2026-2027 Library Trustee and School Administrator Resources

The Indiana Library Federation (ILF) is proud to offer a series of trainings (in-person and virtual) and digital resources for library trustees and school administrators. These offerings are generously provided through a $150,000 grant from the Herbert Simon Family Foundation. 

You can learn more about this impactful 2026-2027 grant via this press release. In addition to helping us transform and expand our Statehouse Day efforts, the grant funds these crucial initiatives:

2026 & 2027 In-Person Trainings

We will be offering 4 in-person library trustee/school administrator advocacy trainings over the next two years. These trainings are designed to provide high-impact curriculum and training around advocacy in the state of Indiana. The curriculum and training will be delivered by the talented team at Hedges.

These 1-day trainings will be offered on these dates:

Registration for the 2026 trainings will go live in May/June 2026. There will be no fee to register; the cost of the program is covered through the grant. All trustees and administrators who attend will be reimbursed 49 cents a mile for travel. A hotel block will be provided for those who prefer to arrive the evening before, but the responsibility of hotel room accommodations will be on attendees. Public library directors and school librarians are encouraged to attend with their representatives.

The schedule for these trainings:

  • 9:00-10:00am: Registration & Networking
  • 10:00am-4:00pm: Trainings & Lunch

For more information about these in-person trainings, please contact Marissa Beck.

Short Takes for Trustees - United for Libraries

We are working to finalize a 2-year contract with United for Libraries to provide Short Takes for Trustees, a series of 10-15 minute videos that librarians can share with their trustees or administrators in-person or virtually. We expect to have a co-branded course through the ALA e-learning website available soon. This page will provide important resources about ILF and links for the trainings.

You can register for the training in several ways:

  • Individual registration via form - we'll provide soon!
  • Individual registration by phone or email request
  • Bulk registration via email request from library director or board chair

There will be two live welcome webinars (30 minutes each) in January 2026 to walk people through registration, logging in, and accessing training. The dates are below - the registration links to join the calls will be available soon:

  • Thursday, January 15 - 12:30-1:00pm ET/11:30am-12:00pm CT
  • Wednesday, January 28 - 5:30-6:00pm ET/4:30-5:00pm CT

On-Demand Virtual Webinars

As a supplement to in-person trainings and short training videos, both United for Libraries and Hedges will provide trainings over the next two years. United for Libraries will provide on-demand options in 2026 and Hedges will provide on-demand options in 2027. 

2026 Offerings - United for Libraries

  • Fighting Censorship - a 3-part training series
  • Striking a Balance - a 3-part training series
  • Practical Policy Management

2027 Offerings - Hedges

ILF and Hedges are working to finalize these offerings. Check back for more information!