Administration & Governance

Board of Trustees

• Earns the public trust by representing all members of the community, ensuring effective stewardship of public funds, and supporting the vitality of the library within the community. 
• Complies with all relevant laws, including the Colorado public library statute specific to the Powers and duties of the board of trustees, C.R.S. § 24-90-109.
• Adopts and uses bylaws that outline the library board’s purpose, roles, and operational procedures. The library board of trustees reviews bylaws at least every three years. Library Districts: Submit updated bylaws to the Colorado State Library as required by law, C.R.S. § 24-90-109(1)(a).
• Convenes regular, open board meetings in compliance with the Colorado Open Meetings ("Sunshine") law, C.R.S. §§ 24-6-401 & 402. The library director or a designee is present at all board meetings. Agendas are posted publicly in advance and written minutes are available to the public.
• Plans for and implements procedures for public transparency with all communications. Provides access to public records in compliance with Colorado Open Records Act (CORA). C.R.S. §§ 24-72-201 – 24-72-205.5.
• Represents the needs, interests, and aspirations of all residents in the community when guiding library policies, strategic planning, and other board responsibilities.
• Hires and supervises the library director, according to a written job description. (Municipal, County, Other Libraries: This responsibility may vary locally as outlined in a written charter or intragovernmental agreement of the local governing authority.)
  • Supervision includes developing and monitoring performance expectations for the library director and library that are then used in annual performance reviews.
  • Selects and supports the director that has or may earn a master’s degree in library and information science (MLIS), public administration, business administration, and/or other related education, equivalent experience, and comparable skills to effectively direct all aspects of library operations.
  • Supports the Director in professional development.
  • Defers to the library director on all aspects of library operations, including the responsibilities for library staff supervision, collections, programs, and services.
• Secures adequate funding and practices responsible fiscal management of the public money, including oversight of financial management of the budget in alignment with the library’s strategic plan, local, state, and federal laws, and local agreements. See also the Budget and Fiscal Standard for specific requirements and details.
• Enacts policies to ensure that all residents of the library service area have access to tax-supported public library services. Reviews and revises policies regularly based on local protocol and approves new policies. When necessary, use equity impact analysis and other assessments to ensure fidelity with the core values of the library profession. (Municipal, County, Other Libraries: The policy responsibilities may vary locally as outlined in a written charter or intragovernmental agreement of the local governing authority.)
• Oversees all library property, including building(s), grounds, land purchases, contracts, etc. (Municipal, County, Other Libraries: This responsibility may vary locally as outlined in a written charter or intragovernmental agreement of the local governing authority.)
• Publishes an annual report and submits required data to the local government and the Colorado State Library in accordance with C.R.S. § 24-90-109(2) & (2.5). Distributes reports to community leaders, partners, and the public for additional transparency.
• Sets at least one annual goal for the board’s continuing education and performance in alignment with the library’s strategic plan and annually reviews the board’s performance.
• Integrates annual board continuing education and performance related to the values and ethics of the library profession.

Library Director

• Liaise between the governing authority and library staff, including communicating priorities to staff and sharing significant staff concerns that may inform governing decisions.
• Prepares and presents regular reports, budget updates, and recommendations to the library’s board of trustees/governing authority.
• Hires and supervises library staff members who are representative of local community demographics.
• Manages the library daily by planning, organizing, and directing building and grounds maintenance, technology, collections, services, and programs for all people in the community.
• Upholds (with the help of staff) written policies and procedures for the library, including supervision, operations, fiscal matters, and services (See resources for library policies examples.)
• Writes and oversees procedures that align with policies and library professional ethics. Regularly reviews and revises policies and procedures, recommending new policies to the board when necessary. Ensures staff are trained to implement all policies and procedures.
• Maintains written emergency procedures, risk management plans, and other guidance for continuity of library operations.
• Attends professional development to gain resources, skills, and strategies to improve the library. Participates annually in at least one regional, state, and/or other workshops and brings back ideas to implement that benefit library services to the community.
• Is a member of local organizations, especially those undertaking community priorities that align with the library’s mission.
• Is a member of one or more library associations to support professional development.

Board of Trustees & Director                                          

• Develop a strategic plan for the future of the library with attention to sustainability and strengthening the community. (See the Evaluation and Planning Standard for more detail).
• Recruit qualified candidates for library board openings that reflect the demographics of the population served by the library. Uses state requirements (C.R.S. § 24-90-108) to coordinate appointments made by the local leadership.
• Orient and onboard new library board members with fidelity.
• Ensure public trust through transparent communications, public reports, and frequent communications with the community.
• Meet with elected officials, community leaders, and other stakeholders to share library impact stories and needs and gain information on other local organizations and community priorities. Convey the library’s value to position the library as a vital community hub.
• Administer the library in accordance with state and local codes and ordinances, including Colorado Library Law, C.R.S. § 24-90-109.
• Comply with federal and state laws applicable to libraries, including but not limited to the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, Privacy of User Records (C.R.S. § 24-90-119), Colorado data security laws for government entities (C.R.S. §§ 24-73-101 – 24-73-103), Internet Protection in Public Libraries (C.R.S. § 24-90-601, et seq.), and the Science of Reading (C.R.S. § 24-90-121).
• Library Districts: Maintain adequate insurance covering property, cyber security, and other liability. Comply with legal requirements for records retention, contracts, budgeting, etc.