Branching Out


Branching Out is a diverse collection of resources and information about library trusteeship, effective boards and more.  Like a tree, Branching Out allows you to grow in any direction, reaching your full potential as an individual trustee and as a Board

From here, you can link to every page on this site, and to resources from other organizations. Check back often. We’re growing this database of useful resources to meet your needs.

Branching Out will continue to grow with your help.  If you can’t find what you’re looking for, or if you think we’ve missed something, drop us a line and let us know.

Click, go, grow!

Your role as trustee
ALTA Trustee Learning: Understanding your role
ALTA Trustee Learning: Being an effective Board member
ALTA Leaflets: Roles and Relationships, Secretary and Treasurer
ALTA Trustee Learning: Understanding who does what
ALTA Videos: Three Hats: Roles and Responsibilities, Cautions: Knowing Your Roles and Responsibilities
ALTA Online Learning Module: Policy, Lesson 2
ALTA/Board Development Program Online Learning Module: Roles and Responsibilities
BCLTA Online Learning Program/Basic Roles and Responsibilities
Three Hats: Roles and Responsibilities
Download video: MP4 format | Ogg format
Cautions: Knowing Your Roles and Responsibilities
Role and duties of the Chair
ALTA Leaflet: Orientation Checklist
ALTA Trustee Learning: Understanding your role as Chair
ALTA Video: Three Hats: Roles and Responsibilities
ALTA Trustee Learning: Understanding key duties of the Chair
ALTA Trustee Learning: Assigning roles and responsibilities
ALTA Leaflet: Sample Board Position Descriptions
ALTA Trustee Learning: Working with the Library Manager
Board Development Program, Government of Alberta: Effective organizations call for effective chairs
Policy and bylaw requirements
ALTA Trustee Learning: Meeting policy and by-law requirements
ALTA Leaflet: Library Board Bylaws
ALTA Leaflet: Library Policies
Parkland Regional Library (brochure). Municipal Council Roles and Responsibilities concerning Municipal Library Boards in Alberta
ALTA Online Learning Module: Policy, Lesson 3
Government of Alberta, Libraries Act Regulation, 2008
Leading effective meetings
ALTA Leaflet: Agenda samples
ALTA Trustee Learning: Leading effective meetings
ALTA Trustee Learning: Setting the calendar for the year
Dalhousie University Non-Profit Sector Leadership Program, Chairing a Board Meeting
Dalhousie University Non-Profit Sector Leadership Program, 10 Ideas for Improving your Board Meetings
Legislated responsibilities
ALTA Trustee Learning: Meeting policy and by-law requirements
ALTA Leaflet: Library Policies
ALTA Leaflet: Library Board Bylaws
Parkland Regional Library (brochure). Municipal Council Roles and Responsibilities concerning Municipal Library Boards in Alberta
ALTA Trustee Learning: Knowing what your Board does
ALTA Online Learning Module: Policy, Lesson 3
Government of Alberta, Libraries Act, 2007
Government of Alberta, Libraries Act Regulation, 2008
Government of Alberta, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP), Guidelines and Practices 2009
Financial Monitoring and Accountabilities
ALTA Trustee Learning: Learning the financial basics
Using rules of order / handling motions
ALTA Trustee Learning: Knowing what to expect at meetings
ALTA Trustee Learning: Handling motions
ALTA Trustee Learning: Using rules of order
ALTA Trustee Learning: Going in camera
Robert’s Rules of Order Online
National Association of Parliamentarians, Parliamentary Basics: Presiding (over a meeting)
National Association of Parliamentarians, Parliamentary Basics: Motions
Retention and recruitment of new trustees
ALTA Leaflet: Orientation Checklist
Dalhousie University Non-Profit Sector Leadership Program, Your Board Recruitment Package
Dalhousie University Non-Profit Sector Leadership Program, Succession Planning Checklist, Board Members
Representing your library to the community
ALTA Trustee Learning: Knowing your local library
ALTA Trustee Learning: Talking up your library
Marigold Library System. Marketing 101: Expanding the Library’s Customer Base
Idaho Commission for Libraries Community and Public Relations
Championing library values
ALTA Trustee Learning: Exploring the larger library community
BCLTA Online Learning Program - Core Values (video)
Canadian Library Association, Opening the Book, A National Strategy for Canadians with Print Disabilities 2005
Canadian Library Association, Position Statement on Intellectual Freedom
Canadian Library Association - Position Statement on Internet Access
Policy making
Ontario Library Boards Association, Ontario Library Service North, Policy Development Workshop
Going in camera
Dalhousie University Non-Profit Sector Leadership Program, in camera Board Sessions
Board development
Strathcona County Library: Board Self-Evaluation Questionnaire
Ontario Library Boards Association, Leadership Development Toolkit
Preparing your plan of service
Government of Alberta, Public Library Services Branch, Plans of Service in Alberta Public Libraries, presentation
Government of Alberta, Public Library Services Branch, Plans of Service in Alberta Public Libraries, toolkit
Keeping records
ALTA Leaflet: Board Records Checklist
ALTA Leaflet: Board Minutes Checklist
ALTA Trustee Learning: Keeping records
Board and Trustee Evaluation
ALTA Leaflet: Trustee Self-Assessment
ALTA Leaflet: Board Chair Feedback Form
ALTA Trustee Learning: Growing into Trusteeship
ALTA Trustee Learning: Growing into the role of Chair
Strathcona County Library: Board Self-Evaluation Questionnaire
Tools for Trustees: The Georgia Public Library Trustee Manual
Public Library System Directors Organizations Trustee Training Grant, New York State University, Library Board Evaluation Module
Library Manager selection, evaluation, and succession
BCLTA Online Learning Program/ Ch3 Select/ Support/ Evaluate the CEO (video)
The Muttart Foundation, Hiring and Performance Appraisal of the Executive Director
Understanding our library system
Government of Alberta, Municipal Affairs, Public Library Services Branch, Standards and Best Practices for Library Services Pages 6-11 (print) or 16-25 (PDF)
Committees
ALTA Leaflet: Committee Terms of Reference
Edmonton Public Library Board: Centennial Committee (sample Terms of Reference)
ALTA Trustee Learning: Establishing committees
If you are an administrative board
Government of Alberta, Public Library Services Branch, Standards for Libraries in Regional Library Systems
Books/ big documents to read
Government of Alberta, Municipal Affairs, Public Library Services Branch, Standards and Best Practices for Library Services
If you are a Library System Board
Parkland Regional Library (brochure). Municipal Council Roles and Responsibilities concerning Municipal Library Boards in Alberta
Government of Alberta, Public Library Services Branch, Standards for Member Libraries within Alberta’s Regional Library System
ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES & RELATIONSHIPS POLICY AND PLANNING EFFECTIVE MEETINGS BOARD EFFECTIVENESS
Your role as a trustee Role and duties of the chair Policy and bylaw  requirements Leading effective meetings Governance
Legislated responsibilities Financial monitoring and accountabilities Policy making Using rules of order/ handling motions Retention and recruitment of new trustees
Representing your library to the community Championing library values Preparing your plan of service Going in camera Board development
Library Manager selection, evaluation, and succession Building relationships in the community Keeping records Board and Trustee evaluation
Books/ big documents to read Understanding our library system Committees If you are an administrative board
If you are a Library System Board