[Publib] Library Board Orientation

[Ray Arnett]

Lise and others,

I think all of the responses are excellent. I would just give a few
additional suggestions:

1 - try not to overwhelm them with paper. For instance, we used to give
every trustee a copy of the Library of Michigan's Library Laws Handbook ( a
one inch thick binder full of laws relating to libraries). When I asked
trustees that returned it following their service on the board, most stated
that they rarely used it. So, now I am planning to copy a few of the most
important laws and give it to trustees as a tabbed area in the Trustee
Handbook. The full handbook is available as a reference for me and for the
board as needed.

2 - don't feel like you have to do all of these at once. Last year, our
library trustee orientation was a very basic outline. This year, we expanded
it slightly.

3 - the most important thing is to help them understand the "burning" issues
at the time. There is time to go over some of the other things later.
However, they need background information on the decisions they need to make
in the next three months.

Hope this is helpful,

Ray Arnett (who still needs to add some areas to the trustee manual)
Fremont Area District Library

On Thu, Jul 24, 2008 at 3:39 PM, Mary Soucie <mjsoucie at wilmingtonlibrary.org>
wrote:

>  Lise,
> The Board President and I meet with all trustees before their first
> meeting. We go over the contents of the board packet. They are also given an
> orientation packet. Included in the packet is:
> current working budget
> schedule of ordinances
> overview of board responsibilities, governance and administration, IL
> public libraries responsibilities of boards and library directors
> a copy of our policy manual- this is updated each year for the board
> members
> Organizational chart
> board by-laws
> list of board members names and contact info
> process of a motion
> PLA service responses
> copy of our mission statement
> FOL brochure
> Board orientation info sheet that I've put together- includes board size,
> meetings, fiscal year, service area, board committees, library stats, list
> of staff positions, friends of the library, info on our  regional library
> system, IL State Library, funding, cards, hours and fees, our newsletter and
> an overview of services
> the annual stats from the preceding year
> history of the library
> boundaries
> a printout from the secretary of state's website called TIP (Trustee Info
> page) (in IL the SOS is the state librarian)
>
> We also have a document called the Trustee Facts File, developed by the
> Illinois Library Association. We copy portions of that to give to the new
> trustees.
>
> The Board President and I review these documents and then give a tour of
> the library. It's very beneficial. I don't electronic copies of some of the
> pieces of it. If you contact me offline, I'd be glad to have a copy of the
> whole thing sent. Last orientation was spring of '07 so some of the info's
> out of date.
>
> Good luck!
>
>
> Mary J. Soucie, MLIS
> Library Director
> Wilmington Public Library District
> Visit the world @ your library™
> 201 S Kankakee St
> Wilmington IL 60481
> (815) 476-2834
> mjsoucie at wilmingtonlibrary.org
>
>  *Wilmington Public Library District is committed to providing excellent
> comprehensive service to its community.*
>
>
>
>  ------------------------------
> *From:* publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:
> publib-bounces at webjunction.org] *On Behalf Of *Lise Chlebanowski
> *Sent:* Wednesday, July 23, 2008 6:03 PM
> *To:* publib at webjunction.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!
>
>
>
> Lisë Chlebanowski
>
> Library Manager
>
> Avondale Old Town Library
>
> 328 W. Western Ave.
>
> Avondale, AZ   85323
>
> 623-333-2611 D
>
> 623-333-0260 F
>
> lchlebanowski at avondale.org
>
>
>
> Now Reading: Confessions of a Contractor by Richard Murphey (ARC)
>
> Now Listening: The Confessions of Max Tivoli by Andrew Sean Greer
>
>
>
> ___________________________________________________
>
> Beginning June 2, our new City Hall hours are designed to serve you better and help the environment! Extended hours Monday through Thursday: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Closed on Friday. For more information, visit www.avondale.org.
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