Trustee Academy Course Information

Trustee AcademyThe ALTAFF Trustee Academy is a series of online courses to help Trustees become exceptionally proficient in their roles on behalf of their libraries.

All of the online courses will be taught by a professional in the field and will be priced both a la carte so individual attendees can pick and choose what courses are important to them, and as a full curriculum that will reflect discounted pricing per course. In addition, a board of Trustees can sign up for further discounts.

Course Format

All courses will be recorded webcasts to allow Trustees the opportunity to complete each course at any time of day or night. ALTAFF knows Trustees are volunteers too, and the recorded format offers the most flexibility. Each course will run approximately 40 to 50 minutes.

How to Register

Follow the links below to learn more about each course and to register. Registration is open and ongoing. Courses are available for six months following registration. Registration is available as follows:

  • Register for a single course.
  • Register for more than one course (but not the entire series). For this option, you will need to register for each course separately online or fill out the paper registration form and mail with payment or fax with a credit card.
  • Register for the full series of five courses. This option offers the best pricing and discount.
  • Registraion for individual courses or the full series is available for individual (one person) registration as well a full Board of Trustees. If registering a full board, one contact person will register on behalf of the board.
  • To register online you will need an ALA login regardless of whether you are an ALA member. More information is available on the registration links below.

Trustee Academy Courses

Lynn StainbrookTrustee Basics, Part I will cover the role of the Trustee in the community, who speaks for the Trustees, governing vs. advisory boards, holding effective board meetings (getting consensus, open meeting laws, parliamentary procedure, etc.), and board self-assessment. This course will be led by Lynn Stainbrook, director of the Brown County Library in Green Bay, Wis. More information and registration.

Trustee Basics, Part II will cover understanding and setting policy, understanding and supporting intellectual freedom and patron privacy, meeting state standards, Trustee liability and fiduciary responsibilities, considering D&O insurance, and Trustee ethics. This course will also be led by Stainbrook. More information and registration.



Vicki TrupianoPeggy DanhofWorking Effectively with the Library Director will cover understanding and respecting the different roles, evaluating a library director’s performance, and hiring a new library director. This course will be led by Peggy Danhof (pictured left), ALTAFF past president and president of the Board of Trustees of the Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook, Ill, and Vicky Trupiano (pictured right), director of the Fountaindale Public Library. More information and registration.



Christine HageThe Library’s Budget will cover learning and understanding how your library is funded, understanding how spending decisions are made and who is authorized to make them, understanding the library’s financial reports, making powerful budget presentations, and developing auxiliary funding sources. This course will be led by Christine Lind Hage, Public Library Association (PLA) past president and director of the Rochester Hills Public Library in the greater Detroit area. More information and registration.

Carol Brey-CasianoAdvocating for Your Library will cover sowing the ground with excellent public awareness and great service, how to design an advocacy campaign, collaborating with stakeholders such as Friends and patrons, and implementing the campaign. This course will be led by Carol Brey-Casiano, ALA past president and director of the El Paso Public Library System. More information and registration.

Trustee Academy Pricing

Cost per course for a la carte selection:

  • $30 per person for ALTAFF individual and group members.
  • $40 per person for non-members.
  • $100 per board for ALTAFF individual and group members.
  • $125 per board for non-members. 

Cost for the series of five courses:

  • $115 per person for ALTAFF individual and group members.
  • $150 per person for non-members.
  • $225 per board for ALTAFF individual and group members.
  • $300 per board for non-members.

If you have any questions please e-mail altaff@ala.org.