HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001/12/01 - Agenda Packet - Library Board of Trustees - Adjourned NOTICE OF ADJOURNED MEET1NG
Notice is hereby given that the Rancho Cucamonga Library Board of Trustees at their meeting held
Tuesday, November 20,2001, adjourned said meeting to Saturday, December 1,2001, at the hour of
9:45 a.m., at the Lions Center, 9191 Baseline Road, Rancho Cucamonga, California. Said
adjournment was passed by the following vote:
AYES: Bradshaw, Howdyshell, Lo, Wimberly and Womack
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Vivian Garcia, Library Administrative Secretary
Rancho Cucamonga Public Library
November 21,2001
DECLARATION OF POSTING OF AGENDA
VIVIAN GARCIA states and declares as follows:
I presently am, and at all times mentioned herein have
been, the Administrative Secretary of the Library of Rancho
Cucamonga. Acting in that capacity, on ~)~.~,~O/ ,
at ~, , I posted a true and correct copy of the meeting
agendafdated ~C. /, ~O~/ at 10500 Civic
Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga.
I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is
true and correct and that this declaration was executed on
/~-OI , at Rancho Cucamonga.
DEBORAH KAYE CLARK, LIBRARY MANAGER
City of Rancho Cucamonga
¥ivian Garcia, Administrative
Secretary
City of Rancho Cucamonga
AGENDA
RANCHO CUCAMONGA PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Adiourned Meeting
December 1, 2001 - 9:45 a.m.
Lions Center West
9191 Baseline Road
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
A. CALL TO ORDER
1. Roll Call:
Bradshaw , Lo ., Howdyshell ,
Wimberly and Womack
B. ITEMS OF BUSINESS
1. Resolution No. VLB01-003, meeting day and time for the Library Board of Trustees
2. Update on the Victoria Gardens Branch
3. CALTAC Board Effectiveness Training
4. Selection of day and time for Special Meeting of the Library Board of Trustees
C. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
This is the time and place for the general public to address the Rancho Cucamonga Public
Library Board of Trustees. State law prohibits the Board from addressing any issue not
previously included on the agenda.
D. ADJOURNMENT OF THE LIBRARY BOARD
I, Vivian Garcia, Library Administrative Secretary of the City of Rancho Cucamonga, hereby
certify that a true, accurate copy of the foregoing agenda was posted on Wednesday, November
28, 2001, seventy-two (72) hours prior to the meeting per Government Code 54953 at 10500
Civic Center Drive.
LIBRARY BOARD EFFECTIVENESS
TRAINING
CAL TA C BOARD DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF LIBRARY
RUSTEES AND
COMMISSIONERS (CAL TAC)
www.caltac.or.q
2000-2003
CALTAC Board Development Project
Library Board Effectiveness Workshop
~ives: By the end of this session participants will be able to:
· Articulate the significant role and contribution of volunteer trustees to Library
success, including CALTAC's role.
· Understand the various Library Board structures in California, and recognize
the type on which they serve.
· Identify legal obligations of library board members, and know steps to take to
reduce personal and Board liability.
· List the role and functions of a Library Board, and articulate some success
strategies for accomplishing them.
· Develop and/or enhance a productive working relationship with their Library
Director.
· Identify next steps for addressing their own current issues in this area.
AGENDA
I. Introduction
II. Why Do We Have Library Boards?
III. Types of Library Boards in California
IV. What Library Boards Do
V. Legal Duties and Liabilities of Library Board Members
VI. Success Strategies for Boards
VII. Working Toward Good Board/Library Director Relations
VIII. Next Steps -- What Can We Do To Help Our Board Be Effective?
IX. Additional Resources Available to Help
STEWARDSHIP
The act of ~
managing an°ther' s ~~1~
property, finances
or affairs to its best
interest and by the ~~
roles under which it
has been created.
Types of Li >rary Boards ~n
California
·Functional
· Organizational
· *~ Types: Types:
* City * Advisory
· County
, · City/County · Administrative
· Special District
1
STEWARDSHIP
· The act of
managing another's
property, finances
or affairs to its best
interest and by the
roles under which it
has been created.
Types of Library Boards in
California
.Organizational ,Functional
Types: Types:
· City · Advisory
· County
· City/County, Administrative
· Special District
STEWARDSHIP
· The act of
managing another's
property, finances
or affairs to its best
interest and by the
roles under which it
has been created.
i,ypes Of Li >rary Boards in
California
,Organizational .Functional
Types: Types:
· City · Advisory
· County
· City/County · Administrative
· Special District
ROLE OF THE LIBRARY BOARD 1
Whether your Library Board is Advisory or Administrative, you will be asked to either advise on
7or make policy, review proposals and/or take action in 6 areas:
Planning
Finance/Fundraising
Organizational Operations
Human Resources
Community Relations
Advocacy
What Is Policy? '
Policies govern the direction and operation of the organization. They provide the
framework for decision making. The central policy of an organization is the mission
statement, which describes its purpose. It is the responsibility of the board to see that the
mission is clearly defined and communicated to its constituencies.
