Our E-Learning Content
Unit I - Background and Context for Public Libraries in BC
Chapter 1 - Brief History and Current Context of Public Libraries in BC
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This section of the program provides a brief overview of the history of public libraries in British Columbia and the role of the government in the evolution of public libraries. For the historical perspective, the greatest detail can be found in the document called "A Brief History of Public Libraries".
The video content also includes a summary of the provincial government's latest public library initiative - the background and completion of a Strategic Plan for Public Libraries - "Libraries Without Walls, The World Within Your Reach" in October 2004. It is important that every trustee be familiar with this Plan which will affect all libraries in the province. Today, much of the work at the provincial government's Public Library Service Branch is focussed around the implementation of this Plan.
Approx: 5 minutes
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Related Files: - Chapter 2 - Roles of Public Libraries
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There are a number of different roles that public libraries can play. Understanding and clarifying the primary roles of your public library can help Boards to meet the needs of their community and make it easier to establish priorities for services and funding. This section identifies the main roles of public libraries in the community.
Approx: 9 minutes
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Related Files: - Chapter 3 - Types of Public Libraries
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In British Columbia there are four main "types" of public libraries as defined by The Library Act. This section provides details on the main features and differences between the four types of public libraries. All trustees should be familiar with the regulations defining their "type" of library and the attached summary documents along with the links to the Library Act provide this essential information.
Approx: 9 minutes
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Related Files: - Chapter 4 - Other Types of Libraries
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To have a full appreciation for the role of "public" libraries, this section describes the other types of libraries in our communities - from academic libraries to "special" libraries. As well, some of the main library associations are mentioned briefly.
Approx: 8 minutes
Related Links:- British Columbia Library Association
- Canadian Library Association
- Canadian Library Trustees Association
- American Library Association
- British Columbia Teacher-Librarians Association
- Special Libraries Association/Western Canada Chapter
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- Chapter 5 - Core Values
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Ideally, library boards should have a statement of their core values. This section of the program discusses some of the most common core values for libraries and highlights how they can guide Board policy development and, at times, can conflict with community values.
Approx: 8 minutes
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Related Files: - Chapter 6 - BC Legislative and Support Framework
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This portion of the Trustee Orientation Program provides a more detailed examination of the role of the provincial government with respect to public libraries. It includes references to the Library Act and provides information on the programs and services provided by the Public Library Services Branch (PLSB). This section also covers the financial support provided to public libraries through Provincial Operating Grants and a description of the statistics collected and published by PLSB on every public library in the province. All trustees should be familiar with these resources that are available through the provincial government.
Approx: 6 minutes
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Related Files: - Chapter 7 - Library Board - Basic Roles and Responsibilities
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Clear roles and responsibilities are a basic requirement of any effective board. In this section of the TOP program, the main roles of the library board are identified. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of the Board vs. the role of the Chief Librarian (Director) and the importance for clarification of these roles. Similarly, the distinction between "management functions" and "board functions" is discussed. Basic trustee guidelines and expectations of board members are also covered.
Approx: 9 minutes
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- Unit II - Board Effectiveness and Leadership
- Chapter 1- Overview of Factors in Board Effectiveness
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Research shows that effective boards demonstrate particular characteristics. This chapter provides a brief introduction to the Eight Factors in Board Effectiveness. Then, in Chapters 2 - 9 these eight factors are reviewed individually in detail.
Approx: 6 minutes
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Related Files: - Chapter 2 - Mission and Purpose
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An effective board will have a clear understanding of its purpose and mission - including a mission statement that is widely publicized. This chapter asks Boards to consider some fundamental questions that will help clarify the library's role in the community such as - "What business are we in?" / "How do we measure success?"
Approx: 3 minutes
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- Chapter 3 - Select/Support/Evaluate the CEO
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Effective boards select their CEO/Director with care. Choice of a CEO is a million dollar decision. This chapter describes the key questions that should be answered in a "position profile" for the CEO. It also considers how a Board can support and effectively evaluate the CEO. Finally, the topic of staff succession planning is addressed.
Approx: 8 minutes
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- Chapter 4 - Articulate Roles and Responsibilities
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Effective boards have clearly defined roles and relationships. The Board knows its role (the what) and the CEO/Director knows his or her role (the how) and how to negotiate the middle ground. It is essential to have clarity around these roles.
This chapter also discusses the importance of clearly articulating the relationships between the Board, and municipal council and staff, and community and business leaders.
(We apologize for the poor audio quality of this chapter.)Approx: 16 minutes
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- Chapter 5 - Plan Strategically/Allocate Resources
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Effective boards plan strategically and focus on the necessary resources to realize their plans. This chapter focuses on the "agenda" as a tool for planning ahead and making decisions. It identifies "who" owns the agenda and provides a detailed description of a Consent Agenda that can streamline Board meetings to allow more time to deal with strategic issues.
This chapter also asks Board to reconfigure the way they look at the library services and programs, and the language they use when discussing the library.Approx: 10 minutes
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- Chapter 6 - Monitor and Evaluate
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In the business cycle of "Planning -> Implementing -> Evaluating" many boards fall down on the final step of evaluation. Effective boards have considered and answered the following questions: Are we measuring the right thing? Are we asking the right questions? The answers are often not obvious.
Our strategic plans should include specific objectives to achieve this plan - are these objectives SMART?
Finally, one specific suggestion is offered that might help Boards to establish or reaffirm their priorities.Approx: 10 minutes
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- Chapter 7 - Public Standing and Credibility
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This chapter asks the question - what is our standing in the community as a board? The chapter provides specific suggestions of what Library Boards can do to improve their public standing and credibility.
Approx: 5 minutes
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- Chapter 8 - Maintain Legal and Ethical Integrity
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Effective boards maintain legal and ethical integrity. This topic covers many aspects of the Board's business - from holding open and accessible public meetings, right through to the development of corporate sponsorship policies and financial/auditing responsibilities.
The role of the Annual Report as a means to maintain integrity is also discussed.Approx: 5 minutes
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- Chapter 9 - Board Recruitment
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Effective boards play a role in board recruitment by considering whether their Board is a demographic mirror of the community and whether their Board includes the right mix of skills. The need to spend time and resources on board development is also discussed.
Approx: 10 minutes
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- Chapter 10 - Community Development Outcomes
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This chapter focuses on the types of outcomes library boards are looking for - particularly in terms of community development. An example is given highlighting the key role that a library played in revitalizing a downtown district. The chapter also looks at the role of public libraries as a “center” of the community and describes why libraries are well suited to this role.
Approx: 11 minutes
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- Chapter 11 - Advocacy
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The role of "library advocate" is a key job responsibility for every trustee. This section of the program covers the main challenges of public library advocacy and includes some strategies to improve the outcomes of your advocacy efforts.
Approx: 9 minutes
Related Links:- BCLTA's Advocacy Resources - Strategies, Resources, Contacts, etc.
- Canadian Library Association - Advocacy Resources
- British Columbia Library Association - Advocacy section
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- Chapter 12 - Summary - Effective Boards
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This chapter reviews some of the broader concepts covered in Unit II - What kind of Board do we want? Are we supporting the CEO? What kind of impact will we have - individually as trustees and collectively as a Board?
This chapter also summarizes the key lessons learned about The Board, The Library and the Community.Approx: 8 minutes
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