Keynote Address:
Activate Sustainable Thinking for the Future of Libraries:
Saturday, April 21, 2018: 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
This workshop is FREE for Pennsylvania Library Board Members!
Register for the Workshop
Trustees need a determined yet realistic approach to help them plan strategically, to identify how current funds should be used, to safeguard operating funds and generate intense loyalty from the communities they serve. As stewards of public libraries, trustee’s responsibilities include risk management and planning for the future. Ensuring adequate funds are available to sustain library services is key to the success or failure of not only the library as an organization but those they serve.
The workshop will help trustees become more strategic in their thinking so that they can inspire their community. Using concepts such as “Sustainable Thinking” and Triple Bottom Line” (defined as “to be truly sustainable, an organization must embody practices that are environmental sound and economically feasible and socially equitable”) the presenters will help trustees understand the need to put the community at the heart of all decision making. As Trustees are fulfilling their responsibility to provide financial sustainability for their libraries, this workshop will provide new tactics to operate their libraries and communicate with their communities.
Benefits or Outcomes Expected
- Trustees will be more knowledgeable about the current trends impacting library funding.
- Trustees knowledge of the key concepts of Sustainable Thinking and the Triple Bottom Line will be enhanced.
- Trustee confidence that they can impact their community’s ability to thrive will be increased.
SPEAKERS
Rebekkah Smith Aldrich currently serves as the Coordinator for Library Sustainability at the Mid-Hudson Library System (NY) where she assists 66 public libraries in the areas of leadership, funding and facilities. Rebekkah is the author of “Sustainable Thinking: Ensuring Your Library’s Future in an Uncertain World”, Resilience, the “Handbook for Public Library Directors in New York State”, the co-author of the “Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State”, and is the sustainability columnist for Library Journal. Rebekkah co-chairs both the New York Library Association’s Sustainability Initiative (NYLA-SI) and the American Library Association’s Special Task Force on Sustainability. Named a Library Journal Mover & Shaker, Rebekkah is a frequent national presenter on the topic of leading libraries forward in smart, practical and effective ways.
Matthew Bollerman is the Director of the Hauppauge Public Library. Matt previously was Director at the Westhampton and Brookhaven Free Library. At Westhampton he helped construct a new $7.8 million, 14,250 square foot LEED Gold building that was recognized by Library Journal as a “New Landmark Library.” Matt was recognized by the New York Library Association with their 2014 Outstanding Service to Libraries Award. A past president of the New York Library Association (NYLA), Matt currently serves as the co-chair of the NYLA Sustainability Initiative. He is passionate about public libraries’ ability to help regenerate their communities.
TRUSTEE WORKSHOP
Saturday, April 21, 2018
Registration / Coffee / Conversation Starters: 8:30 – 9 a.m.
Keynote Address: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
LOCATION
Science Center (SC) 214, Montgomery County Community College
340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422
(Montgomery County Community College is not affiliated with the event and the College should not be contacted regarding the program).
This project is made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolf, Governor.