Policy direction is further defined through statements of philosophy or values, as well as
through goals and objectives developed by Board, Committees and staff, based on the
mission.
.What Are The Levels Of Policy and Who Is Involved at Each Level?
~ -- is the area in which the Board is most directly involved in
formulation of policy as well as approval. Governing policies include Mission, Values, and
Goals.
Administrative Policy -- is policy generally developed consistent with governing policy by
staff (often with help from some Board members) and approved by the Board. Examples
are Personnel and fiscal management policies.
~ -- describes procedures and practices in the work environment (often
called "office procedures") and is generally developed by staff.
What Responsibilities Does The Board Have In Each of the Policy-Making Areas?
NOTE: While an Advisory Board will be asked to advise governing bodies and staff in these
areas and occasionally take or support action, an Administrative Board actually carries
responsibility for them.
Planning
1) Periodically reviewing the organization's mission, philosophy, and goals;
2) Planning for the organization's future, on a long- and short-range basis;
3) Determining which services/programs the organization will provide; and,
4) Evaluating the organization's programs and operations on a regular basis.
Role of the Library Board -- page 2
Finance
)1) Ensuring financial accountability of the organization
2) Overseeing an ongoing process of budget development, approval, and review.
3) Fundraising to ensure that adequate funds are available to support the policies and
programs; and,
4) Managing and maintaining the organization's properties or investments.
Organizational Operations
1) Ensures that the organization and its board members meet all legal requirements;
2) Ensures that the Board's operations are adequate and appropriate
3) Ensures that the organization has a functional and legal organizational structure; and,
4) Ensures that .administrative systems are adequate and appropriate.
Human Resources
I) Board Membership -- assisting with recruitment or identification of potential new board
members, providing existing board members with opportunities to grow and develop as
leaders, and recognizing their accomplishments.
2) Volunteer Involvement -- defining appropriate ways for volunteers to be utilized, and
~ setting policy on how the library should treat and recognize volunteers.
3) *Executive Director Accountability -- including hiring, firing and ongoing evaluation of
the Executive Director.
4) *Personnel Policies -- providing policy guidance on salaries, benefits and grievance
procedures.
* Administrative Boards Only
Communi .ty Relations
I) Ensuring that programs appropriately serve the membership and the community;
2) Ongoing public relations, including an awareness that board members are always
emissaries of the library; and,
3) Cooperative Action, including participation in appropriate coalitions and joint projects
which are consistent with its Mission and Goals.
Advocacy
1) Keeping well informed about public policy and other issues which affect the library, and
speaking out on behalf of the library to policy-makers and other community leaders and
constituents. No one is in a better position to play this role than the Library Board
member because you represent the community! Despite extensive staff knowledge and
commitment to the library, as library employees, they may be seen as having a vested
interest when speaking out on behalf of the library.
Just by the act of accepting a position on the board, you automatically assume legal duties and
responsibilities. Duties common to public office holders include:
· Accepting Powers And Obligations Of The Office
· Obeying Local, State And Federal Laws
· Good Faith To Constituency
· Diligence
· Managing property of the constituency
· Errors or Mistakes in Exercise of Authority
· Acts in Excess of Authority (i.e., Censorship)
· Malfeasance (fiscal misappropriation; accepting a bribe)
· Nonfeasance (failing to act when you should have)
· Negligence (i.e., unsafe buildings/grounds which results in injury)
· Intentional Tort (i.e., saying something in anger which can be construed as slander)
· Unintentional Tort (i.e., makes a mistake in good faith, i.e., accusing someone of a crime)
· Conflict of Interest (participating in any decision which affects your personal finances)
· Acts in Contravention of Statutory Direction (failing to follow laws, rules or by-laws)
· Consider indemnity insurance designed for · Liability Insurance For The Board
public officials. · Take action using parliamentary procedure --
· Be informed and active -- attend, study, ask, ensure that all actions are recorded and
vote, monitor actions -- stay on top of it! available to the public.
· Read minutes, make corrections when · Follow by-laws and policies, and ensure that
needed, and be sure your vote is properly they are reviewed and updated periodically.
recorded. · Follow the Brown Act.
