Librarian's Helper - Lewis & Clark Library System

Page10includes steps to evacuate the building.Advises the boardOne of the librarian’s major responsibilities is advising the library board concerning theneeds of the library. The librarian is responsible for keeping abreast of trends and informing theboard of their possible impact on library services.Develops administrative calendarThis calendar helps the librarian and library board remember the various, regularadministrative activities done by librarians and trustees. The calendar should be used in contextwith the Library Days and Dates to Remember developed by Phillip Lenzini for the Illinois LibrarySystems (http://www.ilsdo.org/se_daystoremember.html) and also the State Library’s granttime frames. Librarians should add their library’s budgeting time frame to this calendar. Asample calendar is in the Appendix. Appendix A is for municipal libraries and Appendix B is forlibrary districts.Recommends policies to the boardThe library board adopts the library’s policies. However, the librarian is responsible formaking the board aware of the need for a specific policy. Frequently the library board willrequest the librarian draft the actual policy for their action. The librarian should alsorecommend policy changes, as needed, to the board.Once the board has adopted a policy, the librarian implements the policy. This includesplacing copies of the new policy in the policy file for public inspection, training staff about thepolicy, and acting as arbitrator for questions concerning the policy.The librarian should read through all library policies at least once each year. This reviewis to determine if a revision is needed, a policy is no longer necessary, or if an additional policyneeds to be drafted. For more information on policies, see the Policy section later in thishandbook.Hires staffThe librarian is responsible for the interviewing, hiring and evaluation of individuallibrary staff. The library board is responsible for approving the creation of a needed position,not the hiring to fill that position. The board adopts the library’s job descriptions.Implements marketing programWhile the library board is responsible for the ongoing promotion of the Library, publicityis a joint effort between the board and a librarian and the staff. Public relations are part of thelibrary’s marketing plan, the most visible part. Traditionally libraries distribute bookmarks and