What is a Trustee, what do they do?
A Trustee is a Library Board Member who is accountable to the residents of the community and others who are served by your library. A trustee is responsible for working with other board members to oversee the library, establishing policy and plans, determining the final budget and conducting public relations.
Duties of a Trustee:
Attend and participate in all board meetings
Read board meeting minutes and other materials sent to the board
Become informed about all phases of library operations
Serve on committees as assigned by the Board Chair
Lends expertise and leadership to the board for the good of the library
Actively participates in activities and workshops
Help to secure adequate funding for the library
Participate in fundraising activities
Visit the library, check out library materials
Qualifications and Abilities:
Appreciation of the library and a desire to provide the best possible
library service for your community
Willingness to be a team player
Ability to work with people
Ability to plan
Ability to put aside personal preferences for the greater good of the
library and its mission to serve the community.
How long should a trustee serve?
No trustee should serve on a board indefinitely, no matter how
dedicated and no matter how effective the trustee is. Continuity of
service provides the wisdom of experience, but change provides the
essential infusion of new ideas. Both are needed. It is the responsibility
of board members to recruit and encourage qualified potential trustees.
There are many ways a former trustee may continue to contribute to the library organization:
Help raise funds
Join a committee
Volunteer for a short-term or long-term project
Participate in a one-time event or project
Provide positive public relations by continuing to be a good
spokesperson and positive advocate for the library
Offer occasional expertise in areas such as law, finance, or public
relations
Become an active member of the Friends of the Library