Checklist For Effective Library Trustees

• Be active and informed about library matters in general and of those affecting your library. Ask questions of the director and study the issues.
• Attend all board meetings and be fully prepared to participate knowledgeably.
• Question issues until you understand. Don’t be reluctant to vote no on a proposal you don’t understand or are uncomfortable about.
• Be a team player and treat your fellow board members with respect.
• Support board decisions even if you disagree. A democracy works by the rule of the majority. Seek reconsideration in the future if circumstances change.
• Understand the roles of all involved – the board, director, staff, Friends, patrons, etc.
• Conflicts of interest by any board member are the concern of all members of the board. A trustee or family member may not receive any gain, tangible or intangible, in dealing with the library.
• Advocate for the library in every manner possible.
• Support competitive salaries in order to attract and retain qualified staff.
• Appropriate compensation is a direct measure of the commitment and respect a community has for the institution and its staff.
• Understand and respect the role of the director and support the director’s administrative decisions.
• Always remember that your job is to provide the highest quality library service possible for your community.