Checks and Balances

The most common areas of tension or conflict between a local government and a library happen around money (library budget), personnel, facilities, and board authority.

Some of this tension is inherent in the structure of the law. Montana Code gives most library boards a fair amount of authority and city councils and county commissions aren’t used to this power structure. They are used to advisory boards that focus on policy and services and leave budgets and personnel management to the city or county.

This tension exists because of

1. the recognition of the importance of spreading power over a wide range of individuals
2. the importance of not giving the most powerful local government body full control over what appears on a library’s shelves or in its programming
3. a need for checks and balances within government

To keep things in perspective, attending to these potential areas of tension will help your library serve the information, economic, workforce, and cultural needs of the community.  With balance and healthy relationships, it is exciting to think about the possible opportunities you will bring to your patrons.