“What do Trustees do?”  Trustee 101

NHLTA has compiled a package of materials for the newly elected trustee as an introduction to understanding their position: a description of the Library Trustee Board, Code of Ethics, Trustee Job Description and Qualifications, a chart identifying the delegation of responsibilities between the library director and the board, description of Friends of the Library, list of RSAs applicable to libraries and additional resources.

Protect Your Library

Adopt the following policies:

Censorship and Library Policies

Resources cited in the Winter 2022-23 newsletter article on page three titled, “Censorship Update – Practical Tips for Proactive Preparation” by Lori Fisher, Assistant Librarian, NH State Library:

“FIRST AMENDMENT” Audits: What Are They and How Do You Handle One?”
Excellent article in the NHMA July/August 2023 Town & City magazine.
LINK to the webinar available on NHMA Youtube.

Building Projects

Architects, Planners, Project Managers, Builders, etc. LIST

Management Materials

Management materials such as “Best Practices” and samples from other libraries are provided for trustee board use. Be aware that the contents have not passed any legal review

Memorandum Of Understanding (Mou)

Personnel

Governance

Funds Management:

NH RSA 202-A:11 authorized trustees to “Adopt bylaws, rules and regulations for its own transaction of business and for the government of the library.”

Bylaws
Bylaws define the governing and operational rules and procedures of the library and the trustee board. For example, typical bylaws would include election and terms of board officers, officer position descriptions, meeting schedule, templates for agenda and minutes. Bylaws should be reviewed on a regular basis to keep current with changing needs and statutes. Bylaws cannot override or be counter to existing laws. NHLTA recommends that byllaws be reviewed by an attorney to ensure compliance. Bylaws are a public document and should be available to the public. NHLTA has compiled a list of samples.

Personnel policies
Every library should have library-specific personnel policies that include employment position descriptions and classifications, conditions of work, benefits (including all leave and vacation policies), employment practices, and personnel processes (including paycheck distribution, discipline and grievance procedures). Personnel policies should be reviewed on a regular basis to keep current with changing needs and statutes. Personnel policies cannot override or be counter to existing laws. NHLTA recommends that personnel policies be reviewed by an attorney to ensure compliance. Personnel policies are a public document and should be available to the public.

Library policies
Library policies are set by the board to define library services and operations such as hours of operation, customer relations, staffing, employee conduct and other operational matters. Policies should be reviewed on a regular basis to keep current with changing needs and statutes. Policies cannot override or be counter to existing laws. NHLTA recommends that policies be reviewed by an attorney to ensure compliance. Policies are a public document and should be available to the public. NHLTA has compiled a recommended LIST of library policies.

Samples

Networking

Co-ops
Public libraries in New Hampshire are clustered into 11 library co-ops. These co-ops are a good source for finding neighboring library trustee boards to organize regional gatherings to network and share information, and talk about issues that are common to all trustees.

The following lists contain co-op and population information and can be downloaded. 

PDF files are opened using Adobe Acrobat Reader, available at Adobe’s web site.