Town of South Hadley, MA Article II Duties and Responsibilities

§ 335-8 Authority and jurisdiction.

The Board is the governing body of the South Hadley Public Library. As such, the Board has legal responsibility for the custody and management of the library and its property; for the appointment of its Director; for securing adequate funding; and for determining library policies. The leadership and direction provided by the Board have a major impact on the effectiveness of library services to the community. To ensure this effectiveness, the Board must operate from a perspective that is objective and broad. It must refrain from involving itself in the internal operations of the library.

§ 335-9 Board duties and responsibilities.

The Board shall:

A. Employ a Library Director who is qualified to direct and manage library services; advises the Board on library matters; and administers policies without direct Board involvement and consistent with Town of South Hadley policies.

B. Participate with the Director in the development of goals, objectives and long-range plans to enhance the library's service to the community.

C. Establish written policies to facilitate management of the library by the Director. Policies will cover, but not be limited to, such areas as personnel management consistent with Town of South Hadley collective bargaining agreements, material selections, and public use of the library facilities.

D. Establish written policies for governing the Director's job performance and encourage the Town of South Hadley Human Resource Officer to periodically re-evaluate the Director's job classification and description of duties.

E. Ensure adequate funding for the operation of the library by presenting and defending budgets before the appropriate Town officials at designated times.

F. Represent the library before municipal boards and other official groups as required.

G. Establish rules governing Board meetings.

H. Adopt a Code of Ethics demanding integrity, honor and commitment in performance of the duties of library Trustees as outlined in Article III.

I. Conduct an annual inspection of the building and grounds to determine if repairs or corrective measures are warranted.

J. Evaluate the performance of the Director on an annual basis.

K. The Board may, for purposes of improving the service of said library, enter into an agreement with the Board of any neighboring library, network or state agency to pay for services in common; such payments to be shared in accordance with the terms of such agreement.

§ 335-10 Trustees duties and responsibilities.

Trustees shall:

A. Attend and participate actively in all Board meetings.

B. Demonstrate an appreciation of and commitment to library services of the highest quality.

C. Recognize the importance of the library as a center of information, recreation, education, programming, and service to the community.

D. Recognize and respect the distinction between the roles of the Director and the Board, particularly in matters of material selection, personnel appointment and supervision; and budget management and expenditures.

E. Delegate operating details, administration, implementation of policy and the general running of the library to the Library Director.

F. Recognize that no individuals have the authority to make decisions or act for the Board unless specifically authorized to do so by official vote of the Board.

G. Recognize that no individual, including the Chair, may levy demands or requirements upon the Director or staff members without the expressed approval of the Board.

H. Refrain from making public statements designed to circumvent the decisions of the Board. Accept majority rule graciously.

I. Adhere faithfully to the South Hadley Public Library Board of Trustee Code of Ethics and the Code of Ethics of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

J. Endorse the American Library Association Code of Ethics for Librarians.