By Amber Alarid, JVA Consulting

Last year I shared my professional development summer reading list of books that sounded like a great read by the pool. This year, however, I want to help you grow your reference book collection. Sure, you may not honestly read these books cover-to-cover, but I believe they are a staple on your desk at work or bookshelf at home. These are the books I have turned to a number of times to sort through my own questions and find answers to questions from friends, clients and readers. While I think it’s invaluable to have these books at your fingertips, I’m always conscious of the budget constraints faced by young professionals. If you’re looking for a thrifty way to access this great information, I suggest checking them out from the library and noting any gems you think will be helpful in the future, or even asking if your organization would consider buying an office copy so you and your coworkers can all access these resources.

The Best of Board Café , Jan Masaoka

This book is a great introduction to what it means to be on a nonprofit board. The book is broken into small sections, which are divided into short, specific articles that are easy to sort through and digest. Whether you need the answer to a particular question quickly or are browsing to learn more about nonprofit boards, this book is a very accessible resource. I have found myself skimming this book when I have a free moment just to identify topics I need to learn more about to be a better-informed board member.

The Nonprofit Board Answer Book, Board Source

Yes, I know, this is the second book about boards, but it’s because I think joining a board is an incredible opportunity that every young professional should take advantage of. I have found this book very helpful when identifying the expectations and obligations of a nonprofit board member. I think this is a must read/skim for every young professional before joining a board for the first time in order to get a clearer picture about what it really means to be on a board.

Asking: A 59-Minute Guide to Everything Board Members, Volunteers and Staff Must Know to Secure the Gift, Jerold Panas

Fundraising is an important skill for everyone to have in the nonprofit sector, no matter what your official role at your organization. I have heard time and time again (and personally understand) that fundraising can be intimidating for anyone, especially someone new to a career or an organization, but I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to be. This book is another great book for skimming through whenever you have a free moment because of its short sections. There are quick tips on how to handle no’s, sample letters inviting donors to visit your organization and a list of the “Golden Rules of Fundraising.”

StrengthsFinder 2.0, Tom Rath

Hopefully you have already picked up a copy of this book (this is one I would highly recommend buying new because you need the one-time use access code to take the StrengthsFinder test for yourself) and taken the test. I included this book on my list of great resources because I keep it at my desk to periodically review my top strengths and how I can apply those to projects I’m working on at the moment.

Are there books that you’re excited to pick up this summer? Share them in the comments section below.