Continuing Education Archives

Your library facility is your largest physical asset, and you'll likely spend a significant amount of your budget keeping it maintained. This presentation will walk you the basics of getting to know your facility, the importance of keeping it clean and maintained, and additional tips and information including doing a renovation, remodel or new build, and having a capital improvement plan.

When new trustees and directors start their roles at the library, some confusion about responsibilities can arise. Clarifying boundaries and roles helps strengthen relationships and the organization as a whole. Chatham Area Public Library Vice-President Christine Westerlund and Library Director Amy Byers discuss how each position is essential and how success depends on understanding their respective roles.

Dr. Leanne Furby, Project Manager and Course Developer, gives an overview of the statewide iLEAD Trustee Training Portal. This free resource is designed to give Illinois public library trustees a solid foundation of learning and best practices on which to build their library knowledge.

RAILS Executive Director Monica Harris and IHLS Executive Director Leslie Bednar outline the benefits of library system membership and how you can take advantage of everything the systems offer.

Adam Simon, Partner at Ancel Glink, covers key aspects of the budget and levy process, focusing on the statutes that govern them, the interplay between law and politics, and the procedural steps involved. Topics include the tax cap, differences between home rule and non-home rule jurisdictions, the role of Tax Increment Financing (TIFs), and the Personal Property Replacement Tax (PPRT).

Kate Hall and Kathy Parker, authors of The Public Library Director's Toolkit, teach you how to navigate leadership transitions with a clear succession plan so your library’s “takeoffs and landings” go smoothly. Learn what directors and trustees must have in place before a director departs, how to onboard a new leader successfully, and strategies for ensuring a seamless transition, complete with a flight plan, onboarding checklist, and sample succession plan.

Kathy Parker of Kathy Parker Consulting introduces the basics of insurance, including health, liability, unemployment, and workers' compensation coverage. You'll learn what each type of insurance is, why it matters, and how it protects you in different situations.

Amanda Standerfer of Fast Forward Consulting outlines a four-phase strategic planning process that guides libraries from initiating the effort to implementing and evaluating a clear plan.

Amanda McKay, Director of the Effingham Public Library, guides you through the essential steps of emergency preparedness, covering what to do before, during, and after an emergency. Learn how to create a plan, stay safe in the moment, and recover effectively once the danger has passed.