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The article highlights the 2022 Charleston Conference from November 1-4, at the Charleston Gaillard Center in South Carolina, the Francis Marion Hotel and the Courtyard Marriott Historic Downtown and the virtual conference on November 14-18, which focused on disbanding the library board and reconstituting it with new board members. Topics include total attendees at the two versions, the opening keynote delivered by Dr. Buhle Mbambo-Thata, and discussions on changes wrought by the pandemic.

The article focuses on the challenges faced by public libraries in Louisiana, U.S. due to censorship efforts, including targeted attacks on library programs, book displays and funding by groups aiming to defund and control library content. Topics include the rise of censorship campaigns infiltrating library boards and councils; resulting in book challenges; tiered library card systems; and legislative actions affecting public libraries statewide.

The article provides information on the role and responsibilities of library trustees, highlighting the need for their continuous learning and development. It discusses the creation of an online learning portal, called iLEAD, which aims to provide Illinois public library trustees with training and resources based on legal requirements and best practices.

The article discusses the Texas Library Association (TLA) Nominating Committee's call for online applications for the 2025 Executive Board election. Topics include open positions, eligibility criteria, and the application deadline.

The article discusses themes and lessons to apply to help protect school librarians and ensure to have supportive boards, legitimate policies, and materials to support the educational and emotional needs of all students. Topics include message from voters that they reject divisive, polarizing attacks and rhetoric and support board members who are focused on creating inclusive schools and suggestion when there are people in the community who care but do not know how to get started.

The article reports on a federal lawsuit filed by users of the Llano County Library System in Texas against county commissioners, members of the reconstituted library board, and the library director. Topics discussed include a preliminary injunction sought in the lawsuit, books involved in the lawsuit, and reason that the books were systematically removed from the library collection according to the plaintiffs.

The article highlights the availability of open applications for various Texas Library Association (TLA) grants, including the J. Frank Dobie Library Trust Grant, the Jeannette and Jim Larson Grant (focused on the mystery genre), and the Woll Memorial Fund.

The author comments on the move by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to veto a state Senate bill, enabling local politicians to take control of public library board appointments and the existence of facilities. She talks about the refusal by the Pike County Public Library to give up its downtown facility to the private, religious University of Pikesville, the impact of giving County Judge/Executive (CJE) leeway to pack the board, and the potential impact of the surge of legislation on libraries.

The author provides tips for library boards in the U.S. on managing challenges in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics discussed include the proposed centralizatio of some library materials decision-making for an entire state, books by and about LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC people, and the importance of community oversight for library management.

Focuses on anecdotal evidence that indicates the conflicts between public library directors and boards. The frequently unexplained turnover in library directors; The Board of Trustees being a crucial link between the public and the library; Library trustee and director survey; Policy development; Purchasing decisions. INSETS: What respondents are saying...Audrey Blossic, Director;What respondents are saying...Robert Lightcap, Trustee;What respondents are saying...Patricia Ryan, Director.

The editor comments on the defamation suit filed by school librarian Amanda Jones against Michael Lunsford and Ryan Thames for alleged harassment after she spoke against censorship at a meeting of the Livingston Parish Library board in Louisiana. She describes the abuse suffered by Jones for promoting free access to information and the support the librarian has received to fight those harassing her. Tips for librarians on dealing with online abuse and other forms of harassment are provided.

The article discusses U.S. federal and state laws regarding public library boards' responsibility for financial reporting and culpability for the embezzlement of funds by an employee, based on laws such as the 2002 Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) on financial record keeping. The responsibilities of library trustees, liability issues, and prevention of fraud are discussed, as well as the role of library directors, library policies, and independent auditing.

The article discusses the New York Library Trustees Online (NYLTO) website, which was created in 2012 as a library management resource for public library trustees. The financial and legal responsibilities of trustees, technological strategic planning in New York public libraries, and communication between library directors and governing boards are discussed, as well as website use and effectiveness.

The article reports on the bestowing of several library awards from the Arkansas Library Association in 2011, including the Retta Patrick Award to Jana Dixon, the Bessie B. Moore Trustee Award to two library boards of Crawford County Libraries, and the Distinguished Service Award to John Wells.

The article presents success stories related to libraries in the U.S. It notes that Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library Board of Trustees decides against turning the page April 16, 2009 preferring four sex-associated books available to minors. Wausau School Board votes 7-2 April 13 to keep a book in John Muir Middle School library following a parent's query to be removed on sexually explicit content. Shelby School Board votes to reinstate the book "Song of Solomon," by Toni Morrison.

The author reflects on the relationship between library boards and library directors. She asserts that the relationship between the boards and directors can be tricky, but when well-balance it can produce some great things for both parties and for the library. She reveals that the board members of the library can contribute a lot of things to libraries, like sharing their ideas, time, energy, and resources. She expresses that most directors appreciate the function of the board of trustees.

The article provides information on the participation of Canadian Library Trustees Association members at the 2008 Canadian Library Association (CLA) conference in Canada. Jan Harder gave a session about the relations between city councils and library boards in a presentation titled "City Council, Library Boards-Working Together, Working Apart." Alexandra Yarrow also shared her perspective on the significance of diversity of representation and the importance of advocacy in the board.

