Board of Library Trustees

• Appointed by the Mayor and City Council.
• Serve three year terms.
• Make and enforce rules, regulations and bylaws necessary for the administration, government, and protection of the public library except for the power delegated to the personnel office.
• Meet the second Monday of every month in the Edna Clyne Room at 6:30 p.m. Meetings open to the public.

Board Members

BENICIA PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

BOARD MEMBER POSITION DESCRIPTION

Importance of Position:

The Benicia Public Library is a department of the City of Benicia. The Board of Library Trustees is an advisory board, providing stewardship for the City’s public library assets and services on behalf of all residents, ensuring adaptability to a diverse population and changing environment. On behalf of the citizens, advises the City Council on matters pertaining to the library, and advocates on the Library’s behalf. Ensures an ongoing flow of information between the Library, the community and the City Council. The Board’s authority is determined by both the State Education Code and the Benicia Municipal Code.

The Library Board is composed of five members, each appointed by the Mayor and City Council, for staggered three-year terms. All Board Members must be residents of the City. Board Members must attend monthly Board meetings, which are currently held on the second Monday of every month, and special meetings as needed. Board officers that are elected annually in January are the President and the President Pro-tem. The Board appoints the Secretary.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the library’s importance and its role in the community
• Willingness to invest time and effort in their duties
• Ability to listen and work well with others
• Tested leadership skills in business, education or community
• Enthusiasm, intellectual curiosity, good judgement and creativity
• Understanding of, and commitment to, the stewardship role of the Board
• Demonstrated support for freedom of access, both physical and intellectual

Responsibilities:

1. Attend regular board meetings, trainings and retreats, in an effort to understand the functions of librarianship (public services, technical services, administrative services, and technology) as well as issues and challenges facing libraries in general, and the Benicia Public Library in particular. Read materials in advance, ask questions, and make informed recommendations.
2. Become familiar with the legal and regulatory environment that governs library and Library Board operations, including, but not limited to, the Board’s by-laws, the Brown Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and confidentiality requirements.
3. Gain familiarity with the budgeting process. Review monthly and annual financial statements. Become familiar with physical plant needs and resources, and ensure that plans for plant maintenance and capital improvement are in place.
4. Ensure and participate in long range planning for the Library to ensure all segments of our community are assessed and considered. Ensure that all policies developed and recommended by the Board are consistent with the approved plan.
5. Serve as an active member of a working committee of the Board.
6. Act as an advocate for legislation and funding that will help to meet with identified needs of the community and the Library.

The Library Director is responsible for keeping both the City Manager and the Library Board informed concerning issues of City government and library activities. The Library Director meets with the City Manager on a regular basis, attends all department head staff meetings, and City Council meetings as needed. The City Manager meets with the Library Board as needed, and study sessions with the Library Board and the City Council are held as needed.

Training:

Orientation to the Library and Library Board structure at the beginning of service term will address responsibilities delineated above. Ongoing training updates will be provided as needed, but not less than annually.

Time:

Monthly Board meetings, training and/or planning events, and reading/preparation time estimated at 8 hours per month.

Application:

In order to apply for a position on the Library Board, interested applicants should submit a Commission Application, which can be obtained from the City Clerk, with an attached resume of qualifications and interest statement. All applicants are interviewed by the Mayor. The position is an appointment made by the Mayor and voted on by the full City Council. Normally, Board Members are appointed for three-year terms, but, if the new Board Member is a replacement for an empty seat, the term will be that of the original seat, which may be less.

Adopted: May 23, 1988

Revised: December 21, 1992

Revised: June 11, 2001

update 8/23/07