· Vote "No" if you feel strongly about this · Avoid any Board conflicts of interest.
being the wrong thing to do. (NOTE: · Urge attendance by all members, and enforce
Abstaining or being absent is not sufficient to any provisions regarding forfeiture of position
protect you from liability) for a stated number of unexcused absences.
· Be very careful about conflicts of interest -- · Encourage all members to be active --
yours and others monitor committee progress and reports.
· Understand and Follow the Brown Act · Keep the governing board of your
· Seek legal counsel for clarification jurisdiction fully informed of your actions.
· Seek clarification from the jurisdiction legal
counsel when needed.
Have the Right Board to Achieve
Good Stewardship
· Diverse Mix of:
· Skills
· Expertise
· Contacts
· Geography
· Age/Sex
· Working/Retired
Californians Include
People with
Disabilities
Non-English Speakers
~l~~ A~. Functionally illiterate
School Drop-Outs
~ .~i~~ · Senior Citizens
Eliminate Barriers
· Physical
· Language
· Cultural
· Geographic / 1
· Hours of · · · ·
Operation · ! · ·
Board Development
· Job Descriptions
· Board Orientation
· Board Manual
· Policy Manual
· Ongoing Training
Opportunities
· Leadership
Opportunities
SAMPLE CITY LIBRARY COMMISSIONER JOB DESCRIPTION
Importance of Position: Provides stewardship for the City's public library assets and services on
~behalf of all residents, ensuring adaptability to a diverse population and changing environment.
'On behalf of the citizens, advises the City Council on matters pertaining to the library, and
advocates on the Library's behalf. Ensures an ongoing flow of information between the Library,
the Community and the City Council.
Qualifications: · Knowledge of the library's importance and its role in the community
· Willingness to invest time and effort in their duties
· Ability to listen and work well with others
· Tested leadership skills in business, education or community
· Enthusiasm, intellectual curiosity, good judgement and creativity
· Understanding of, and commitment to, the stewardship role of the Commission
· Demonstrated support for freedom of access, both physical and intellectual
Appointment: Appointed by, and reports to, the City Council for a term of Three Years. May
be re-appointed for one additional consecutive term.
Responsibilities:
1. Attend regular board meetings, trainings and retreats, in an effort to understand the functions
of librarianship (public services, technical services, administrative services, and technology) as
well as issues and challenges facing libraries in general, and the Sample City Library in
particular. Read materials in advance, ask questions, and make informed recommendations.
2. Become familiar with the legal and regulatory environment which governs library and library
commission operations, including, but not limited to, the Library Commission's By-Laws, the
Brown Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Confidentiality requirements.
3. Gain familiarity with the budgeting process. Review monthly and annual financial
statements. Become familiar with physical plant needs and resources, and ensure that plans
for plant maintenance and capital improvement are in place.
4. Ensure and participate in long range planning for the Library, and that needs of all segments
of our community are assessed and considered. Ensure that all policies developed and
recommended by the Commission are consistent with the approved plan.
5. Serve as an active member of a working committee of the Commission.
6. Act as an advocate for legislation and funding that will help to meet the identified needs of
the community and the library.
Training Provided: Orientation to the Library and Library Commission structure at beginning of
service term will address responsibilities delineated above. Ongoing
training updates will be provided as needed, but not less than annually.
Time Commitment: Monthly Commission and committee meetings, training and/or planning
events, and reading/preparation time estimated at 8 hours per month.
Date Revised: March, 2000
Board Member Rights and
Responsibilities
Responsibilities, Rights
Attend Regularly. To Be Fully Informed
Be Informed in Advance
Come Prepared . Traimng/Orientation
Ask Questions . To Ask Questions
Seek Clarificatton , No Wasted Time
Disclose potential , Opportunities for
conflicts of interest Personal Growth
Lon§ Term Goals Recommends/Provides Input Provides Input/Approves*
(more than one year)
Short 'Term Goals Establishes and Carries Out Monitors
Day-to-Day Operations Makes all management decisions No Role
Hiring of Staff Approves all hiring No Role
Staff Deployment Establishes Assignments No Role
~Staff Evaluations Evaluates all staff Evaluates Director, if
appropriate
Fees/Collections Recommends Policy Adopts policy
Implements Approved Policy
Community Relations Recommends appropriate activities Serve as emissary for the
Attends appropriate meetings Library in the community
Advocacy Keeps Board informed -- attends Speaks out on library
meetings as a resource issues with policy makers
and community leaders
Board Development Prepares materials and makes Designs and schedules
presentation as requested orientation and training
Ensure adherence to laws, Be informed, raise questions, seek Be informed, raise
rules & regulations legal consultation as needed questions, seek legal
consultation as needed
* "Approve" for Advisory Boards
means approve and forward for
the Jurisdiction's final approval.
