Director
Budgeting and Finance for Public Libraries
What You'll Learn
- Budgeting and financial concepts and terms as they apply to public libraries
- The decision making and strategies that go into creating a budget
- Best practices in establishing financial controls and procedures
- How today’s financial decisions can impact future sustainability of your organization
8 Modules
16 Hours
2 hrs per module (approx.)
About Budgeting and Finance for Public Libraries
Money isn’t generally the first topic that comes to mind when thinking about libraries, however it is a critical resource that touches every aspect of the organization. Whether you are an aspiring manager or a library director, it is important that your organization’s finances are aligned with your service goals and priorities.
This course, part of the Public Library Management Professional Certificate program, will help you understand how to build a budget, read financial reports, and plan for the long-term sustainability of your library.
Skills You'll Gain
- Auditing
- Budgeting
- Finance
- Library Management
- Public Budgeting
What You'll Earn
- Certificate of Completion:
- Certificates of completion acknowledge knowledge acquired upon completion of a non-credit course or program.
Welcome Message
Budgeting and Finance for Public Libraries introduces learners to financial decision-making in library management. You will learn how to build budgets, analyze financial reports, forecast expenditures, and plan for long-term sustainability, aligning financial resources with community service goals and organizational priorities. This course is part of the Public Library Management series.
This abbreviated syllabus description was created with the help of AI tools and reviewed by staff. The full syllabus is available to those who enroll in the course.
Course Schedule
Module 1: Introduction
- Navigating the edX Platform
- Welcome to the Course
- Syllabus
- Lecture 1.1: Introduction
- Discussion Forum #1: Introduce Yourself (1 Question)
- Help Us Learn More About You!
Module 2: Starting with a Piece of the Budget
- Lesson 2 Overview
- Lecture 2.1: Managing a Materials Budget, Part 1
- Quiz #1 (4 Questions)
- Lecture 2.2: Managing a Materials Budget, Part 2
- Assignment #1 (1 Question)
Module 3: Expenditures
- Lesson 3 Overview
- Lecture 3.1: Expenditures
- Quiz #2 (4 Questions)
- Lecture 3.2: Personnel: The Special Expenditure
- Discussion Forum #2 - The Full-Time Employee Challenge (1 Question)
Module 4: Forecasting Expenditures
- Lesson 4 Overview
- Lecture 4.1: Forecasting Expenditures
- Quiz #3 (4 Questions)
- Lecture 4.2: Budgeting for Capital Expenditures
- Quiz #4 (3 Questions)
Module 5: Revenues
- Lesson 5 Overview
- Lecture 5.1: Revenues
- Assignment #2: Readings and Discussion (1 Question)
Module 6: Building the Budget
- Lesson 6 Overview
- Lecture 6.1: Building the Budget
- Assignment #3 - Readings(1 Question)
- Quiz #5 (4 Questions)
- Assignment #4: Framing
- Assignment #4 (1 Question)
Module 7: Financial Management, Auditing, and Control
- Lesson 7 Overview
- Assignment #5 - Readings (1 Question)
- Lecture 7.1: Managing the Budget and Internal Controls
- Quiz #6 (5 Questions)
- Assignment #6 - Readings (1 Question)
- Lecture 7.2: External Audits
- Quiz #7 (4 Questions)
- Discussion Forum #4 - Public Library Audit (1 Question)
Module 8: Planning for the Future
- Lesson 8 Overview
- Lecture 8.1: Planning for the Future
- Assignment #7 - Reading and Discussion (1 Question)
- Lecture 8.2: Conclusion
- Course Feedback
Grading Policy
Course materials and assignments are self-paced. To earn a certificate, you must achieve an overall grade of 80%. The course grade is based on quizzes (30%), discussions (10%), readings (10%), a module 2 assignment (20%), and a module 6 assignment (30%).
Course content developed by U-M faculty and managed by the university. Faculty titles and affiliations are updated periodically.
Beginner Level
Access to a public library community. Basic familiarity with and access to a spreadsheet application (Excel or equivalent).
