2025 Virtual Institute for Friends & Trustees - Pennsylvania Library Association

2025 Library Friends & Trustees Institute

Sponsored by

Pennsylvania Citizens for Better Libraries & the Pennsylvania Library Association

Saturday, March 15, 2025

presented live & entirely online

9:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m.
with content recorded for extended access through June 15, 2025

Announcing the return of this exciting opportunity for Library Friends Groups and library board members to learn and engage together. Anyone who is involved in library governance and operations, library fundraising or advocacy can benefit.

Summary Schedule

9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.	Log-in and prep
9:15 a.m. - 9:25 a.m.	Welcome
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.	Sessions (3 concurrent)
10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.	Break
10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.	Sessions (3 concurrent)
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.	Lunch Break
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.	Sessions (3 concurrent)
1:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.	Break
1:45 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.	Un-Conference(Facilitated open discussion & Q &A)

Session Descriptions and Scheduling available in early 2025

Call for Presenters

We'd like to give YOU, your local experts, and colleagues a chance to share your subject matter expertise! The deadline for session proposals is January 6, but earlier submissions are encouraged.

What are we looking for? Presenters who have experience, local case studies, or expertise on these topics:

Advocacy – local and regional efforts.
Budgeting for your library, and best practices to strengthen finances.
Fundraising.
Governance best practices, and how to run effective meetings.
Legal issues for library boards.
Library policies.
Marketing & PR for your library.
Media, or crisis communications for your library
Recruiting, hiring, retaining a library director; and HR policies.
Referendum – pros/cons of launching a referendum effort, and basic steps involved.
Understanding PA sales tax requirements and small games of chance
We are open to your ideas too, so feel free to submit a topic not listed here!

SUBMIT A PROPOSAL

Submission Deadline: January 6, 2025
For planning purposes, consult this PDF of the proposal form.

How to Attend (Registration Options & Fees)

Individually

Join the live program from your home, office, or library using a computer with high speed internet.
Create an individual profile with the ability to ask questions and post comments during the program.
Continuing Education (CE) credit is available to the registered attendee participating from an individual computer or device.
Simple instructions withl log-in credentials will be sent the week leading up to the event.
Once the recorded sessions are available, log in at anytime during the extended viewing period to rewatch or view other sessions.

As a Group

Join fellow board or group members at the library or other meeting place to attend the live sessions.

Fosters group discussion of content
Continuing Education (CE) credit is not available for attendess participating in group viewing.
Each group registration includes ONE log-in from a single device for the purpose of group viewing in a single location. (One session during each session period, for a total of three sessions on the day of the live event.)
A second or third group registration can be purchased for group viewing of additional sessions during each session period. This allows for multiple sessions to be viewed during each session period and providies more choice for attendees.
Simple instructions withl log-in credentials will be sent the week leading up to the event.

Make it fun by ordering in lunch or plan a potluck meal! Plan time to discuss take-aways and develop plans to implement what you've learned. Then schedule time to watch additional sessions during the extended viewing period at upcoming board or group meetings or retreats.

Registration Fees: (With no fee increases from last year!)