Budget and Finance (PLA)
Instructor: Sandra Nelson
Sponsoring Institution: Public Library Association
Course Fee:
$250 for PLA members and partners
$300 for ALA members
$400 for non-members
Fee will include all training materials, breaks, and lunch on both days of the workshop.
If you would like to partner with PLA to present this program in your state, email Linda Bostrom for more information (lbostrom@ala.org).
Course Schedule: This is a two-day workshop that will be presented in various sites around the country. The training program schedule for the two days will be:
- Day 1: 10 am – 12 pm; 1 pm – 5 pm
- Day 2: 8:30 am – 12 pm; 1 pm – 4:30 pm
In addition, all CPLA candidates will complete two projects.
Course Structure/Delivery:
This two-day program will provide working librarians with the skills and knowledge they need to effectively manage all aspects of the library budget process. The program is interactive and it includes a variety of group exercises based on a case study about a medium-sized county library with multiple branches. Using the same case study throughout the training will give participants an opportunity to apply what they are learning in a practical way in the “real” library – and to see the effects of the decisions they make throughout the two-day program.
At the end of the training program, participants will be able to assign budget responsibilities, describe the typical sources of library funding, identify typical budget categories, compare and contrast four types of budgets, prepare a program budget from a line-item budget, link the budget process to the library’s strategic planning priorities, develop performance measures and operations indicators for specific library services, complete a cost-benefit analysis, establish fiscal controls and manage their cash flow, evaluate sources of funding for a capital campaign, and develop an effective budget presentation.
Enrollment Process: Registration information is available through the PLA Web site.
Technology Requirements: Internet access.
Contact: If you have questions or would like more information about the class, please get in touch the instructor, Sandra Nelson (sandra-nelson@comcast.net).
