LIBRARY BOARD

 

 

You can contact the Library Board to provide comments, concerns, or questions at the following address: 306 8th Avenue South, Clinton, IA 52732

 

The Library Board of Trustees is the governing and policy-setting body of a public library, in accordance with the Code of Iowa, Chapter 392, Section 392.5. The Board is composed of nine residents of the City of Clinton who are appointed by the Mayor. Appointments are for six years; terms are staggered. The Board of Trustees meet on the third Monday of each month at 5:15pm.  Meetings are open to the public.

Further information about organization, powers and duties, and contracts with other libraries can be found HERE.

Board of Trustees Bylaws

Meeting Minutes Agenda

For further information about applying, contact:
City Clerk's Office
clerk@cityofclintoniowa.us
(563) 244-3421

 

The Five Primary Responsibilities of Boards

 

Hiring the Library Director

The board hires a qualified person to manage the daily operations of the library, working with and in support of the director while mutually respecting each other’s roles. 

Approving and Monitoring the Budget 

Library boards typically have a great deal of authority over the library budget, including approving expenditures, and moving funds between line items.

Developing and Adopting Policies

Library boards must be mindful that they adopt public policy for a public service. They should take care to avoid writing policies that are reactionary or punitive. Instead, policy development should keep community interests at the forefront. Once adopted by the board, library staff work to carry out the policies and communicate them to patrons.

Planning for the Library’s Future

Planning is another important function of the board and should be approached as a continuous process. Planning leads boards to explore possibilities and opportunities, basing decisions on community input and packaging service in response to community needs.

Evaluating Service and Advocating for Advancements

The community puts its faith in the library board to make sure the library is operating within the public trust. The board helps determine whether the community is satisfied with library programming and services. One of the most effective ways to gauge satisfaction with library service is by evaluating the library director’s job performance. Note that trustees can also evaluate their own performance! In exercising this evaluation and advocacy role, boards are pushing for adequate funding, seeking technology advancements, fostering community relationships, and supporting the library staff in terms of salaries, benefits, and working conditions.

From the Iowa Library Trustee’s Handbook: 2021 Edition.