Board Members relate to:
- other board members
- the library director
- the staff
- the community represented.
Board members are:
- open-minded
- objective
- unbiased – do what’s best for the group
- reasonable.
Board Member Service Terms:- last three to five years
- Reappointment usually occurs -- if a board member will serve the community well.
- Communication lines are open.
- Trust levels are high.
Intra-Board Relationships
Most common reason to join a library board has to do with the desire to serve the community in an area to which they can bring some knowledge or talent. People with personal agendas are often elected or appointed to library boards, and they can cause serious problems.:- The following reasons for joining a library board may be problamatic:
- a potential board member wants to cut taxes and does not care where or how.
- a potential board member thinks it will look good on a political resume.
- a potential board member thinks board service might be a good deed for social acceptance.
- a potential board member is a political activist and has one issue of concern for which he/she campaigns to the exclusion of other issues.
- a potential board member believes that alone he knows what is moral(immoral) pertaining to the library.
- Options for Dealing with Difficult Board Members:
- examine reasons for being on the library board
- Ask questions:
- someone else, likely has the same or similar questions.
- questions will uncover the entire story and reduce hidden agendas.
- If a board member lies or cheats then other board member must set limits.
- Avoid being offensive:
- Use an “I” message.
- “I” messages are clear.
- Use 'active listening' at meetings and show your value as a board member.
- Relationships with the Library Director:
- Important Points:
- A board member’s job to work with other board members on library governance.
- A library director’s job is to manage the library.
- The library director is an “employee” of the board members.
- A governing board is responsible for:
- hiring the library director.
- evaluating the library director.
- firing the library director.
- The library director manages the rest of the staff through:
- hiring
- evaluating
- firing
- Advisory board, it is someone else’s responsibility to employ the library director, although board members should be able to advise the employer on various aspects of the director’s employment.
- The best relationship between board members and a library director is as a team working together for the good of the library and the community it serves.
- Remember that one of a board member’s responsibilities is to evaluate the library director’s performance with objectivity and compassion.
- Clear and good communication is the most powerful tool a board member has in establishing a solid working relationship with a director.
- Avoid discussing questions or concerns with a third party.
- A board member’s questions or concerns should be discussed openly with the library director.
- Discussing questions or concerns directly with the library director, or if necessary the chair person will quickly clear up the questions or concerns.
Relationships with the Community- You are representing either a whole community or a part of one. It should be made clear at the outset that you are representing:
- a neighborhood
- age group
- an ethnicity
- a business community
- a particular town or county
- Board members need to know what their constituents want from the library or the library system.
- Attend community meetings.
- Ask questions at gatherings.
- Listen to what people say about the library.
Relationships with Library Staff- Be discreet when friends with staff members.
- It is tempting for staff members who know a board member personally to complain about work matters or supervisors.
- The most common complaint is about the library director.
- Libraries are often managed in a hierarchical style.
- This can cause poor morale.
- It is often hard for staff to understand why librarians are more than they are, and at times they are resentful.
- Some of the complaints about the library director or a supervisor might be justified, but board members should not discuss these issues with staff.
- Review the management style and capability of the director during regular evaluation sessions.
- Relationships with staff can be amiable and courteous.
- Board members should care about their welfare because they are the backbone of the library service.
- They also represent the library’s greatest resource since staff salaries use 0 percent or more of an annual budget.
- Do not court friendships with staff people while on the board.
Relationships with Political EntitiesThe most important relationships you can have, as far as the library is concerned, are those with local, state, and federal political representatives.
Government bodies at all three levels have a powerful impact on public libraries.- If your library board serves a county or city, the county commissioners or city council members make decisions that are critical to the library’s welfare.
- They determine the size of the county’s or city’s contribution to the annual library budget.
- They are instrumental in zoning decisions, bond issues, security, and other matters.
- Board members should regularly attend county commission or city council meetings, to stay informed about:
- local matters
- where community leadership is heading
- Board members should be informed and knowledgable about the goals of funding organization.
- If the library goals are not inline with the goals of the funding organization then the funding organization may be unhappy with the library.
- Board members should ask questions and make comments when appropriate, and talk to county commissioners and city council members after meetings.
- Board members should be comfortable contacting state representatives about issues of concern.
- State governments make decisions that affect their libraries.
- Most states provide funding for public libraries.
- State legislatures make the laws that govern the way the library operates.
- The federal government has provides funding to libraries.
- It supplies state library agencies with federal funds.
- It gets involved in such issues as:
- First Amendment issues
- copyright issues
- telecommunications costs
- Board members are at an advantage if they are able speak with Congress members.
- e-mails, letters, and phone calls will make an impact.