New United for Libraries toolkit available to Trustee members on insurance for libraries

PHILADELPHIA — United for Libraries President Elect Christine Lind Hage, director of the Rochester Hills (Mich.) Public Library, has written a toolkit on what Trustees and directors need to know about insurance for their library. The toolkit is available to United for Libraries members (personal or group membership as Trustees) in the Trustee Zone (www.ala.org/united/trusteezone).

Independently governed libraries are responsible for protecting the public’s library assets. In addition to good management practices, insurance coverage is one way to protect assets, maintain service during emergency situations and be aware of risk management issues.

The toolkit identifies some common types of insurance coverage that libraries might want to consider, including property insurance, liability insurance, commercial auto insurance and directors and officers insurance. The toolkit also includes a fill-in “Request for Quote for Insurance Services” form libraries can use when seeking out prices from insurance providers.

Hage has been director of the Rochester Hills Public Library since 2005. Previously she served as director of the Clinton-Macomb (Mich.) Public Library and director of the Shelby Township (Mich.) Public Library. She has served as an ALA councilor and chaired several ALA committees. She was a board member of the Association for Library Trustees and Advocates, the precursor to United for Libraries. She is the author of “The Public Library Start-Up Guide” (ALA Editions, 2004). Hage earned an AMLS from the University of Michigan.

United for Libraries members receive access to newsletters, toolkits, special offers, publications and more. Visit www.ala.org/united/membership/mbrbenefits for details about member benefits and information on how to join.

United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, is a division of the American Library Association that supports those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries. United for Libraries brings together library trustees, advocates, friends and foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. For more information or to join United for Libraries, visit the United for Libraries website or contact Jillian Kalonick at (312) 280-2161 or jkalonick@ala.org.