Congratulations! You are a Public Library Trustee...Now What?

As you consider the ethical and legal responsibilities of a trustee, you may be wondering how you can get up to speed and gain understanding of what is needed to contribute to the work of your Board.  Here are some suggestions:

• Get to know the other people who serve on the Board with you - not just their names, but who they are. What are their interests and concerns? What motivates them to serve on the library Board? Team building begins by knowing your teammates.
• Get to know the director, the other part of the Board team. There must be a very high level of trust between the Board who governs the library and the person who manages the library.
• Recognize that this job deserves your very best effort. Although you are a volunteer, the governance of the library demands the best job you can do. It will require your time and your effort.
• Find out where to go for answers to your questions. Your best defense against being totally lost in the early stage of your term is to learn where to find quick answers to tough questions. The director and other Board members (past and present) are the best sources for learning about the library. 

Let's remember where we started with this course.

Public service is a commitment you have made in accepting appointment as a trustee.  In order to participate effectively, you are expected to 

In your position as a volunteer trustee, public service to libraries requires a commitment to these expectations in order to effectively advocate for your library with community partners and promote library services to the public.

There is no way around it! This is a big job that relies on a clear sense of responsibility, trust in your fellow trustees, and faith in the Library director to manage the library's operations.

Thank you for your commitment to public service as a Public Library Trustee!

Navigate to the Knowledge Check next before reviewing Useful Resources and completing the course evaluation.