Trustee Tale
Trustee Tale is a joint project of the Manitowoc Calumet Library System, Nicolet Library System, Outagamie Waupaca Library System, Winnefox Library System and Wisconsin Valley Library Service.
If you have questions, comments, or suggestions for future articles, contact your system director:
To view issues released prior to 2020, visit the Trustee Tale Archive.
Latest Issues
A Beginner’s Guide to Library Legislative Day
Every year on a Tuesday in February, the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) hosts Library Legislative Day. Library supporters from across the state gather in Madison to meet with state legislators and share the value of libraries in our communities. In 2025, the event will be held on Tuesday, February 11.
Board Behavior & Expectations
Congratulations! You have been appointed to a public library board, now what? What does it all mean for you?
First, let’s consider the reasons why public library boards are composed of various types of citizen appointees. Those reasons include:
Policy Development with the Library Board
Policies may not prevent problems from arising in your library, but having up-to-date policies equips staff with the tools they need to face routine or tough issues when they do arise. Well-written, board-approved policies achieve several things:
The Library and Service Animals
Libraries want to be spaces that are welcoming to all. But sometimes a welcoming space for one, infringes on the space or safety of another. This is why behavior policies are so important. A behavior policy should clearly explain how a patron must conduct themselves in the library and on library property and what consequences will result from policy
Library Board Appointments
Do you recognize this statement from the library annual report? “The library’s board membership complies with statutory requirements regarding appointment, length of term, number of members and composition.” Each year, by checking the boxes and approving the report, library boards indicate compliance with the statutory requirements found in s. 43.54 (municipal and joint libraries), s. 43.57 (4) & (5) (consolidated and county library services), and s. 43.60(3) (library extension and interchange).