Illinois Trustees

Training Trustees to be Effective

Indian Trails Public Library Trustees The American Heritage Dictionary defines a trustee as "a member of a board elected or appointed to direct the funds and policy of an institution." Each Illinois public library has a board of trustees consisting of individuals who believe in the mission and value of their public library. The very title of the position, public library "trustee," indicates that an individual agrees to keep faith with their community by mastering an identified set of core competencies and performing the roles and responsibilities of the office to the best of their abilities.

These basic duties are to oversee the library's budget, to hire, support, and evaluate a qualified director, and to approve policies. In addition to these duties, trustees are legally responsible for assuring that the general operation of the library as well as all board meetings are conducted in accordance with Illinois law. Engaged, knowledgeable trustees can provide leadership and guidance to help even the best library to attain a higher level of excellence.

Resources for Trustees

United for Libraries: Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends, and Foundations

Trustee Academy
Well informed, knowledgeable public library trustees help create better libraries. The Trustee Academy is a series of online courses to help Trustees become valuable assests to their Board and public library.

Budgeting & Financial Management

Trustee Facts File, Third Edition
Chapter 10 (Budgeting & Financial Management) provides a very thorough overview of the budgeting process.
Illinois Property Tax System
Provided by the Illinois Department of Revenue.
Property Tax Extension Limitation Law
Provided by the Illinois Department of Revenue.
Tax Caps
Information by library or county provided by the Illinois Library Association.

Defining Your Roles and Duties

Trustee Facts File, Third Edition
Published by the Illinois State Library, this resource offers a broad overview of the duties, responsibilities, and tasks of Illinois public library trustees.
Administrative Ready Reference
This comprehensive document authored by the Illinois State Library includes useful citations to Illinois Compiled Statutes, policy models, and Service Standards for Illinois public libraries.

Laws and Standards

Trustees must be familiar with the laws and standards under which the library and board need to operate.

Drug Free Workplace Act
Illinois Freedom of Information Act
Illinois Local Library Act
Illinois Open Meetings Act
Joint Committee on Administrative Rules: Administrative Code
Library Records Confidentiality Act
Serving Our Public
Statutes and Administrative Rules

Photo Caption: In May, 2007, Senator Susan Garrett visited Indian Trails Public Library District where she posed with her own READ poster, designed by Indian Trails Staff. Pictured left to right is Director Tamiye Meehan; Don Roalkvam, president, Board of Trustees; Senator Garrett with her READ Poster; Doris Wagner, trustee; Gene Looft, trustee; and Wally Salganik, trustee.

Most Recently Added

Swearing In and Orientation of New Trustees

Document / Last Modified: 25 April 2013

May is the month when new library trustees take their oaths of office and begin their duties. There are some differences between the requirements for trustees of local libraries and trustees of public library districts.

Webinar for Trustees: Environmental Scan

Webinar / Last Modified: 19 April 2013

The Illinois State Library is holding a webinar to discuss the components of the Environmental Scan.

Library Law: Library Trustees Serve Without Compensation

Document / Last Modified: 26 March 2013

This article answers questions regarding the propriety of libraries providing compensation to their trustees.

What Does a Library Trustee Do?

Document / Last Modified: 26 March 2013

This brochure details all of the resources WebJunction Illinois has to offer Illinois library trustees. It is available to all interested parties and may be printed and shared for future use.