[Publib] RE: Publib Digest, Vol 40, Issue 27

[Christopher F. Bowen]

Hi Lise,

The Board President and I meet with new trustees. The orientation is pretty much as others have suggested. However I do always ask the Board President to talk about "Who speaks for the library." This includes who represents the library during a crisis or potentially controversial episode, but we also talk about how a trustee might deal with a friend or neighbor who comes to him to complain about (or compliment) the library.

Several trustees have commented that this was the most helpful part of the orientation, particularly in their early days on the Board.

Christopher

Christopher F. Bowen
Library Director
Downers Grove Public Library
1050 Curtiss Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515-4606
630-963-2595


-----Original Message-----

From: "Lise Chlebanowski" <lchlebanowski at avondale.org>
Subject: [Publib] Library Board Orientation

Dear Collective Brain,

I appeal to your wisdom yet again! We have a newly appointed Library Board Member coming on board next month. I was wondering what other Directors do to orient their new board members. I was thinking of putting together a little FAQ of some sort, but thought I would ask around first. Of course, I would assume covering the by-laws, library ethics and philosophy, history of the library, introduction to current board members, facts about the library (circulation numbers, staff, collection, etc.) Can anyone think of other things, or does someone have something all polished up that they would be willing to share? Thanks in advance for what I know will be fantastic ideas and advice!



Lis? Chlebanowski