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Trustee Education: Resources & Recordings

Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)

New York State’s Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law §87 et. seq.) allows members of the public to access records of governmental agencies. FOIL provides a process for the review and copying of an agency’s records. More information about the Freedom of Information Law can be found at: Freedom of Information Law | Open Government (ny.gov)

American Library Association (ALA) Library Bill of Rights

Robert's Rules of Order

Recordings

There are a number of resources to support you during your tenure as a library board Trustee. In addition to the recordings linked below, we invite you to ask questions or seek clarifications during Trustee Education sessions presented live/online by members of the RCLS Team. The RCLS calendar may be accessed here: Calendar – Ramapo Catskill Library System (rcls.org) to sign up for Trustee Education sessions (credit hours will be listed within the description for each session).

 

Duties & Responsibilities (October 19, 2021) | Recording Available Here

Preparation:
1) Read the section of the Trustee Handbook on Duties & Responsibilities
2) Thoughts to consider before watching the webinar recording:

  • What is your purpose as a Library Trustee?
  • What do you believe is the mission of your Library in the community?
  • Have you received a thorough orientation about the Library, its services and how it functions?
  • How can the Board be most effective as the public body entrusted with the future of the community’s library?

3) Watch the Duties & Responsibilities recording.
4) Review the program using the Duties & Responsibilities Post-Session Toolkit.

 

Library Board Meetings (November 16, 2021) | Recording Available Here

Preparation:
1) Read the section of the Trustee Handbook on Library Board Meetings.
2) Thoughts to consider before the watching the webinar recording:

  • Are your meetings well organized with a standard agenda and materials distributed well in advance?
  • Do all Board members regularly attend and are they well prepared?
  • Are you familiar with and faithfully follow the Open Meetings Law?
  • Do you review and approve all bills and personnel actions?
  • Are you fully apprised of all library activities from the various departments?

3) Watch the Library Board Meetings recording.
4) Review the program using the Library Board Meetings Post-Session Toolkit.