Resignation creates library board opening

The resignation of board member Glen Seely has the Community Library Network seeking to fill a trustee vacancy.

Seely verbally resigned from the board on Aug. 23 after the budget was approved. The board accepted his resignation at its meeting last week.

Seely said he had concerns that the employee raises proposed were too much for a single budget year. The network has libraries in Hayden, Post Falls, Athol, Spirit Lake, Pinehurst, Rathdrum and Harrison.

The budget gives all district employees a 2 percent cost of living increase and most will receive raises of an additional 1 to 5 percent.

"I tried to reason with the board (with not as steep raises) based on what we're still experiencing in the community and nation," Seely said on Tuesday. "I couldn't be a part of (the board) any longer. The reason the salary increases were wanted was to be more competitive (with other libraries in the region), yet there's been almost no turnover in staff.

"I hope whoever takes my seat is a critical thinker who has great regard for both the libraries and the taxpayers."

Library administrators and some other board members said they believed the raises were warranted as the network performed an informal survey, asking what other library districts in the region pay. They say the increases bring the network closer to the market.

"How we constitute our organization and human resources to embrace change will determine our future success," the network said in a prepared statement.

The volunteer board position requires a willingness to represent the public interest in libraries and establish effective working relationships with community leaders, library staff and fellow trustees, according to library network staff. Trustees typically spend five to 10 hours per month on district business.

The term of Seely's seat runs through May 2015 and will be extended another four years, if the trustee seeks re-election and is elected. The board has five members.

The board meets from 2-5 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. It is moved occasionally depending on board members' schedules.

There may be special board meetings called. This year there have been five of them, most dealing with the budget.

Regular board meetings rotate between libraries at Athol, Harrison, Pinehurst, Rathdrum and Spirit Lake during favorable travel weather and alternate between Post Falls and Hayden during the remaining months. Special meetings are held in Post Falls or Hayden.

Prospective board members can live anywhere in the district- all of Kootenai County except Coeur d'Alene city limits.

Board packet materials are sent electronically and Internet access is a necessity. Those over the age of 18 may apply.

The Community Library Network employs 91 staff to serve 101,500 residents over 1,150 square miles in two counties. It oversees a budget of $4.8 million.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

For more information, visit communitylibrary.net/trustee or call Larry Almeida at 772-5612, ext. 112 or Anne Abrams at 773-1506, ext. 323.