Public Library Leadership

(Note: We are redesigning our web page. Some things might look a little funny as we work. Please pardon the 'mess'.)

Public libraries are essential community hubs. To meet the needs of every Coloradan, the State Library offers tools, standards, & resources, training and consulting, and communication infrastructure to strengthen public library leaders. We place particular emphasis on strengthening the 73% of Colorado public libraries that serve small and/or rural communities.

Board of Trustees | Library Directors | Law and Policy | Strategic Planning | Staff Development |  Public Library Leadership Team | Other State Library Initiatives

• In-Person Trustee Training 
• United for Libraries Short Takes for Trustees
• Register for free
• Access via Colorado's portal
• Colorado Public Library Board & Trustee Handbook 
• To request printed copies, email Sharon Morris
• Key Statistics for Trustees
• Colorado Library Trustees Email List (COLT)
• Library Advocacy - Trustee Tools from United for Libraries
• Wyoming State Library Trustee Resources
• What Every Trustee Should Know, New York State Library (Vimeo)

• Colorado Public Library Standards: The Public Library Standards conform to language in CRS 24-90-105(2)(a.3) calling for improvement in standards for public libraries.
• LRS Resources for Community Analysis
• Aspen Institute 
• Archived webinars:
  • The Community Centered Library (Jamie LaRue )
• ​New Director's Guide for Public Libraries (CLiC)
• New Director's Toolkit: Resources for Colorado Public Library Directors (CSL)
• The Public Library Factbook: Basic & Essential Information for Managing Your Library (Word)
• Directories:
  • Directory of Colorado Libraries: Displays a list of libraries.
  • Library Email Lists
• Professional Organizations:
  • American Library Association
  • Colorado Association of Libraries
  • Colorado Libraries Collaborate! (CLC) Colorado’s reciprocal borrowing program. It provides FREE access to library resources for library users of all CLC member libraries.
  • Colorado Library Consortium (CLiC)
  • Public Library Association (PLA)
  • Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL)
• Statistical Data:
  • Library Research Service: (LRS) is responsible for collecting and organizing library data
  • Colorado Public Library Data
  • National Public Library Statistics 

• Library Districts
  • A library district is one of the four types of Colorado public libraries specified in the Library Law (CRS 24-90-101...). It is a political subdivision of the state, funded by a voter-approved property tax. Once the library district is approved by the voters, the appointed board of trustees has full governance powers and responsibilities, including mill levy certification, budget appropriation, and the authority to issue bonds.
  • Library District Legal Documents (Bylaws, Establishment and Maps)
    • Forming a Library District
      • Library Districts: The Basics ... and More (PDF)
      • For additional resources related to library district formation or to request a training for your city, town or county, contact the Colorado State Library at 303-866-6900.
• Colorado Library Law: (CRS 24-90-101 et seq). Full text, Quick Guides, and other information on the Colorado Library Law.
• Other State Laws Impacting Public Libraries
• Sample Policies
• 2024 Election Calendar (CO Secretary of State)
• Guidelines for complying with the Fair Campaign Practices Act (FCPA) (PDF)
• Archived Webinars
  • Before the Ballot: How to Prepare for an Election (EveryLibrary) [Slides (PDF)]
  • Nuts & Bolts (and Bricks!): Library Elections Primer for Operating and Building Projects (Butler Snow LLP & George K. Baum & Co.) [Slides (PDF)]
  • How to Get a Yes Vote for Your Library Mill Levy (Arapahoe Libraries) (note: some audio issues at the beginning)
  • Voter Perceptions of Libraries: Results and Methodology of the 2018 "From Awareness to Funding" Study (RIPL)
• Additional Information
  • From Awareness to Funding 2018 (OCLC)
• Fact Sheet: Protecting Personal Information of Library Users (PDF)
• Going Fine Free - Removing Barriers to Access (PDF)
• Privatization of Public Libraries (American Library Association)
• Patron Privacy
  • Fact Sheet: Protecting Personal Information of Library Users (PDF)
  • Data Privacy Best Practices Toolkit (Pacific Library Partnership) (PDF)
  • Archived Webinars
    • Patron Data Protection Webinar Series
    • Protecting Patron Privacy: Library Policy Development

Disclaimer: This is not intended as legal advice or to serve as a legal opinion of the Colorado Department of Education. Please consult with your city, county or library district attorney, as applicable, for any legal implications for your library.

For more information, contact Sharon Morris, Public Library Leadership Principal Consultant: morris_s@cde.state.co.us or Kieran Hixon, Rural & Small Library Consultant: hixon_k@cde.state.co.us 

Connecting - Collaborating - Consulting

The Public Library Leadership Development team provides professional development, facilitation, consultation, peer networking, and change management help along with running national & statewide initiatives. We are here for you as you improve your library services, plan for the future, and lead impactful change.