about the board

Under the Pennsylvania Public Library Code, the library board is required to be appointed by the municipality and to govern the library. The board has five primary roles:

Advocate for the library in the community and advocate for the community. To be a library advocate is to work to make sure the community has the best possible library service including working to obtain adequate funding for the library.

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.

Monitor and evaluate the overall effectiveness of the library. The community puts its trust in the library board to make sure the library is operating the way it should. The board monitors monthly financial reports and approves the bills so they can be paid. The board also helps determine whether the community is satisfied with library service.

Adopt library policies. Policy is a carefully designed, broadly stated, written guideline for actions and decision of the library.  The library board spends much of its time on policy issues - developing policies and monitoring the effectiveness of those policies. Once adopted by the board, library staff carries out the policies on a day-to-day basis.

Hire and evaluate the library director. The board hires a qualified director to manage the day-to-day operations of the library. The board also regularly evaluates the director to make sure the library operates well and in the best interest of those the library serves.