Roles and Responsibilities Of the library trustee

Transcript:Roles and Responsibilities Of the library trustee:
Roles and Responsibilities Of the library trustee Patricia Pavlak NJLTA New Jersey Library Association What makes a good Library Trustee? One who is professional One who is knowledgeable, enthusiastic, supportive One who approaches library service with curiosity One who views the community as a whole One who Is a good listener and a good communicator One who respects other opinions One who is a member of NJLTA and other professional library organizations What should a Library Trustee know? A little of everything! The more you know, the better your board will function What should a Library Trustee know? What kind of library do you serve? What kind of government do you serve? Who are your elected officials? What is your library’s mission statement? Bylaws of the organization What should a Library Trustee know? How is your library funded? What other sources of funding are available? What services and resources are available at your library? Get to know the patrons Get to know the staff What should a Library Trustee know? Local, state and federal laws pertaining to libraries Current legislation affecting libraries What are other libraries in your area doing? Robert’s Rules Library board basics How the library board functions What is the responsibility of the library board? As a legal, public institution the library board is accountable to: Taxpayers Community leaders Civic leaders Funders Patrons Board Basics - Bylaws Every board adopts bylaws and rules for its governance The bylaws should be in writing and reviewed periodically Bylaws outline how the board functions as an organization Bylaws Basics Bylaws state what business is to be conducted Describes how often and where to meet Defines the order of agenda Defines what constitutes a quorum Describes how to take a vote Descriptions of standing committees Describes how the officers are elected Describes the primary duties of the officers Library Funding One of the board’s primary functions is to secure adequate funding for the successful operation of the library Funding NJ library law gives boards of trustees responsibility for the use of funds available for library purposes. (NJSA 40:54-12) The governing body shall annually appropriate and raise by taxation a sum equal to 1/3 of a mill on every dollar of assessable property within such municipality bases of the equalized valuation of property (NJSA 40:54-8) Funding Sources of library funds: Local taxes and appropriations State Aid Fines, fees, gifts, bequests, fundraising activities