Trustee Resources

Finger Lakes Library System is available to assist our 33 member library Board of Trustees with guidance and information concerning laws, regulations, governance and best practices for public libraries. For assistance please contact FLLS at (607) 273-4074.

2018 Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State

We can also design and deliver workshops on:

• Advocacy and Public Relations
• Annual Report Questions
• Board Organization & Meetings
• Budgets & Finance
• Continuing Education
• 2023 Trustee Education Requirements FAQs
• Duties & Responsibilities
• Facilities
• Intellectual Freedom, Censorship, & Privacy
• Library Policies
• Personnel
• Planning and Evaluation
• Property Tax Cap
• Sustainability

Trustee Toolkits

• Sustainable Funding Options:  School Ballot and Referendum
• Library Construction Grant
• Effective Meetings Utilizing Parliamentary Procedures (Oct 27, 2022)
• Robert’s Rules of Order FAQs, How to Take and Deliver Meeting Minutes

Additional resources for Board of Trustees can be accessed via the following links:

• Ask the Lawyer Recently Asked Questions (Stephanie “Cole” Adams)
• Funding Propositions (School Ballot Referendum and Municipal Vote)
• Minimum Standards (effective January 2021)
• New York State Division of Library Development (Library and Library System Trustees)
• NYLA Library Trustees Association Section
• Open Meetings Law (NYS)
• Regent’s Statement on the Governance Role of a Trustee or Board Member
• State Aid for Library Construction Program
• Trustee Handbook Book Club
• United for Libraries: ALA Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations

FLLS Trustee Newsletter Archive

• January/February 2023 Trustee Newsletter
• December 2022 Trustee Newsletter
• November 2022 Trustee Newsletter
• Sept/Oct 2022 Trustee Newsletter 
• Summer 2022 Trustee Newsletter
• May/June 2022 Newsletter

• April 2022 Trustee Newsletter
• March 2022 Trustee Newsletter
• January 2022 Trustee Newsletter
• November/December 2021
• September/October 2021