RESOURCES
FOR YOU
Recommended Resources for Public Library Trustees
American Libraries
- Building a Better Board of Trustees. https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2015/10/30/building-better-board-of-trustees/
American Library Association References
- American Library Association. LMS. https://elearning.ala.org/
- American Library Association. Library Trustee Information. https://www.ala.org/united/trustees
- United for Libraries: Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations. American Library Association. https://www.ala.org/united/
Communications Plan – Additional Resources
- Illinois Library Association. More Than A Building Toolkit (Communications).
- Illinois Library Association. More Than A Building Toolkit (Talking Points).
- Hursch, Angela. Super Library Marketing: Practical Tips and Ideas for Library Promotions. https://superlibrarymarketing.com
- Anderson, Cordelia. Library Marketing and Communications: Strategies to Increase Relevance and Results. 2020.
Communications Plan – Overview and Templates
- American Library Association. Developing and Implementing a Simple Media/Communications Plan.
- Hursch, Angela. Marketing Plan Template. https://superlibrarymarketing.com
Employing a Library Director
- Harvard Business School. Actively Addressing Unconscious Bias in Recruiting.
- Gender Decoder, tool for finding subtle bias in job ads. http://gender-decoder.katmatfield.com
- Detroit Suburban Librarians’ Roundtable Succession Planning Committee. A Library Board’s Practical Guide to Finding the Right Library Director (PDF).
- Director Recruitment and Trustee Considerations. Library Journal. 2019.
- COSLA. Hiring a New Library Director (PDF). 2015.
- Washington State Library. How to Hire a Library Director.
- Rural Libraries and Social Wellbeing. Library Director Tool (PDF), with reflection and interview questions.
Finance
- Illinois Department of Revenue. Property Tax Extension Limitation Law – Technical Manual. https://tax.illinois.gov/localgovernments/property/ptell.html
- Illinois Department of Revenue. Illinois Property Tax Rate and Levy Manual.
- Illinois Department of Revenue. Illinois Tax Caps. https://tax.illinois.gov/questionsandanswers/answer.331.html
- Illinois Department of Revenue. The Illinois Property Tax System.
Illinois Library Association References
- Doyle, Robert P., and Robert N. Knight. Trustee Facts File. Illinois Library Association, 2012.
- Foote, Dianne. Illinois Library Laws & Rules in Effect January 1, 2020. Illinois Library Association, 2020.
- Forte, Carmen. “ILA Trustee Forum Mock Library Meeting.” Klein, Thorpe, and Jenkins. 2023, pp. 1–16.
- Illinois Library Association. Serving Our Public 3.0: Standards for Illinois Public Libraries. 2014.
- Illinois Compiled Statutes. Illinois Library Act. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=990&ChapterID=16
- Illinois Library Association. ILA Reporter. https://www.ila.org/publications/ila-reporter
- Illinois Library Association. Trustee Forum. https://www.ila.org/forum/5/library-trustee-forum-ltf
- Diamond, Stewart H., and W. Britt Isaly. Financial Manual for Illinois Public Libraries. Illinois Library Association, 2007.
Open Meetings Act
- Illinois Attorney General. Ensuring Open and Honest Government. https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/open-and-honest-government/foia/
- Illinois Compiled Statutes. General Provisions (5 ILCS 120/) Open Meetings Act.
- Law Insider. Public Meeting Definition: Samples. https://www.lawinsider.com
Other References
- Justia Law. 2010 Illinois Code: Chapter 20 Executive Branch 20 ILCS 3305/ Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. https://law.justia.com/codes/illinois/2010/chapter20/368.html
- Chief Officers of State Library Agencies. Illinois Public Library Trustee Manual. 2016. Printed by authority of the State of Illinois, January 2017.
- Illinois State Board of Elections. https://www.elections.il.gov/
Policy Making
- American Library Association. Library Policy Guidelines. https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarypolicyguidelines
Required Trustee Training
- Illinois Attorney General. FOIA and PAC Site. https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/open-and-honest-government/foia/
Rules of Order
- Robert, H. M. Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised In Brief (3rd ed.). Hachette Book Group, 2019.
Strategic Planning
- Fuller, Joy L. Strategic Planning for Public Libraries. Public Library Association. https://alastore.ala.org/content/strategic-planning-public-libraries%E2%80%94printe-book-bundle
- Sinek, Simon. Start with Why? https://simonsinek.com/books/start-with-why/
Print Resources
Chief Officers of State Library Agencies, Illinois Public Library Trustee Manual, 2016. Printed by authority of the State of Illinois, January 2017
Doyle, Robert P., and Robert N. Knight. Trustee Facts File. Illinois Library Association, 2012.
Foote, Dianne. Illinois Library Laws & Rules in Effect January 1, 2020. Illinois Library Association, 2020.
Forte, Carmen. “ILA Trustee Forum Mock Library Meeting.”, Klein, Thorpe, and Jenkins. 2023, p.p. 1–16.
Illinois Library Association. Serving Our Public 3.0: Standards for Illinois Public Libraries. 2014.
Illinois Property Tax Rate and Levy Manual. Illinois Department of Revenue, State of Illinois.
The Illinois Property Tax System. Illinois Department of Revenue, State of Illinois.
Stewart H. Diamond, and W. Britt Isaly. Financial Manual for Illinois Public Libraries. Illinois Library Association, 2007.
iLEAD Drop-In Help Desk
Beginning Tuesday, January 6, 2026, the iLEAD Portal Team will offer extended Drop-In Help Desk Hours from 5:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. No registration required. During Drop-In Hours, trustees and directors can receive real-time assistance with: Accessing the iLEAD Portal...
🎉 Congratulations to Trustees McCubbin and Fuller 🎉
👏🎉 Trustees McCubbin and Fuller from Mt. Pulaski Public Library have joined their fellow board members in earning all FY 26 iLEAD Trustee Journey badges! 👏🎉 Your commitment, dedication, and passion for service truly set the bar high. Thank you both for being the Best...
Governor Signs Bill Amending OMA and FOIA
SB 243 proposed various amendments to the Open Meetings Act and FOIA, which had been approved by both the Illinois Senate and the Illinois General Assembly. The bill was just signed by the Governor last week and became P.A. 104-0438. We will update the related...