Trustee Tale

Public libraries have long been pillars of learning, access, and community connection—but in today’s digital world, their value is sometimes questioned. As a library trustee, it’s important to be ready to address common concerns about relevance, funding, and usage.

Libraries have embraced the motto “more than just books” for decades. Whether highlighting digital collections, offering printing and faxing services, providing public computers, or delivering programs for all ages, public libraries have long understood how to meet community needs beyond physical materials.

By Hannah Good Zima, Outreach Coordinator Nicolet Library System Over the last several years, public libraries have seen a significant increase in “First Amendment audits.” These audits involve an individual’s right to film in any public building. They test that right by going into public spaces and recording videos. Based on their output, their goal

By Bradley Shipps, DirectorOutagamie Waupaca Library System There are 381 public libraries in Wisconsin with 467 local outlets, and every single one of them belongs to one of fifteen regional public library systems. System membership comes with many benefits that strengthen a local library’s ability to serve its community beyond what it can accomplish with

By Marla Sepnafski, Director, Wisconsin Valley Library System Determine Who Will Screen Applications and Conduct Interviews The board must decide who will participate in the hiring process—whether it will involve the full board, a designated board committee, municipal HR staff, library system staff, or others—and what their roles will be. Questions to clarify include: Will

By Marla Sepnafski, Director, Wisconsin Valley Library System Selecting the right person to lead a public library is one of the most important responsibilities of a library board. The director is not only responsible for managing the library but also for working collaboratively with the board, engaging with the community, and advancing library services. Because

By John Thompson, Director, IFLS Library System As a member of a public Library Board in Wisconsin, you have a unique and sometimes confusing role when it comes to the library facility. Library buildings are acquired or leased by the municipality for library purposes; however, the Library Board has exclusive charge, control and custody of

By Shannon M. Schultz, Director, South Central Library System As a public library trustee in Wisconsin, you play a vital role not only in governance but also as an ambassador for your library in the community. Conversations about intellectual freedom, library relevance, and collection practices often happen outside of board meetings—sometimes at the grocery store,

Post Archives The Wisconsin Public Library Consortium, or WPLC, was formed in 2001 as an organization that would allow public library systems to enter into statewide partnerships. The goal was, and continues to be, to support programs that are innovative and collaborative. The main and most popular service of WPLC is Wisconsin’s Digital Library, or

The Wisconsin Open Meetings Law grants citizens the right to attend and observe open session meetings of governmental bodies. The law does not require a governmental body to allow members of the public to speak or actively participate in the body’s meeting. A governmental body, such as a Library Board, has the discretion to decide