While only trustees have the legal responsibility and authority to set the library’s policy, experience shows that the decision process works best when the library director and other staff are involved in researching options, drafting policies, and presenting a report to the board. In medium and large libraries, the staff usually assumes responsibility for submitting policy analysis to the appropriate board committee. In small libraries, trustees may often prepare the analysis of policy options.
| Board of Trustees | Library Director |
|---|---|
| Determines the goals and objectives of the library and methods of evaluating progress toward meeting them. Reviews goals and objectives annually and evaluate progress. | Provides assistance and direction to the board in setting goals and objectives and determining methods of evaluation. Provides information and opinion on how the library is progressing. |
| Relates the library and its programs to the community and its needs, discovered through systematic study of the community and through systematic analysis of library service. | Assists the board to know the needs of the community and how to respond to these needs through library services. |
| Determines and adopts written policies to govern the operation, use, and program of the library. Adopts bylaws for board procedures. Reviews policies on a regular basis, especially as part of the orientation of new trustees. | Recommends needed polices to the board and studies examples and sources of information. Carries out the policies as adopted by the board. Interprets policies to the staff and public. Provides the board with recommendations and materials for study. |
| Seeks a cooperative basis with officials of the municipality or other local governing unit, keeping in mind the special legal responsibilities of a library board. | Administers the library within the framework of the law and the library’s goals and objectives, policies, and budget. |
| Attends all board meetings and committee meetings to which assigned. Carries out all special assignments properly. | Prepares all needed library reports for the local unity of government and the Idaho Commission for Libraries. Provides copies to the board. |