Board Meetings
Board OrientationA thorough orientation includes the following information:list of board membersboard members’ contact informationboard members’ terms of officedescription of board committeesbylaws of the boardlibrary’s vision and mission statement and any planning documentscopies of all current:library policiesbudgetlatest audit reportboard minutes for the last six monthsannual reports for the last five yearsdiagram of organizational structurea copy of your state’s library lawsdescription of the library’s:programsserviceshoursannual statistical reports and any other evaluative databrochures or other publications about the libraryA new board member should tour the library’s facilities and talk with the director(s).A new board member should discuss:How the library is run.What relationships it has with local government and other public institutions such as schools.What vision the director has for the future of the library. A Board Member's Job DescriptionSome boards encourage membership of:people who are well known in the field.some want wealthy people who are expected to contribute to various funding campaigns.others look for people who can represent parts of the community and act on their behalf.Library board members:usually represent parts of the community and act on the community's behalf.a library board member may be referred to as a trustee.are stewards of the library’s growth and success.are caretakers of the library needs of the community.are public servants endowed with the people’s trust to take care of the community’s library and its patrons.need to be:politically capableeconomically capablesocially consciousquick learnersgood team playersenthusiastic about what libraries can do for the lifelong learning of the patrons. Characteristics of SuccessCommon characteristics of successful board members:A board member should be willing and able, if he/she does not already have experience in, to act as a whole group, not as individuals.willingness to:commit time and energy to the positionmake decisionsconsider new programs, methods, and technology to solve problemsattend events for continuing educationto participate in fund-raisingdesire to see the library assume an important role in the community that fully serves its customers.a record of working well with others.ability to:participate in discussions without taking over meetings.advocate for the library in the community and in presentations to some units of government.knowledge of the community.commitment to progress for the library. Tasks & ResponsibilitiesThe Advisory BoardAn advisory board provides counsel and recommendations.Library branch board members or municipal library board members will probably be expected:to advise on library hours of operationto assist in strategic planning for the libraryto participate in the annual evaluation of the directorto provide policy recommendationsto act as a library advocateAn advisory board member should ask what the specific responsibilities are.In some municipal libraries, the job of library governing is assigned to the board through municipal ordinance.The Governing Board:determines library policiescreates the strategic plansets the library budgethas resource oversight of fund-raising and liabilityadvocates for libraryhires and fires the library directoranswers only to the public for decisions they makegoverns the librarydoes NOT manage the libraryThe Director & Staff:manage the library Make decisions about:personnelprogram developmentdaily operationstechnology usecollection developmentmarketingfinancial managementprogram evaluationfacility maintenanceA Board Member:attends and participates at meetings.attendance and participation is vital to board success.board bylaws indicate the number of meetings acceptable to miss before dismissal.learns as much as he can about his responsibilites.learns and becomes familiar with local and national issues that affect libraries.understands the laws governing public meetings and availability of public records.upholds the First Amendment.protects the right to:readseelistenencourages diversityemphasizes literacyis expected to accept leadership roles.Chairs and vice chairs:who plan and run meetings.appoint work committees for special projects.work closely with the library director in between meetings.often represent the board in meetings with governing officials or the media.may attend the Association for Library Trustees and Advocates or State Library Association conference meetings and/or workshops to aid in their efforts and growth as a board member.
Board Orientation
A Board Member's Job Description
Characteristics of SuccessCommon characteristics of successful board members:A board member should be willing and able, if he/she does not already have experience in, to act as a whole group, not as individuals.willingness to:commit time and energy to the positionmake decisionsconsider new programs, methods, and technology to solve problemsattend events for continuing educationto participate in fund-raisingdesire to see the library assume an important role in the community that fully serves its customers.a record of working well with others.ability to:participate in discussions without taking over meetings.advocate for the library in the community and in presentations to some units of government.knowledge of the community.commitment to progress for the library. Tasks & ResponsibilitiesThe Advisory BoardAn advisory board provides counsel and recommendations.Library branch board members or municipal library board members will probably be expected:to advise on library hours of operationto assist in strategic planning for the libraryto participate in the annual evaluation of the directorto provide policy recommendationsto act as a library advocateAn advisory board member should ask what the specific responsibilities are.In some municipal libraries, the job of library governing is assigned to the board through municipal ordinance.The Governing Board:determines library policiescreates the strategic plansets the library budgethas resource oversight of fund-raising and liabilityadvocates for libraryhires and fires the library directoranswers only to the public for decisions they makegoverns the librarydoes NOT manage the libraryThe Director & Staff:manage the library Make decisions about:personnelprogram developmentdaily operationstechnology usecollection developmentmarketingfinancial managementprogram evaluationfacility maintenanceA Board Member:attends and participates at meetings.attendance and participation is vital to board success.board bylaws indicate the number of meetings acceptable to miss before dismissal.learns as much as he can about his responsibilites.learns and becomes familiar with local and national issues that affect libraries.understands the laws governing public meetings and availability of public records.upholds the First Amendment.protects the right to:readseelistenencourages diversityemphasizes literacyis expected to accept leadership roles.Chairs and vice chairs:who plan and run meetings.appoint work committees for special projects.work closely with the library director in between meetings.often represent the board in meetings with governing officials or the media.may attend the Association for Library Trustees and Advocates or State Library Association conference meetings and/or workshops to aid in their efforts and growth as a board member.
Characteristics of Success
Tasks & ResponsibilitiesThe Advisory BoardAn advisory board provides counsel and recommendations.Library branch board members or municipal library board members will probably be expected:to advise on library hours of operationto assist in strategic planning for the libraryto participate in the annual evaluation of the directorto provide policy recommendationsto act as a library advocateAn advisory board member should ask what the specific responsibilities are.In some municipal libraries, the job of library governing is assigned to the board through municipal ordinance.The Governing Board:determines library policiescreates the strategic plansets the library budgethas resource oversight of fund-raising and liabilityadvocates for libraryhires and fires the library directoranswers only to the public for decisions they makegoverns the librarydoes NOT manage the libraryThe Director & Staff:manage the library Make decisions about:personnelprogram developmentdaily operationstechnology usecollection developmentmarketingfinancial managementprogram evaluationfacility maintenanceA Board Member:attends and participates at meetings.attendance and participation is vital to board success.board bylaws indicate the number of meetings acceptable to miss before dismissal.learns as much as he can about his responsibilites.learns and becomes familiar with local and national issues that affect libraries.understands the laws governing public meetings and availability of public records.upholds the First Amendment.protects the right to:readseelistenencourages diversityemphasizes literacyis expected to accept leadership roles.Chairs and vice chairs:who plan and run meetings.appoint work committees for special projects.work closely with the library director in between meetings.often represent the board in meetings with governing officials or the media.may attend the Association for Library Trustees and Advocates or State Library Association conference meetings and/or workshops to aid in their efforts and growth as a board member.
Tasks & Responsibilities