Library Board

Library Board Members:
Gary Ervin - President
Sandra Richardson
Gene Esser
Helen Knauss
Carol Sears

Public Library Boards in Iowa have five primary roles:

1. Advocate for the library in the community and advocate for the community as a member of the library board. To be a library advocate is to work for the betterment of library services for the community. Advocacy includes working to obtain adequate funding for the library; pursuing opportunities to meet and speak with community groups; getting to know the mayor and city council; making sure the community’s needs and interests are paramount when making board decisions.

2. Plan for the future of the library. Planning is deciding what is going to happen with library services over the next few years. It is taking charge of the library’s future and creating it to be responsive to what the community needs.

3. Monitor and evaluate the overall effectiveness of the library to make sure the library is operating the way it should. For example, the board approves the bills so they can be paid. The board also helps determine whether the community is satisfied with the service received from the library.

4. Set library policies. (Policy is a carefully designed, broadly stated, written guideline for actions and decisions of the library.) Once adopted by the board, library staff carries out the policies on a day-to-day basis.

5. Hire and evaluate the library director. The board hires a qualified director to manage the day-to-day operations of the library and works with the director, carefully respecting each other’s roles. The board also regularly evaluates the director to make sure the library operates well and in the best interest of those the library serves.

Logan Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes