United for Libraries will present a free two-part webinar series, “Keeping Governance on Track,” March 29 at 2 p.m. Eastern and March 31 at 7 p.m. Eastern.
Increasingly, library board meetings are facing disruptions, often making it difficult to conduct necessary board business. With the rise in challenges to library materials, programs, and access, boards are often affected internally (conflict/dissent among board members) and externally (public comment and disruptions from meeting observers). During this two-part series, parliamentarian Nancy Sylvester (pictured) will share actions, training, and preparation that boards and library directors can take now to be ready for problems and issues, and tips and best practices for handling problems in board meetings. Register
Part 1 on March 29 will focus on “Steps to Be Prepared & How to Handle Problems.” Participants will learn what actions and preparation boards and library directors can take now to be ready for issues that may arise (including meeting disruptions by non-board members, a board member overstepping boundaries or pushing their personal agenda, etc.). The session will also address best practices for library boards when there’s a conflict of personal values vs. library values.
Part 2 on March 31 will be a “Mock Board Meeting,” with an enactment of a library board meeting and Sylvester providing “in-the-moment” tips to handle misbehavior, conflict, disruptions, etc.
These webinars are presented by the United for Libraries Intellectual Freedom Task Force, and are free thanks to a bequest from the late Jack Neal. Both sessions will be recorded and available on-demand. To register, visit www.ala.org/united/training/webinars/governance.
