• Main
• Introduction
• Chapter 1
• Chapter 2
• Chapter 3
• Chapter 4
• Chapter 5
• Chapter 6
• Chapter 7
• Chapter 8
• Chapter 9
• Chapter 10
• App. A
• App. B
• App. C
• App. D

THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR AND THE ADVISORY BOARD

The library board and the library director work as a team to achieve the highest quality library possible for their users. Although they work together for the same goals and objectives, each has separate responsibilities.

2.1 THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR

The library director is responsible for the organization, planning, direction, and administration of library services and activities to provide quality library service. The director works with the advisory board, as well as with other groups, to promote the library.

The library director's duties and responsibilities include:

• Meeting with the library board at regularly scheduled meetings
• Helping prepare the meeting agenda with the board chair
• Keeping the board informed of the activities, acquisitions, and new personnel of the library
• Informing the board regarding budget and financing implications
• Guiding the board with professional expertise
• Directing the care and maintenance of the library building and equipment
• Supervising the selection, training, and performance of the library staff v Preparing the annual budget proposal
• Overseeing the expenditures of the budget v Assuming the responsibility for the monthly and annual reports of library services and activities v Attending meetings, workshops, seminars, and conferences of organizations appropriate to the library and management fields
• Supervising the selection and processing of all library materials and equipment
• Keeping informed of library trends through professional reading

2.2 THE ADVISORY BOARD

The advisory board is appointed by the library's governing body to serve as a liaison between the library and its citizens. The board advises the library director and the governing body in matters related to the library and its services, and promotes the library and its programs.

The advisory board's duties and responsibilities include:

• Attending board meetings
• Acting in an advisory capacity to the governing body in matters that pertain to the library
• Receiving suggestions and recommendations from citizens relating to library service
• Referring complaints, compliments, and suggestions to the library director, who reports to an administrative official, who then reports to the governing body
• Knowing how the library is organized and functions
• Knowing the collection, the staff, and the activities of the library in order to communicate knowledgeably with citizens and with elected officials
• Recognizing that the library director and others on the staff are professionals in the field of librarianship and respecting their expertise
• Remembering that advising is not deciding; the board's role is to make recommendations to the governing body
• Acquiring an awareness of public library standards and library trends
• Becoming informed about state and national library laws and actively supporting state and national library legislation which would improve and extend library service
• Supporting intellectual freedom and the right to access in the public library

2.3 STIMULATING CITIZEN INPUT

In order to function as liaison between the library and its users, a library board member must know the attitudes of users and nonusers toward the library. One of the easiest ways to stimulate citizens' comments regarding the library is through normal social activities. Library board members tend to be active people who live, socialize, and participate in their communities. In conversation with others they can identify themselves as library board members and ask if the person they're talking to uses the library, and if not, then why not. If the person is a library user, the board member can ask questions concerning the person's experiences in the library--did the person get the information and materials they wanted; was staff courteous and helpful; was the library inviting; what suggestions, complaints, and compliments does the user have that the board member can refer to the library director? The board member who develops the habit of conducting this type of easy, informal survey can gain valuable insight into the attitudes of the community toward the library. This type of situation also provides an easy lead-in for the board member to promote library services and programs, or to explain some of the issues the library is confronting.

More formal methods of obtaining citizen input and attendance at meetings include posting copies of board meeting notices on public bulletin boards and submitting announcements of meetings to local newspapers, association newsletters, and organizations' bulletins for inclusion in their community events calendars. Occasionally, the library board may host a breakfast or an evening reception for targeted audiences, such as business people or teachers, in order to describe services and materials relevant to their interests. Following the library presentation, board members can field questions or discuss comments and suggestions, also providing a means for attendees to submit written comments. The event should always include an announcement concerning the schedule of board meetings and an invitation to attend. This type of activity not only elicits input, but it also lets citizens know that the library cares about them and strives to meet their needs.

These types of citizen input are usually pleasant and friendly, and they contribute to developing the library's service goals and objectives. They also provide the opportunity to discuss reasons why certain materials and services are not offered at the present time and to advocate for funding in order to provide them.

One form of citizen input that can be really trying to a library board, a library director, and staff is a challenge to materials or a demand to limit access to resources. This issue is closely tied to library policies and procedures, and will be covered in depth in Chapter 4 of this handbook.

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