Thank Your Trustees if....

Remember to let your library trustees know you appreciate them if:

• They actually use the library (bonus points if they know how to use the library)
• Can speak to anyone on a moment's notice about the services you provide
• Advocate for the library on a regular basis
• Understand that their position requires more than a couple hours a month in a boardroom
• Do not use their position to further their political agendas outside the library
• Attend board meetings
• Have so much as a basic understanding of library trends and practices
• Do not expect special services not provided to other users
• Appreciate input and ideas from staff, at all levels
• Takes advantage of continuing education or training opportunities at least once a year

In fact, I'd go so far as to say you are blessed if you have trustees who do more than two or three of the above.  What do you think makes for a good board member?  The Association for Library Trustees and Advocates (ALTA) has an Ethics Statement for trustees, and here's a Trustee Report Card.

Comments

[rochelle]

Excellent, Ivan! I'd add that they should be able to know how to open the box in the first place. But don't given them any sharp implements to do it with. Someone could get hurt.

[Ivan Chew]

Great succinct post. OK, how about this... "Do not presume to give suggestions on out-of-the-box thinking without first understanding what's in the box"? :)