THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR'S ROLE IN BOARD MEETINGS

THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR'S ROLE IN BOARD MEETINGS

Boards need complete and reliable information as they are expected to make recommendations, to identify and cope with problems, and to plan and promote library services. Trustees supply ideas from community contacts, while the library supplies background and facts on which decisions are made. The board often expects the library director to:

• supply such data as the board needs to be completely informed about the library's status and activities. Routine figures like circulation data and financial records should be standardized in format, presented promptly, and interpreted by the library director;

• raise questions and expose problems as soon as they arise so that the board can work on solutions;

• provide background facts and figures for making recommendations;

• be honest about the library's successes and failures;

• make the board aware of trustee workshops provided by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, WMRLS, and other organizations so board members can take advantage of opportunities which contribute to a more knowledgeable, better board;

• make the board members the best informed people in the community on what the library is doing and what it could do;

• propose policies;

• ask the trustees to serve as community representatives in gathering information on what users think, what needs are not being met, and how well the library is performing.