Policy Development One of the most important responsibilities of the library board is to establish the policies of the library. Policies can be defined as “a broad course of action [...]

Communities like to think of the public library as the "free library," but no library is free. The money needed for purchasing materials, paying salaries, maintaining facilities, continuing technology upgrades, [...]

Hiring a Library Director The selection of a competent library director can be the most important single act undertaken by the board of trustees. In the process of selecting and [...]

Friends of the Library organizations have a definite purpose in helping libraries provide the best service possible. Friends groups extend the circle of contacts in the community begun by library [...]

The Trustee and Library Planning Change is a constant. All institutions will either change over time or cease to be relevant. For each institution, the question is not "Will we [...]

Annual Cycle of City Library Events The board sets the date of its annual meeting. October 1Fiscal Year Begins for City LibrariesI.C. § 50-1001January 1Annual report to the Board of [...]

Appointments & Elections Upon the election or appointment of new board members, the board’s chair or secretary should notify the appropriate ICfL public library consultant so that the new trustees [...]

Orientation The library board welcomes the new members of the board by providing the information necessary to feel comfortable with their new job and to begin work. Like any new [...]

Basic Responsibilities The library board is legally responsible for overseeing the efficient and effective operation of the public library. Board members, operating as a team, hire the library's administrator (the [...]

Welcome Thank you for your willingness to serve as a trustee on your local public library board. Both of my parents served as trustees (at different times, of course!) for [...]