Library Board

A Library Board of Trustees is a group of citizens responsible for the governing of a public library. Board members are the vital link between the library and its community. Trustees serve as library advocates and leaders in developing responsible and creative service to all members of the public. Public Library Trustees are volunteers who serve their community with no financial compensation.

The Agnes Robinson Waterloo Public Library Board shall consist of five (5) regular members and one (1) alternate member appointed by the Village Board with the Library Board and Director’s recommendation.

Regular members are appointed for three (3) year terms, and may be considered to serve again after being off the board for one year. The alternate member shall be appointed to a one-year term and shall participate in board discussions, committees, and activities as a non-voting member except when a member of the board is absent: at which time the alternate shall have full voting privileges. Alternate members shall not assume the role of the President or Vice President. The alternate provides consistency in membership should a board member be absent, resign or complete a term. When a vacancy occurs the alternate is appointed to the board if that person is interested in the vacancy and is willing to assume responsibilities as a board member. Any three voting members of the Library Board shall constitute a quorum.

Any member desiring to resign from the Library Board shall submit his/her resignation in writing to the Director or Board President who shall present it to the Village Board. A list of current Board Members shall be provided to the Nebraska Library Commission and they shall be notified of any changes in membership.

Board members shall be a current Library user and have a strong desire to preserve and promote the Library. A member shall be knowledgeable of the Agnes Robinson Waterloo Public Library policies and laws affecting libraries.

The Agnes Robinson Waterloo Public Library Board of Trustees is an “Administrative” or “Governing” Board and carries full responsibility for the Library and its policies. For example the Library Board is responsible for appointing a librarian and assistants, fixing the compensation of such appointees, and removal of such appointees as they deem necessary. The Library Board may establish rules and regulations for the government of the library as deemed necessary for its preservation and to maintain its usefulness and efficiency. (Pursuant to Nebraska Statute 51-211)

The Library Board of Trustees is responsible for the evaluation of the Library Director. The Director serves as chief administrator and is fully responsible for administering library policy, personnel selection and management, development and administration of programs and services, and selection of materials in a professional manner.

It is a violation of sound administrative standards when the Director independently changes or fails to follow established policies or when the Library Board, or member of the Library Board, engages in direct management of the Library.

Officers

Election of officers shall be held at the November meeting. This shall be called the “annual” or “organizational” meeting. Nominations shall be taken from the floor. Each member of the Library Board may serve a three year term. Upon being off the board for one year, they may serve another term. Officers may hold the same office for each of those terms upon being voted back in that position.

Officers include, President, Vice President and Secretary. The principal duties of the President shall be to preside at the regular and special meetings of the board, to have leadership, supervision and management qualities, and to perform such other duties as may be designated by the board.

The Vice-president shall discharge the duties of the President in the event of absence, or of a vacancy in that office, and in addition, assume any other duties as designated by the board.

The Secretary shall record all minutes of the meeting, by writing and/or digitally recording the meeting and make available a copy to the Director before the next meeting to be included in the information for the Board Members.

Meetings

Regular meetings of the Library Board will be held in January, March, May, July, September and November on the second Monday of every other month at 6:00 p.m. in the Library Meeting Room. Notice of the meeting shall be posted in at least one public place. An alternate date may be called by the Library Board President and/or the Director. Members will be expected to attend all meetings, with the exception of illness or other valid reason. Members should notify the Director if unable to attend a meeting as soon as possible. Meetings may be canceled or re-scheduled by the Board President and/or Director if a quorum is not available. Special meetings may be called by the President and/or Director at any time deemed advisable or necessary. Attention will be given at the beginning of each meeting by the President or acting President to the Open Meetings Act posted on the wall.

The Director shall prepare an agenda for the meetings which will be made available at the Library. A quorum at any meeting shall consist of three voting Library Members, and may include two members and the alternate in the absence of a voting member.

Meetings shall consist of, but not be limited to the Director’s report and financial report, review and revisions of By-laws, goals, objectives and Library policies shall be jointly conducted by the Library Board and the Director throughout the year, and budgetary plans will be developed and reviewed by the Director and the Library Board on an on-going basis with an annual review in September.

Approved by the Agnes Robinson Waterloo Public Library Board of Trustees on February 13, 2017.