Date/Time
Duration: 60 minutes
Description
Join us for an engaging and practical conversation about building powerful, aligned relationships between Library Trustees, the Library Foundation, Friends of the Library, and Library Administration.
In Stronger Together: Power Partnerships for Library Leadership, two of our Library Trustees and our Library Director will share insights into how we intentionally coordinate our efforts, strengthen communication, and work collaboratively to advance our library’s mission.
Our library has taken a proactive approach by forming an Advocacy Committee that unifies Trustees, Foundation members, Friends, and Library leadership outside of our separate operational roles. This committee creates space for shared strategy, coordinated messaging, and collective action. In addition, we come together annually for a retreat focused on relationship-building, long-range planning, and aligning priorities.
Learning Outcomes
- How to clearly define roles while encouraging collaboration.
- Strategies for building trust and open communication.
- Structuring an advocacy committee that strengthens, rather than duplicates, work.
- Planning meaningful retreats that foster alignment and momentum.
- Lessons learned and practical takeaways for libraries of all sizes.
Contact
If you have a question or need to make arrangements for additional assistance or accessibility, please contact United for Libraries staff by email at united@ala.org or by phone at (312) 280-2161.Presenters
Brandon Beaudette
Director, Santa Barbara Public Library
With more than 25 years of public service experience, Brandon Beaudette was appointed Director of the Santa Barbara Public Library in September 2025, continuing a career dedicated to civic service and collaboration. A proud graduate of UC Santa Barbara Beaudette has held leadership roles across several City Departments, including Public Works, Finance, and the City Administrator's Office.
Since stepping into the role of Acting Library Director in 2024, Beaudette has led the Library through a period of revitalization, overseeing major facility improvements and supporting a return to vibrant community use across all branches. He is passionate about ensuring the Library reflects the needs of Santa Barbara's unique community and remains a welcoming and inclusive space for learning, creativity, and connection. When he's not at the Library, he's likely immersed in a graphic novel or comic book, enjoying the power of storytelling in all its forms.
Margaret CroccoChair, Santa Barbara Public Library Advisory Board
Margaret S. Crocco is the Chair of the Santa Barbara Public Library Advisory Board, on which she has served since 2021.
A retired educator, she is Professor Emerita from Teachers College, Columbia University where her research and teaching focused on civic education.
Cecilia K Harris, PhD
Vice-Chair, Santa Barbara Public Library Advisory Board
Cecilia Kimberlin (Cece) Harris is a retired Corporate Executive from
Abbott, a global medical products company. Cece has served as Board
Chair for the American Society for Quality and the Regulatory Affairs Professional Society.
She is currently Vice-Chair of the Santa Barbara Public Library
Advisory Board. She is actively engaged in, and supports, a number of
philanthropy groups focused on women and children, literacy and housing,
and has always been a strong advocate for libraries.
Lauren Trujillo
Executive Director, Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation
Lauren Trujillo, MLIS, CFRE, is the Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Public Library Foundation and President-Elect of United for Libraries, bringing energy and vision to community-centered library partnerships. A UCSB alum with a master’s in Library & Information Science from UCLA, she’s worked with a wide range of local nonprofits, cultural, and historic organizations across Santa Barbara. Named a 2024 Local Hero by the Santa Barbara Independent, Lauren is passionate about connecting people, philanthropy, and libraries to strengthen communities.
