and thinking in new and differ- as hard as I try, I Decisions Together!” Also presenting ent ways.” will never learn during the session were Sally Gardner On page 2 of this newsletter you everything there Reed, executive director, United for Li- will find a reprint of an article about is to know about braries; Peter Pearson, lead consultant, the session by Terra Dankowski that volunteering, Susan Schmidt Library Strategies Consulting Group, originally appeared in American Li- fundraising, or United for Libraries and Fred Stielow, Trustee, Anne Arun- braries (http://americanlibraries advocating for President del County (Md.) Library System, magazine.org). On page 8 is a piece by our libraries. More than 40 library directors, staff, Fred Stielow from the session. Another truth that I have recently dis- and Trustees heard how volunteers What do I understand now? covered is that I enjoy connecting with would be challenged to adjust library One person doesn’t have to know people who have insight into how li- policies because of innovative practices everything, because we are all in this braries are changing, and what we need that their communities will expect. together — library staff, Friends, Trust- to understand to continue volunteer “Thinking about the future re- ees, Foundations, and library lovers. support. This truth led me to partici- quires us to work together — library Find the answers from experts. Don’t pate in various sessions and meetings directors, library professionals, board reinvent the wheel. We have no choice at the ALA Midwinter Meeting in At- members, Friends, and volunteers,” but to catch our breath and forward lanta. I was fortunate enough to attend said Miguel Figueroa, director of the on — together. See, that wasn’t so hard several sessions of the Symposium on Center for the Future of Libraries. “Be- to learn! the Future of Libraries, sponsored by yond helping with activities and proj- ALA’s Center for the Future of Librar- ects, volunteers might also try to find a ies. There, speakers from all types of little time to talk with staff about their libraries around the country explored experiences outside the library — the The Voice for America’s Libraries what’s happening now and what to changes they are seeing in technology, is published by United for Libraries: The Association of expect in the next few years — and in schools and education, in entertain- Library Trustees, Advocates, beyond. ment, or even in stores and restaurants Friends and Foundations, a Additionally, I was able to join — and how that makes them think division of the American Library Association (ALA). SPECIAL OFFER: For membership information, Orders of 100 or call (800) 545-2433, ext. 2161, more Books for Ba- email [email protected], or visit bies kits will include www.ala.org/united. free onesies courtesy of Penguin Random United for Libraries House. Offer is valid 859 W. Lancaster Ave. while supplies last. Unit 2-1 Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 Color, graphic, and size will vary and Send editorial contributions, will automatically be articles, newsletters and news added to orders of releases attention The Voice 200 or more kits. To to the address above or to order, see Page 24. [email protected]. The Voice is a copyrighted SPECIAL OFFER: Orders of 100 or more Books for publication and cannot be Babies kits will include FREE onesies courtesy of photocopied and distributed. Penguin Random House. 2 www.ala.org/united 1-800-545-2433, ext. 2161 News & Notes Directors, Trustees, and Friends build the future: How the relationships between supportive groups can fund and advocate for libraries BY TERRA DANKOWSKI Associate Editor, American Libraries director of United for Librar- ies, confessed that her own “You may still have the views on fundraising have wonderful, older volunteers evolved, and that we should who want to do the book more seriously be considering sales,” acknowledges Susan J. the library’s importance and Schmidt, president of United financial future in this “era of for Libraries, “but as [your li- fake news.” brary] changes, we’re going to “I used to comment, ‘As have to help them adapt.” soon as the police depart- Schmidt kicked off her ment does a bake sale, we’ll 2017 Midwinter Meeting & do some fundraising,’” says Exhibits session, “Building Reed. “[But] I totally fell in the Future: Public Libraries The panel, from left: Fred Stielow, Susan J. Schmidt, Peter Pearson, Sally love with fundraising,” she and Their Trustees Making Gardner Reed. says. “I love the nurturing Future Policy Decisions To- part of it.” gether!” in Atlanta on Jan. Reed’s spoke to how di- 22 by painting a picture of the chal- president of The Friends of the St. Paul rectors and Trustees can better work lenges directors, Trustees, and Friends (Minn.) Library, focused his talk on the together. Directors need to communi- groups are up against. Panelists then importance of fundraising. Libraries, cate trends and changing demographics presented tactics for ways these groups he says, have to think about place- to the board, she says, and Trustees can leverage their relationships, to keep based issues such as safety and security, need to accept that we’re currently in the library technologically competitive redesign and renovation, makerspaces a climate that may not be friendly to and financially sound. and business centers, and the need to libraries — or else step back from the Fred Stielow, a Trustee at Anne acquire and house print materials. role. Arundel County (Md.) Library System “How should a library look at During the Q&A period, Clau- and a retired scholar who has worked all demands from the community?” dia Bellony-Atanga, president of the as a university library dean, library di- Pearson asks. “Strong, stable funding.” Trustee board at Charles County (Md.) rector, and professor, presented a paper He highlighted six ways to enable this Public Library, asked how directors that described how libraries historically funding: outstanding customer service and Trustees can assemble more di- came to be, and how the postmod- (“when people have these amazing verse boards, including Millennials and ern library is “no longer confined to experiences, you create advocates”), people of color.