MORRISON AND MARY WILEY LIBRARY DIVISION OF RESPONSIBLITIES BETWEEN LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND HEAD LIBRARIAN

3/5/07

Under the Illinois Public Library Law (75ILCS) the Elected Seven Person Library Board of Trustees is, among other functions, empowered to formulate “reasonable rules and regulations… in order to render the use of the library of the greatest benefit to the greatest number” and to “appoint a competent Head Librarian, to fix their compensation and to retain professional consultants as needed.” Thus, in defining and delineating the division of responsibility between the Library Board of Trustees and the Head Librarian, the Library Board of Trustees recognizes that the ultimate responsibility to the community to provide “the greatest benefit to the greatest number” rests with the Library Board of Trustees. Policy determination is the Library Board of Trustees’ power and duty. Management is the Head Librarian’s responsibility, for which he or she is responsible to the Library Board of Trustees. The division and sharing of these responsibilities fall into various categories.

Goals and Objectives for the Library

Library Board of Trustees Responsibility

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It shall be the duty of the Library Board of Trustees to determine the goals and objectives of the library and the methods of meeting them, to review the goals and objectives annually and to evaluate progress.

Head Librarian Responsibility

The Head Librarian shall provide assistance and direction in setting goals and objectives and in determining means of evaluation.

Joint Responsibility

The Library Board of Trustees shall relate the library and its program to the community and its needs through systematic study of the community and through systematic analysis of library service with the assistance of the Head Librarian, who shall participate fully and prepare regular reports on current progress and future needs.

Written Policies

Library Board of Trustees Responsibility

The Library Board of Trustees shall determine and adopt written policies to govern operation, use and programs of the library and shall adopt bylaws for Library Board of Trustees procedures.

Head Librarian Responsibility

The Head Librarian shall recommend needed policies to the Library Board of Trustees and supply samples and sources of information. The Head Librarian shall carry out the policies, as adopted by the Library Board of Trustees with recommendations and materials for study and administer the library within the framework of the library’s goals, objectives, policies and budget.

MORRISON AND MARY WILEY LIBRARY DIVISION OF RESPONSIBLITIES BETWEEN LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND HEAD LIBRARIAN (CONT.)

Joint Responsibility

Both the Library Board of Trustees and the Head Librarian shall know local, state and national laws which affect libraries and play an active role in initiating and supporting beneficial library legislation; shall participate fully in the library system and make use of the consultants of the Illinois State Library; shall attend regional, state, and national library association meetings and workshops when possible and join appropriate organizations working for improved libraries and shall study library publications.

Governance and Policy Making

Library Board of Trustees Responsibility

The Library Board of Trustees shall cooperate with other local government officials, keeping in mind the special legal responsibilities of a library board. Library Board of Trustees members shall attend all Library Board of Trustees meetings and committee meetings to which they are assigned and shall carry out all special assignments promptly.

Head Librarian Responsibility

The Head Librarian shall prepare all needed library reports to the government, the system and the Illinois State Library and shall provide copies to the Library Board of Trustees. The Head Librarian shall attend all Library Board of Trustees and committee meetings, except those meetings or parts of meetings in which the Library Director’s salary and tenure are discussed.

Financial Status of the Library

Library Board of Trustees Responsibility

The Library Board of Trustees shall keep aware of the financial status of the library.

Head Librarian Responsibility

The Head Librarian shall provide a report of budget status and expenditure at each Library Board of Trustees meeting. The Head Librarian shall supply facts and figures to the Library Board of Trustees to aid in interpreting the library’s financial need.

MORRISON AND MARY WILEY LIBRARY DIVISION OF RESPONSIBLITIES BETWEEN LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND HEAD LIBRARIAN (CONT.)

Joint Responsibility

The Head Librarian shall prepare two annual budgets in consultation with staff and Library Board of Trustees members; first, the appropriation ordinance form which anticipates the needs for the coming year and second, an operating budget, once the available revenues are determined. The Library Board of Trustees shall work with the Head Librarian to formulate these budgets, adequate to carry out the library’s goals and objectives, within any limitations of the state law.

Budget Presentation

Library Board of Trustees Responsibility

The Library Board of Trustees shall present the budget to the general public, shall explain and defend it, shall help to secure adequate funds, staff and services and shall explore all ways of increasing the library’s income through tapping other sources and taking advantage of all available means of cooperating with other libraries.

Head Librarian Responsibility

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The Head Librarian shall assist the Library Board of Trustees in cooperating with other libraries and shall call the Library Board of Trustees’ attention to ways of stretching the budget.

Joint Responsibility

The Head Librarian shall work with the Library Board of Trustees in interpreting budget and financial needs to public officials and the public. The Library Board of Trustees and the Head Librarian shall see that complete and accurate records concerning finances, personnel, property inventory and annual reports are on file at the library.