BCLTA Online Workshops

Registration is through the BCLTA website and invoices for the $25 registration fee are sent during the week following the workshop. As the workshops are discussion and activity based they are generally capped at 12 participants.

These workshops use Zoom and participants are asked, where possible, to use the video function and a device that has full screen and keyboard capabilities (not a phone).

To encourage participation and to ensure privacy, BCLTA workshops are not recorded.

Due to the high interest in BCLTA workshops, if you register but don’t show up you will still be invoiced for the workshop.

All workshop times are in Pacific Time.


BCLTA Core Governance Workshops

BC Public Library Governance: The big picture

This workshop is a high-level overview of public library governance including the provincial context, public library and governance trends and issues, the role of the board in strategic direction and oversight, and demystifying fiduciary responsibility and duty of care.

This workshop is not just for new trustees, it is for all trustees and library directors who are interested in new ways of talking about why we have public library governance, the unique role of the public library, their local community context, the importance of role clarity and trust between the board and library director, and why everyone on the governance team should be engaged and excited with fiduciary responsibility and duty of care.

Workshop date:

  • March 14th, 6:30PM to 8:30PM 

The Effective Board and Role Clarity

The content of this workshop includes defining and supporting board and library director role clarity, the traits of a highly functioning governance team, and trust as the foundation for effective governance.

Workshop date:

  • April 3rd, 6:30PM to 8:30PM

Chairing and Leading: The mechanics

This workshop is for board chairs, those who want to be board chairs, and for library directors and trustees who want to better support the work of the board chair.

Workshop content includes transparent and accountable board communications, working with the library director, building agendas, rules of order, leading strategic and oversight discussions, and meeting follow-up.

Workshop date:

  • February 13th, 6:30PM to 8:30PM

Chairing and Leading: The art

This workshop is for board chairs, those who want to be board chairs, and for library directors and trustees who want to better support the work of the board chair.

Workshop content includes engaging and being of service to the board, building a trust-based team, leading big discussions, and addressing challenges as opportunities.

Workshop date:

  • February 27th, 6:30PM to 8:30PM

Policy and Oversight

This workshop is for trustees and library directors.

In this workshop we will:

  • discuss the difference between policy and procedures and where policy sits in your compliance hierarchy
  • consider the role of the board and the library director in policy development and oversight
  • explore the stages of policy development from identifying need through to oversight and review
  • familiarize ourselves with a variety of public library board policies from across the province
  • discuss how to identify the need for new or updated policy

Workshop date:

  • April 17th, 6:30PM to 8:30PM

Strategic Outcomes and Oversight

This workshop is for trustees and library directors.

In this workshop we will:

  • explore the difference between operational results and strategic outcomes
  • discuss fiduciary responsibility and duty of care in providing strategic oversight through
    • board meeting agendas, packages, and process
    • board and library director accountability and governance team trust
    • budget planning and financial oversight
  • consider approaches to reporting and assessing strategic outcomes

Workshop date:

  • May 11th, 6:30PM to 8:30PM

BCLTA learning and development is more than workshops!

BCLTA Governance Workbook  (October 2021)

Subscribe to the BCLTA monthly Bulletin to stay up to date on BCLTA workshops and resources.

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.