Library network trustee roles, responsibilities topic of forum
Local grassroots group DART announced the next forum in its On-Point community education series. Titled “The Roles and Responsibilities of the Community Library Network Trustees,” the forum will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at the Harding Family Center in Coeur d’Alene.
DART is a nonpartisan group of community-minded citizens that seek to support informed voter decision-making through education and collaborative civil discourse.
“The May library board election is critical, and we’ve been hearing many questions about the work done by library trustees,” Nancy Jones, DART spokesperson, said. “With the help of the Community Library Network Alliance, we were able to put together a panel of individuals who have worked with and for Idaho libraries in very different ways. It should be a great event.”
The four panelists for the evening include CLN board Chair Katie Blank, former CLN trustee Bob Fish, Meridian Library District Director Nick Grove and Idaho Risk Management Professional Jim McNall. Questions will focus on the role of library trustees, how trustees interact with staff and affect library operations and how the decisions of trustees are tied to financial stability and risk management for library districts.
The League of Women Voters will also be at the event to offer voter registration and services. Any member of the public who would like to submit a question for consideration can email DARTCDA@gmail.com or visit clnalliance.org
“Ray Bradbury once said ‘Without libraries, what have we? We have no past and no future,’ a sentiment we share,” Jones said. “The decisions made by our library trustees determine not only the future of the library network but also help shape the culture of our communities. For this reason, our board felt it was important to help educate voters about the roles, responsibilities and restrictions that these trustees face. We hope this event will help them make an informed decision when they vote.”
The library trustee election is May 16.