Library Board

Gilmore City Board of Trustees

Tracy Schriber, President
Brenda Benjamin, Vice President
 Angie Kritzer, Treasurer 
Jan Neel, Board Member
Marilyn Stein, Board Member
 

 

 

The Library Board of Trustees holds regular meetings on the last Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Gilmore City Public Library, 308 S. Gilmore St., Gilmore City, Iowa. The public is welcome to attend.

 

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    Public Library Boards: Five Primary Roles

    Advocate for the Library and the Community
    Library board members serve as advocates for both the library and the community. Advocacy involves working to strengthen library services and ensure they meet community needs. This includes seeking adequate funding, building relationships with community groups, becoming familiar with the mayor and city council, and ensuring that community interests and priorities guide board decisions.

    Plan for the Future of the Library
    Planning is one of the most important responsibilities entrusted to the library board by the community. Effective planning determines the direction of library services over the coming years. Through thoughtful planning, the board takes an active role in shaping the library’s future and ensuring it remains responsive to the changing needs of the community.

    Monitor and Evaluate Library Effectiveness
    The community relies on the library board to ensure the library operates responsibly and effectively. The board maintains an understanding of the library’s budget, including revenue sources and expenditures. Board members review monthly financial reports, approve bills for payment, and help assess whether library services are meeting community expectations.

    Establish Library Policies
    The library board is responsible for developing and overseeing library policies. Policies are carefully designed, broadly stated, written guidelines that direct library actions and decision-making. Once policies are formally adopted by the board, library staff are responsible for implementing them in day-to-day operations. The board regularly reviews policies to ensure they remain effective and relevant.

    Hire and Evaluate the Library Director
    The library board hires a qualified library director to manage the daily operations of the library. The board works collaboratively with the director while clearly respecting the distinction between governance and administration. The board also conducts regular evaluations of the director to ensure effective leadership and service in the best interest of the community.