Trustee Boards should strive to offer perspectives that represent as much of their community as possible. Here are some resources to help you evaluate your Board internally and check for possible gaps in how you are representing your community. For more assistance or to facilitate discussions to help your board grow stronger for your library, contact us anytime!
Do you know someone who would make a great library trustee? Send them here for info on running for elected office. Then, go to the Office of Campaign & Political Finance (OCPF) and the Secretary of the Commonwealth for more information, paperwork, and contact info for your questions.
On May 7, 2025, the MBLC hosted an informational session for people interested in becoming Library Trustees. You'll find the recording of the informational portion and the slides from that session here.
A Board should not only be representative of it's community, it should offer diverse perspectives as well. Here are some resources that can help you embrace any diversity currently in your board and to encourage broader diversity among Trustees.
Here are some additional resources from BoardSource to encourage more diversity, equity and inclusion on your Board.
From Crisis to Clarity: Five Steps to Demistify Succession Planning
Blue Avocado, a nonprofit advisory firm, article about steps to take to prepare for smooth leadership transitions before someone leaves a vacancy needing to be filled.
WebJunction (a great resource for libraries and their advocates) offered a webinar training Trustee Boards to encourage a culture of learning within their ranks. Access it here. (Note: You may need to create an account, but access is free.)
A Guide for Purpose-Driven Boards
This resource from BoardSource offers guidance and considerations a Board may want to use when it is unsure about how to respond to uncertainty, conflicts, or crises. It does not deal specifically with libraries, but offers some baseline questions that can assist with making a strategic approach to decision-making.
Register for Statewide access to United for Libraries
Access is free for all Massachusetts library directors, trustees and friends.
Statewide access to United for Libraries is funded in part with funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal agency that fosters innovation, leadership, and a lifetime of learning.