Libraries are typically formed as special purpose governments focused on providing access to information for citizens. As such, the approach to the financial management requires a different perspective than most local governments.

The Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia has created an online certificate program to meet this unique need. The program is comprised of six courses. Content includes budgeting, accounting, internal control, financial policies, purchasing, and payroll.

The budgeting course will focus on roles of the board and staff in the budget preparation process, estimating revenues and expenditures, projection of ending fund balance, budget justification, and budget monitoring.

The course is comprised of self-study which includes required reading, tutorials, review questions and recorded webinars. In addition, the participant is required to pass a final exam.

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• recall the role of the strategic plan in budgeting

• identify the importance of performance measures

• recall a typical library budget process

• recite how fund balance evolves and its importance in budgeting

• identify supporting schedules to support a budget request and prepare budget justification

• recall the importance of revenues to the budget process

• recall how to monitor the budget

Instructors are experts in government finance. The lead instructor worked as a Business Manager for a large metro-Atlanta library system. That experience informed the development of this certification program. Fifty-two Georgia library business managers and library directors have successfully completed the certification.  Find out more about the instructors Tracy Arner, Beth Horacek, John Hulsey, and Dave Lakly.