About the Board
Legal Responsibilities
- Works closely with municipal officials.
- Responsible for custody and management of the library (unless otherwise provided by municipal charter or special legislation).
- Seek municipal legal counsel when needed (with Director).
- Follow all local, state, and federal laws and regulations that affect public libraries (with Director).
Governance and Policy-Making Responsibilities
- Hires and evaluates the director unless otherwise dictated by state or local laws.
- Adopts library policies and plans and board by-laws and procedures.
- Approves and supports the budget.
- Reviews reports, stays informed, and represents the community.
- Notifies appropriate authorities of board vacancies.
- Develop and review priorities for the library (with Director).
Financial Responsibilities
- Reviews the director’s budget request, makes recommendations, and officially adopts the budget.
- Actively supports and advocates for the budget.
- Reports annually to municipal officials on trustee-controlled funds.
- Keeps informed of the library's financial status, funding sources, and needs.
- Present and defend budget requests to municipal funding authorities (with Director).
- Attend all budget hearings (with Director).
- Seek additional sources of funding with the Director (grants, private, other) (with Director).
Strategic Planning Responsibilities
- Approves strategic plan.
- Actively participate in strategic planning (with Director).
- Involve the community in the planning process (with Director).
- Conduct community analysis and survey of library services (with Director).
- Review and evaluate the plan (with Director).
Human Resources Responsibilities
- Hires and evaluates the director unless otherwise dictated by state or local laws.
- Determines and advocates for optimal salary and benefits for employees.
- Adheres to personnel policies.
- Conducts annual review of board performance.
- Observe all local, state, and federal laws related to current employment practices (with Director).
- Orient new trustees (with Director).
Continuing Education Responsibilities
- Creates and adopts a policy that demonstrates a commitment to the importance of continuing education for all staff and trustees.
- Provide and encourage ongoing learning opportunities for staff and trustees (with Director).
- Encourage and financially support membership and active participation in professional organizations (with Director).