The article elaborates the signficance of the Friends of Libraries U.S.A. in the U.S. It is a national nonprofit organization providing networking opportunities, education and consultation to local friends-of-the-library groups, library trustees, library foundation members and librarians across the country. It raises money along with trustees, raises awareness and political support for their libraries. The organization has more than 3,000 friends groups, libraries, trustees, foundations and individuals, representing hundreds of thousands of library supporters.

This article describes the expansion process at Howe Library, a partnership of the nonprofit Howe Library Corp. and the town of Hanover, New Hampshire. The town, through annual appropriations, supports most of the operating budget. The Howe Library Corp., through private contributions, supplies necessary support to library collections and programs. During the expansion-planning phase, the management began to seriously consider self-check. In early 2005, the library trustees approved the self-check module and equipment from Innovative Interfaces Inc. for the $5.5 million construction budget's technology expenditures.

The article discusses the new law known as Public Act 94-1058, which amends the Open Meetings Act in Illinois. The act adds some stricter rules regarding violations of Open Meetings Act and gives library boards and districts the opportunity to legally hold meetings where several participants may attend electronically. According to the authors, the scary part of the new law deals with situations wherein library and government officials violate the act by contemporaneous interactive communication.

The article provides information on the issues and programs at the Ontario Library Association. A pamphlet created by Ontario Library Boards Association for library boards, for encouraging better trustee recruitment, has been sent to all library boards in Ontario. Andrew Ryther, media designer and communications director, has again worked with the First Nations community to design the 2007 poster for First Nations Public Library Week.

The article presents awards accorded by the OLA Board of Directors to librarians in Canada. Diane Bedard was recognized for her contribution in propagating imaginative and practical use of technology in libraries. Margaret Andrewes was noticed for her work on adhering to the train-the-trainer program, advocacy and leadership programs for trustees and librarians. Art Rhyno was praised for his contribution to the Ontario Library Association and the Ontario library community.

This article reports on a selection of written parliamentary questions on education from the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The period covered by this report is from October 31 to November 4, 2005. Questions answered are from the Department for Education and Skills and the Northern Ireland Office in the Commons and HMG in the House of Lords. The Department has commissioned Pricewaterhouse Coopers to undertake an independent five-year evaluation of the Academies Programme, reporting finally in September 2007. The Second Annual Report from this evaluation, published in June, demonstrated that academies have made a significant difference to the teaching and learning culture from their predecessors.

Presents the Wildwood Public Library in Edmonton, Alberta. Library services; Total number of members; Members of the library board.

The article covers all answers to written questions on education from the British House of Commons and the House of Lords where the answer is given as a statistical table with data by local education authority, local learning and skills council, university or constituency. The period covered by this report is June 23-27, 2003. Gregory Campbell has put his question to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, as how many teachers in publicly funded schools in Northern Ireland were found, on the initiative of their employer, not to satisfy the health requirements for teaching in each of the education and library boards and the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools in the academic year September 2001 to August 2002.

The article offers information on the role of the board of the National Library. The National Library of South Africa was formed by uniting the former South African Library and the State Library. The authors posed several questions including who defines heritage, do national libraries distinguish themselves from the Anglo-American consideration, and how to contribute to the development and growth of client base. The duties of chairpersons, the proper communication with staff, the culture of voluntarism, and how much skills a board member can be employed at the welfare of institution are also mentioned.

This article deals with the suggestion of Jane Monck, one of the trustees at the Kentport Public Library, to Frieda Pavlicek, the director of the library that she should design a questionnaire to use with the reference and circulation staff in the library. Public libraries can learn from the private sector in the areas of accountability, marketing and personal incentives. Trustee Monck is correct in noting that there are some individuals in libraries who do not give their best but libraries are under the same constraints as the government body under which they operate, making hiring, firing and salary increases based merit much more difficult than in the private sector. Reference is an art, not a science and it is more difficult to quantify than other types of customer service. Before the next board meeting, Pavlicek should be ready to present an approach to measure user satisfaction at public service points. A finished measuring instrument is not necessary yet, but a review of the literature with a summary for the board will serve her well. She must disconnect the concept of salary increases and be good or be gone from results of patron assessments of staff performance.

Presents a fictitious account involving a librarian's reaction to the interference of a library trustee, followed by reactions of librarians to this scenario.

The author discusses the inevitability of heated debate and confrontation. He describes a situation where the director of a small public library and the president of the library's board of trustees clashed over the budget for building a collection of videos. He explains the lessons that can be learned by library professionals from the conflict, as well as the importance of negotiation.

The article announces several appointments at the School Library Association (SLA) including Helen Emery as Membership Officer, Victoria Dilly as Grants Trustee, and Ellen Firth as Educational Management Trustee.

Focuses on the criteria for effective library trustees. Need for a diversity of profession, skills and experience among board members; Active participation by members; Importance of board's relationship to the governing body; Selection of a good director; Support for the director; Need to establish rapport with the local governing authority; Ways to deal with an ineffective board member.