Revised
Because a public library belongs to the entire community, each library has a board of trustees, created by law to act as its governing body. All authority resides in the board. The board expresses its views in the policies which it adopts, which reflect fair and open public discussion. Once the board has adopted a policy officially, it is the responsibility of each board member to accept and support that policy.
In addition to being a policy-setting group, the board is also an advocacy group, supporting the library before the budget commission, the state legislature, civic and cultural organizations, and the public at large.
Library board members are holders of the public trust, so it is not surprising that there are some legal requirements regarding this appointed position. Trustee powers and duties are set out in Section 3375.40 Ohio Revised Code. Trustee actions are bound by various other Ohio statutes, including those related to open meetings, conflicts of interest and fiduciary oversight.
Role of the Library Board of Trustees*
Providing library services and materials that reflect the community’s values and standards is the overriding responsibility of the board.
The library board is accountable to the public to see that the library is operated in an efficient and productive manner. To accomplish this, the board’s attention is focused on:
- Establishing policies to provide the direction for all aspects of the library;
- Overseeing the financial operations of the library, including adopting an annual budget, approving the bills, and reviewing the financial documents of the library;
- Planning and evaluating library services;
- Purchasing and maintaining all property owned by the library;
- Appointing the director and the fiscal officer for the library;
- Acting as an advocate for the library in the community as well as in government; and
- Staying informed on issues that impact public libraries.
The library is operated under the administrative guidance of the director who is hired by the board. Hiring of an able administrator is one of the most important duties of the board. The administrator interprets the policies of the board to assure that the needs and expectations of the taxpayers, the patrons, employees, and the budget commission are being met in the best possible way.
Time commitment
Meetings
- Regular meetings
Monthly, set by the board each year, generally scheduled for the third or fourth Tuesday of the month at 6pm (in-person) - Special meetings
As needed, usually only once or twice a year (in-person) - Committee meetings
Six committees meet on an as-needed basis (in-person) - Board retreat
Annually, usually held on a week in the first three months of the year (in-person)
Other commitments
One Board member serves as the Liaison to the Friends Foundation of Worthington Libraries each year. Membership in Friends Foundation of Worthington Libraries is strongly encouraged for all Board members.
Additionally, attendance at numerous library events throughout the year is encouraged. Such events include the annual community breakfast, library advocacy activities and events sponsored by the Friends Foundation of Worthington Libraries.
Trustees receive an orientation from the library’s administrative team upon appointment to the Library Board. Attendance at trustee training programs (put on by the Ohio Library Council) is strongly encouraged for new trustees.
* Taken from Ohio Public Library Trustees’ Handbook, Ohio Library Council - 2019