Director Resources

The roles and responsibilities of Board members depends on the type of board your library has. The following guides will give an overview of how to work together specific to your type of library board.

Public Library Trustee Orientation

Identifying a new board member is only the first step in what you hope will be a mutually rewarding relationship. Whether orientation of your new board member is approached informally, or formally, be sure to include the basics needed for new board members to become engaged in the work of the board right away, and to serve as a committed ambassador and advocate for your library’s mission and vision for a long time to come.

Steps to ensure a positive experience for your new Trustee:

1. Create an Orientation Resources (packet or notebook, etc.) that includes:
   1. Legal document outlining powers and duties of the Library Board.  (This could be a local ordinance or code, a regional or interlocal agreement or contract.)
   2. Board Bylaws
   3. Meeting Schedule
   4. Recent Agenda
   5. Recent Board Minutes
   6. Contact information and terms of office for Library Board Members, Friends Board Members, and other boards, such as Endowment or Foundation Boards
   7. Library Organization Chart and staff roster with positions
   8. Library Policies
   9. Library History
   10. Most current statistical report for Library and any other evaluative materials
   11. Long Range Plan document including vision and mission statements
   12. Adopted Budget and most recent Audit Report
   13. Current library promotional materials
   14. Trustee Resources provided by State Library, including NC Trustee manual, online orientation course and Working Together Charts.
   15. Trustee Pocket Handbook from State Library (contact State Library for copies)
   16. State Laws regarding public libraries (NCGS 153A, Article 14) and regional libraries, if applicable (NCGS 160A, Article 20, Part 1).
2. Meet with new Trustee prior to first meeting to review Orientation Resources and provide an opportunity to discuss:
   1. How library is run
   2. Relationship with local government and other community institutions such as schools, non-profits, colleges/universities
   3. Library Director’s vision for future of the library
   4. Ask board member what they are most interested in while serving on the board
   5. How Board meetings are run and who to contact with questions
3. Provide trustee with tour of the Library and introduce staff.
4. At the first board meeting:
   1. Have name tags and/or tent cards to identify each person attending the meeting
   2. Have Board Chair welcome new trustee and ask them to share about themselves
   3. Consider appointing a veteran board member to serve as mentor for new Trustee during their first year of service

Beyond Orientation

Society expects so much from our volunteer board members – in turn we need to thoughtfully prepare and support them. Rarely do new members arrive on the board with years of experience.  They may only have a passing familiarity with the library and what is all about, but lots of passion for the mission of your organization.  

Consequently, finding ways to educate all your board members on a regular basis about their important role, as well as about issues that impact the environment in which the library operates, are high priority activities that promote ongoing board engagement.

Printable Trustee Orientation Steps

Governing Boards

Printable Governing Boards Guidelines

Advisory Boards

Printable Advisory Boards Guidelines

CE Calendar

The CE Calendar lists all upcoming training sponsored by the State Library, NC Live as well as many other organizations. 

ABLE Course 12: Ethics and Public Service

This course from the Idaho Commission for Libraries focuses on ethics and public service divided into six sections including links and a self-evaluation test. Course takes approximately 2 hours to complete.

Competency Index for the Library Field

Competencies for libraries Webjunction resources to assist with building foundation of knowledge, skills and attitudes for U.S. public libraries.

Librarian's Disaster Planning and Community Resiliency Guidebook and Workbook

Resources to help libraries to be better prepared to accept the new mantle of responsibility being thrust on them as a safe haven in times of crises. This resource is provided by the NJ State Library.

The First Year: 5 Strategies for Success

Jamie LaRue shares with library directors how to manage five key relationships during the first year: boss, staff, community, profession, and yourself.

Below are statutes and administrative codes that apply to libraries:

1. a. North Carolina General Statute 125, Articles 1-3. State Library Agency
2. b. North Carolina General Statute 153A, Article 14: Libraries (formation of public libraries)
3. c. North Carolina Section .0200 State Aid to Public Libraries
4. d. North Carolina Section .0300 Organization of Regional Libraries
5. e. North Carolina General Statute 143-318.9-18 Article 33C. Meetings of Public Bodies (Open Meeting Law)
6. f. NCGS 160A Article 20 Part 1- Interlocal Cooperation

• American Library Association
• CORE: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures
• United for Libraries (Trustee, Friends, and Foundations)
• Public Library Association
• Association for Rural and Small Libraries
• North Carolina Library Association
• North Carolina Public Library Directors Association