The New Leader by the year 3000

• 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 is acts 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 Entities

• The 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.