By Ellen Miller
Library trustees are busy folks. Jobs, family, medical appointments, other volunteer gigs. No wonder amnesia is a job hazard – “What, we voted last month to be open on Friday nights?” Apathy lurks close behind. A lack of crises can spawn a “same old, same old” attitude.
Board adrenaline spikes with these proven motivators:
ROI (Return on Investment): Showing the library’s economic value to all community stakeholders is “must do,” not a rainy day chore. Your competition does it—police, fire, parks and recreation, etc. Tell how library tax revenues are leveraged for the community’s benefit.
- Get partners! Nine southwest Ohio public library systems commissioned an economic benfit study. They turned $74 million received in 2005 into a quantifiable direct economic benefit of $238.6 million. That’s $3.81 for every $1 received.
Lawsuits. Library Friends make a huge difference. Some help just one branch. Others serve the entire system. Either way, they provide much-needed money for staff training, summer reading, etc. And their advocacy at city hall and the courthouse is invaluable.
- However, relations can crumble. One library’s request that its Friends do a financial audit and that group’s desire to fund non-library recipients prompted a lawsuit. Moral for a mutually satisfactory relationship? Both parties agree to good business practices.
Facilities. Bricks-and-mortar projects hit trustee hot buttons! Their name goes on a plaque, leaving a legacy. They get to critique fancy architectural drawings and fabric samples. They get kudos for the community’s new amenity.
- However, pitfalls lurk. Is your board mired in endless “do we or don’t we?” discussions? Book a meeting with the architect. Learn how to evaluate your current space.
- Library café. Nothing irks busy patrons more than having to duck out for lunch or caffeine. Consider a café when remodeling. It’ll help hungry users and your image. First, find out how it’s worked in other libraries.
Add CE to Your Board Meeting
Crises and opportunities motivate boards. So can continuing education (CE). The problem? Trustees dislike extra meetings. Solution? Add a short CE to your monthly board session – no travel, no hassle. For example, use a short DVD segment on trustee responsibilities and self-evaluation.
Directors, YOU be the trainer! Does your board need help with “Effective Board Meetings,” or “Marketing the library to the community”? Get a ready-made, one-page director outline and its short trustee handout. The Kansas Trustee Education Program (KanTEP) pilot test showed that all 46 trustees at four libraries wanted occasional board meeting CE topics.
More at the Upcoming Trustee Webinar!
Join the Association of Small and Rural Libraries’ webinar, “Motivating your board: Money, lawsuits, facilities!” Veteran trustees Jim Connor and Ellen Miller have worked with dozens of boards. Cameo speaker Leanne Hathcock, director of the Aztec, NM Public Library, shows how to bring a new board on board with earlier, important partnerships.
- Thursday, July 31st, 11 a.m. PDT, 2 p.m. EDT
- Details about “Motivating your board: Money, lawsuits, facilities” and webinar set up instructions are available on WebJunction
- Sponsors: WebJunction and the Association of Small and Rural Libraries
Tip: Eat a power bar first! This fast-moving webinar includes audience participation, samples and examples.