1. Library Governance

2. OK… To begin with… T There are the laws that pertain to public libraries...

3. –5 different kinds of libraries County Free Public Libraries 3375.06 County District 3375.19 Municipal 3375.12 School District 3375.15 Township 3375.09 Association Ohio Revised Code Section 3375 Some highlights...

4. –Service area is entire county. –Receive all the LLGSF for that county –6 board members appointed by county commission –Tax authority…county commission County Libraries.…

5. –Service district is everywhere except within the boundaries of any other library. –Receive just part of the LLGSF…but often the most. –7 board members appointed 3 by common pleas judge, 4 by county commissioners –Tax authority - County commissioners County District Libraries...

6. –Service district is within the boundaries of the school district. –Receive just part of the LLGSF… –7 board members appointed by local board of education –Tax authority - Board of Education School District Libraries...

7. –Service district is within the boundaries of the municipality. –Receive just part of the LLGSF… –6 board members appointed by the mayor –Tax authority - City Council Municipal Libraries...

8. –Service district is within the borders of the township. –Receive just part of the LLGSF…complete with other libraries –3 board members appointed by the township trustees –Tax authority - Township Trustees Township Libraries...

9. –Service district is usually within the boundaries of the community the association was formed in. –Receive just part of the LLGSF… –Board members are apponted or elected in accordance with association articles of each indiviual association. –Tax athority - County Commission Association Libraries...

10. All these libraries are run by a library director.... A Clerk Treasurer.... And a Library Board....

11. The Library...A Vital Link to the Community…That Is Much Like A Business Taxpayers are stockholders Patrons are customers Staff are employees County budget commisiion is the banker Board has responsibility to all four groups… Taxpayers… expect their money to be spent in a judicious manner Patrons… want servcie that meets needs & is delivered effectiviely & efficiently Employees… need enough staff to get the job done, want to be well managed & competitively paid Budget commission… wants assurance that there is a plan for current & future use of library funds

12. How do we do this??!!

13. Role of the Library Board To see that the library is operated in an efficient & productive manner. Under the administrate guidance of the director…hired by the board HIRING AN ABLE ADMINISTRATOR IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT DUTIES OF THE BOARD The board expresses views in the policies it adopts The board is a prime advocacy group…before the budget commission, state legislature, civic & cultural organizations, & the general public

14. Legal Counsel … In Ohio…the county prosecutor is the legal counsel for public libraries… except when one library in a county is against another library in the same county.. Setting Policy… One of the primary responsibilities of a board. Meetings… Regular meetings held on a pre-determined schedule…usually monthly & in the by-laws Special meetings held separate from the regular meetings…also in the bylaws. Executuve sessions are held to descuss matters of a confidential nature… personnel, real estate, etc.

15. The Trustees and the Director The relationship between the library board and the director is a partnership. The director is charged with administering or managing the library on a daily basis. It is the director's responsibility to exercise professional judgement about the library's operations and procedures. Trustees represent the public in the governing of the library. The trustees are responsible for evaluating services, establishing policies, & setting goals & objectives to be implemented by the director and staff. Trustees develop the plans & policies which guide the library's operation, but they do not operate the library. Ideally, the relationship of the director & trustees is cooperative and complementary. They treat one another with respect, communicate carefully, & act on the basis of mutual understanding.

16. Any Questions...