Public library board development

Resources for board members

The following is some information that may assist library board members with their ongoing education.

Library Board Orientations

Public Library Services Branch (PLSB) offers in-person or virtual board orientations. During a board orientation, PLSB staff will present information about the structure of library service and board responsibilities.

These orientations cover basic board governance information or can be customized to focus on specific topics at the request of the board.

Topics covered may include (but are not limited to) the:

• structure of library service in Alberta, including a brief history of library service in Alberta and the roles of the province, the library system, the municipality and the board in library service delivery
• role of the board as whole, including essential information from the Libraries Act and Libraries Regulation, and information about the board’s plan of service, policies, bylaws, and budget
• roles and responsibilities of individual board members, including fiduciary duties and mitigating governance risks

Contact us at 780-427-4871 or libraries@gov.ab.ca to request a board orientation.

Library Board Basics workshops

Library Board Basics workshops are open to all library board members and library managers. They are designed to help participants govern effectively and support public library service in their communities.

Participants learn about:

• the Libraries Act and Libraries Regulation
• the structure of public library service in Alberta, including the Alberta Public Library Network
• library board roles and responsibilities
• governance tools, including plan of service, policies and budget
• library board member roles and responsibilities
• library board funding and finances
• relationships with other library stakeholders, and board-staff relationships

Workshops are offered in the spring and fall at various locations across the province. There is no fee to attend the workshop. Meals (including lunch the day of the workshop), travel, and any required accommodation will be the participant’s responsibility.

Participants will receive a handbook, and copies of the Libraries Act and Libraries Regulation.
Workshops are announced via email to all board chairs and library managers, and listed on PLSB’s Eventbrite page.

Governance pagers

PLSB provides pagers on a variety of governance topics. These are short and specific documents designed to assist boards and councils in understanding their roles and responsibilities.

Appointments

• Appointments to the municipal library board
• Appointments to the intermunicipal library board
• Appointments to library system boards
• Appointing councillors to the municipal or intermunicipal library board
• Appointment Best Practices for Municipal Boards
• Resolving issues with Library Board Appointments

Governance

• Municipal Library Boards in Alberta: Roles and Responsibilities
• Municipal Library Board Incorporation
• Board Members Working in the Library

Working with municipal councils

• Municipal Councils and Library Boards: Roles and Responsibilities
• Board-Municipality Agreements: Questions to Ask

Board establishment

• Establishment bylaws to create municipal library boards
• Intermunicipal library boards – establishment and responsibilities

Non-profit learning centre

The Community Development Unit (CDU) from the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Status of Women offers support for non-profit organizations through their Non-profit learning centre.

The CDU focuses on improving the governance of non-profit organizations through online courses, live webinars and documents and guides for individuals. Topics include board roles and responsibilities, policy development, financial management and effective use of committees. While these are not specific to library boards, they do offer board members a general understanding of board governance.

Contact

Connect with the Public Library Services Branch:

Phone: 780-427-4871
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: libraries@gov.ab.ca

Address:
17th Floor, Commerce Place
10155 102 Street
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4L4