Training
Trustee Training Requirements
Required Training
Beginning January 1, 2023, each trustee, elected or appointed, of a public library, association library or Indian Library will be required by NYSL Division of Library Development to complete a minimum of two hours of trustee education annually added by Chapter 468 of the Laws of 2021).
See the details at this link: Education Law 260-d
More information about the continuing education requirements for Trustees can also be found in the Trustee Training Memo. A schedule of Continuing Education Workshops via Zoom can be found here.
FAQs About Requirements
To help all trustees understand and meet the new trustee education requirements, Lauren Moore, Assistant Commissioner for Libraries and State Librarian established a joint New York State Library (NYSL) and Public Library System Director’s Organization (PULISDO) Trustee Education Committee. She asked the Committee to create a Frequently Asked Questions document.The FAQs and other materials are now available on the NYSL Division of Library Development webpage in the New and Updated section at:
FAQs & New InformationTrustee Training Resources
We all know how important it is for the effective governance of libraries that all library trustees know and understand the role, duties and responsibilities of trustees. The following are webinars and webcast hosted and or/sponsored by the New York State Library.
Helping All Trustees Succeed (HATS) Mini-Webinars -- A series of short online webinars focused on information trustees need to know. Issues such as Open Meetings Law, the Role of the Board President, Hiring a New Director, as well as other topics, covered in 10-15 minute presentations.
Public Library Finance and the Trustee’s Fiduciary Responsibilities, by Jerry Nichols, December 4, 2014.
The Critical Partnership: Public Library Trustees and Directors, by Gerald Nichols, June 10, 2014.
Basic Library Law for Trustees, November 8, 2013; Jerry Nichols, editor of the Handbook for Public Library Trustees of New York State and Director of the Palmer Institute for Public Library Organization and Management; Long Island University.
What Every Trustee Should Know, by Gerald Nichols, June 11, 2013.
Open Meetings Law Virtual Training - hosted by NYS Library in September 2022. Learn about responsibilities and recent statutory amendments. Slides of the presentation are also available online.