The Public Library Director's Toolkit

New public library directors quickly learn what seasoned directors already know: running a library means you've always got your hands full—balancing the needs of staff, patrons, facilities, library boards, and other stakeholders with professional responsibilities like community interactions, legal and financial requirements, and whole lot else that wasn't exactly in the job description. Whether you are considering becoming a public library director, are brand new to the role, or have settled in but find yourself thinking "there's got to be a better way," authors Hall and Parker are here to help. This book walks you through the core components of getting up to speed and then provides templates, sample documents, checklists, and other resources that will make your job easier. Gleaned from their own decades of experience in library leadership positions, in this toolkit they

• cover such key topics as employees, trustees, finances, legal issues, library policies, emergency planning, and technology;
• discuss strategic planning and share advice on keeping up with trends;
• offer nearly two dozen ready-to-use resources, including a Director’s Report Template, a Social Media Policy, an Employee Exit Questionnaire, a Library Cleaning Checklist, a Vision Statement worksheet, and more; and
• suggest additional learning opportunities in each chapter to help you continue your learning journey.

Public library directors can steer clear of common pain points by relying on the expert guidance and organizational aids in this toolkit.

Kate Hall is the executive director of the Northbrook Public Library (IL) after serving as director at the New Lenox Public Library (IL) and in various library positions in the Chicagoland area for over twenty years. In her eleven years as a library director, Kate has been in leadership positions in state and national library groups including the American Library Association, Illinois Library Association, and Reaching Across Illinois Library System. She has served on the committee and chaired Director's University, an intensive training for new Illinois Public Library directors. Kate is the recipient of the 2021 Illinois Library Association Librarian of the Year Award and has just launched Illinois Libraries Present, a new statewide joint programming cooperative. She is the co-author of The Public Library Director's Toolkit and The Public Library Director's HR Toolkit, both published by ALA Editions, and the devoted servant of one demanding cat.

Kathy Parker was the director of the Glenwood-Lynwood (IL) Public Library District from 2002 to 2018 after serving as assistant director at the Harvey (IL) Public Library. She has worked in public and private libraries for over forty years in nearly every department and cofounded Director's University. She has served on numerous state committees including the Illinois Library Association and has served as library trustee for her local library and the regional library system, Reaching Across Illinois Library System. She was the 2016 recipient of the American Library Association's Trustee Citation award. After retiring in 2018, Kathy launched the kathyparker consulting firm, which provides training to trustees and new directors. She is the co-author of The Public Library Director's Toolkit and The Public Library Director's HR Toolkit, both published by ALA Editions.