Librarian's Helper - Lewis & Clark Library System

Page13BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES AND CONCERNSIntroductionIf the librarian is the CEO of the library, the trustees are the board of directors,answerable to the patrons, voters, and residents. The board is expected to know everythingabout libraries, keeping their library vital. In Illinois, library board members volunteer theirtime; they are not compensated for their work. Most trustees have a life-time interest in bothlibraries and public service, wanting to give back to their community.TrusteesIllinois public libraries may have 7 or 9 board members, depending on the type oflibrary. Read the Illinois Compiled Statutes (75 ILCS 5/4-1 to 5/4-4 and 75 ILCS 16/30-5 through16/30-25) for specific information on board make-up. The make-up of the library board reflectsthe community and its interests.Library district board members are elected, but municipal libraries may have appointed(city) or elected library boards (village and township).Appointed TrusteesIn Illinois, cities and villages under commission form of government have appointedlibrary boards. In the case of cities, the mayor appoints, with the approval of the city council,the library board. In the case of commission villages, the village council appoints the libraryboard. The appointments must be made by 1 July of any year.Elected TrusteesLibrary districts, non-commission form of villages, and township libraries have electedlibrary boards. Elected trustees must circulate a nominating petition, filing the petition with theappropriate office within the filing date. Trustee elections are held in odd numbered years:2009, 2011, 2013, etc. The Illinois State Board of Elections and County Board of Electionsprovide the specific filing dates for library trustee elections. Visit the State site atwww.elections.state.il.us for additional information.Board termsTrustees normally serve a three (3) year term on the library board. However, somevillage libraries may have four (4) year terms. Library districts may have four (4) year terms orsix (6) year terms. Library board members have rotating terms, so the board is never completelynew.In the case of library districts, the individual trustee’s term begins the first Monday ofthe month following their election.In all types of local libraries, the board member remains on the board until their