Building a strong library board does not happen by accident. It takes time, patience, knowledge and team effort.
Have a recruitment plan
- Assess the strengths and weaknesses of current members. Identify skills and attributes desirable for new members.
- Target recruitment. Seek broad community representation.
- Solicit recommendations from community leaders.
- Advertise in local media and post notices in the library.(Sample job description)
- Maintain an ongoing file of individuals who express and interest in the library.
- Interview potential candidates and invite them to attend board meetings.
Help members get on board
- Provide an orientation program as soon as possible for new appointees.
- Provide a trustee manual or notebook with pertinent background information and space to file future documents.
- Provide a tour of the library and introduce staff to the board.
- Provide public recognition by announcing appointments in the media.
- Submit information about new appointments to the appropriate Utah State Library staff to add to the web site and database.
Work as a team:
Effective teamwork is characterized by:
- Trust and cooperation
- Open communication
- group problem-solving
- Clear expectations about roles and responsibilities
A team is a group of willing and trained individuals who are:
- United around a common goal
- Depending on each other to achieve it
- Structured to work together
- Sharing responsibility for their task
- Empowered to implement decisions
(Sandy Pokras, Rapid Team Deployment, p.3)