Library Board and Director Duties Policy

MT. LEBANON PUBLIC LIBRARY
 
POLICY NUMBER:          9
TITLE:                            Library Board and Library Director Duties and Responsibilities
DATE ISSUED:               January 24, 2002
REPLACES:                    Previous policy no. 9, issued December 14, 1989
 
PURPOSE:  To set forth the duties and responsibilities of the Library Board of Trustees and the Library Director.
 
GENERAL REFERENCE:  A Handbook For Public Library Trustees, Published by Commonwealth Libraries, Pennsylvania Department of Education, March 1993.
 
STATEMENT OF POLICY:
 
The duties and responsibilities of the Library Board and the Library Director are as follows:
           
                            
Governance and Policy Making
 

Library Board

Engage in long-range and short-range planning.
 
Determine the goals and objectives of the board in setting goals and library and methods of evaluating progress toward meeting them.  Review goals and objectives annually and evaluate progress.
 
Relate the library and its programs to the community and its needs, discovered through systematic study of the community and analysis of library service.  Use data from output measures in analysis.                              
 
Determine and adopt written policies to govern the operation, use and program of the library.  Adopt bylaws for board procedures.     
 
Seek a cooperative basis with officials of the municipality or other governing unit, keeping in mind the special legal responsibilities of a library board.
 
Attend all board committee meetings to which assigned.  Carry out all special assignments promptly.     

 
Library Director

Be actively involved in planning.
                                    
Provide assistance and direction to the board in setting goals and objectives and determining methods of evaluation.
 
Assist the board to know the needs of the community and how to respond to these needs through the library.
 
Participate fully in the community analysis process and in the continuing library survey. Implement use of output measures to analyze service.
 
Prepare regular reports on current progress and future needs.
 

Recommend needed policies to the board and supply examples and sources of information.  Carry out the policies adopted by the board.
 

Interpret policies to staff and public. 
            
Provide the board with recommendations and materials for study.
 
Administer the library within the framework of the library’s goals and objectives, policies and budget.
 
Prepare all needed library reports for the local unit of government, the system and Commonwealth Libraries. Provide copies to the board and community.
                                               
Attend all board and committee meetings except those meetings or parts of meetings in which the library director’s salary and tenure are discussed.          

 
Shared Governance and Policy Making Responsibilities
 
Know local, state and national laws which affect libraries and play an active role in initiating and supporting beneficial library legislation.
 
Participate fully in the Pennsylvania library system and make use of the consultants of the district library center and Commonwealth Libraries.
 
Participate in the work of the District Advisory Council.
 
Attend district library center meetings, regional, state and national library meetings and workshops when possible and join appropriate organizations working for improved libraries.
 
Study library publications.
 
 
Financial
 

Library Board                         
Keep abreast of the financial status of the library and SECURE ADEQUATE FUNDS.     
 
Work with the library director to formulate and adopt a budget to carry out the library’s goals and objectives, within any limitation of the local, state and
federal laws.               
 
Present the budget to public officials and the general public; explain and      defend it.
 
Library Director
Supply facts and figures to the board to aid in interpreting  the library’s financial status and need.
 
 Prepare an annual budget in consultation with staff and board.
                                               
Keep within the budget.
 
Work with the board in interpreting budget and financial need of the library to public officials and the public.

 
 
Shared Financial Responsibilities
 
Investigate means of cooperation with other libraries to make effective use of funds and develop services.
 
Keep complete and accurate records concerning finance, personnel, property inventory and annual reports on file at the library.
 
 
Personnel
 

Library Board                         
Develop policies to guide staff            selection.                                                        
Employ a competent and qualified library director and pay an adequate salary.        
 
Provide adequate compensation and
reasonable fringe benefits for all employees.  Provide agreeable working conditions and opportunities for professional growth.
           
                       
 
Library Director
Hire and direct subordinate staff members in line with library personnel policies.
 
Utilize skills and initiative of staff members to their own and the library’s advantage.
 
Work for needed improvements in working conditions, salary scale and fringe benefits.
 

Shared Personnel Responsibilities
 
Observe all local, state and federal laws that relate to current employment practices.
 
Provide in-service training for the professional development of staff members and effective implementation of library policies.  Provide opportunities for additional education and advancement.