An Overview: Trustees of municipal public libraries have full power to manage the public library, make bylaws, elect officers, establish a library policy and receive, control and manage property which shall come into the hands of the municipality by gift, purchase, devise or bequest for the use and benefit of the library. The board may appoint a director for the efficient administration and conduct of the library.
What are the responsibilities of Library’s Board of Trustees? *
General Administration: Recruit and employ a qualified library director; maintain an ongoing performance appraisal process for the director.
Policy: Identify and adopt written policies to govern the operation and program of the library
including personnel, general operating, and collection development policies.
Planning: Ensure that the library has a long-range planning process with implementation and
evaluation components. The process should include input from friends, community and staff. Support the librarian, staff and friends in carrying out the library’s program.
Marketing: Ensure that the library has an active marketing program.
Fiscal: Secure adequate funds to carry out the library’s program; assist in the preparation and presentation of the annual budget.
Legislative: Be familiar with local, state and federal library laws as well as pending library legislation.
Meetings: Attend and participate in all board meetings and see that accurate records are kept on file at the library; comply with Freedom of Information regulations; appoint a liaison to the friends’ board to attend their meetings.
Networking: Attend state trustee meetings and workshops, and affiliate with ALTAFF. Make use of the services and consultants of the Vermont Department of Libraries. Attend the Vermont Library Trustee Association Fall Conference and the TOEC.
*Find original document (adapted from Connecticut State Library) at https://www.highgatevt.org/vertical/sites/%7B27DD8364-9602-460E-9A11-4C6436D74153%7D/uploads/chartVT.pdf
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