SUREFIRE WAYS
FOR'STAFF TO EFFECTIVELY TURN OFF BOARD MEMBERS
· Don't ask board volunteers' advice or involve them in the decision-making process.
Fail to stick to time schedules.
· Don't provide follow-up or progress updates. ,
· Don't respond promptly to'phone calls.
· Force a board volunteer to make repeated requests for data.
· Embarrass a board volunteer through inaccurate or insufficient data.
· Forget to say "Thank you."
FOR BOARD MEMBERS TO EFFECTIVELY "TURN OFF" STAFF
· Don't return phone calls.
· Agree to complete a task that you know you don't have time or are not motivated to do.
· Fail to achieve a task within the agreed-upon time frame.
Once a deadline has passed, force staff to inquire repeatedly about progress.
· Agree to a course of action privately, then change directions publicly without notifying
staff of the reasons.
· Put a staff person in a position of having to render an opinion about his colleagues or
organization.
· Forget to say "Thank you."
Print Bibliography for Library Board Effectiveness
California Association of Library Trustees and Commissioners, and the California
State Library. Trustee Tool Kit for Library Leadership (1998 Edition).
Ellis, Susan, The Board's Role in Maximizing Volunteer Resource~ (Washington
DC: National Center for Nonprofit Boards, 1999).
Himmel, Ethel, and W.J. Wilson, Plannin~ for Results: A Public Library
Transformation Process (ALA, 1998).
Lehn, Carla C., Volunteer Involvement in California Libraries: "Best Practices"
(Sacramento: California State Library, 1999).
Rubin, Renee. Avoidin~ Liability Risk: An Attorney's Advice to Library Trustee~
and Others (ALA, 1994).
Short, Jack. Library Trustees Guidelines (Avon CT: Consultant Publications, 1994)
Swan, James. Working Together: A How-To-Do It Manual for Librarians and
Trustees (NY: Neal-Schuman Publishers, 1992).
Wade, Gordon S. Working with Library Boards: A How-To-Do It Manual for
Librarians (NY: Neal-Schuman Publishers, 1991).
Young, Virginia. The Library Trustee: A Practical Guidebook (ALA, 1995).
Manley, Will and Richard Lee. For Library Directors Only/For Library Trustees Only
(Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Company, 1993).
Electronic Bibliography for Library Board Effectiveness
American Library Association www.ala.org
American Library Trustees Association www.ala.org/alta
The Brown Act (State Attorney General's site) caag.state.ca.us/piu/brown.htm
California Library Laws www.library.ca.gov/laws
California State Library www.library.ca.gov
Cupertino City Library Commission Handbook
www.cupertino.org/update/hall/commissions/library/CLC_Report_98.html
National Center for Nonprofit Boards www.ncnb.org
New Hampshire Library Trustees Association www.state.nh.us/nhlta
Nonprofit Risk Management Center www.nonprofitrisk.org
CALTAC Board Development Project
Library Board Effectiveness Workshop
Workshop Evaluation Form
Well Met Kind of Met Not Met at All
5 4 3 2 1
1. The following learning objectives were:
a ) Articulate the significant role and 5 4 3 2 1
contribution of volunteer trustees to Library
success, including CALTAC's role.
b) Understand the various Library Board 5 4 3 2 1
structures in California, and recognize the
type on which you serve.
c) Identify legal obligations of library board 5 4 3 2 1
members, and know steps to take to reduce
personal and Board liability.
d) List the role and functions of a Library Board, 5 4 3 2 1
and articulate some success strategies for
accomplishing them.
e) Develop and/or enhance a productive working 5 4 3 2 1
relationship with your Library Director.
f) Identify next steps for addressing your own 5 4 3 2 1
board's current issues in this area.
2. What part of this workshop was most helpful to you?
3. What part was least helpful?
4. What changes would you suggest in the Workshop?
5. Other Comments?
ABOUT CALTAC i
The California Association of Ubrary Trustees
and Commissioners consists of present and
former library trustees, commissioners and
system advisory board members, it's purposes C A L I F O R N I A
are:
ASSOCIATION OF
· TO educate trustees and commissioners LIB R A R Y TR U S TEES
to better carry out their duties and re- A N D
sponsibilities towa rd providing effective C O M M I S S I O N E R S
library service
· To provide library trustees and comrnis-
,,onersthe oppo=n, of r ng CALTAC
gether on concerns important to al/I~-
braries in California VV~/VV. Caltc~c.or~I~'"~ ,-.
·To promote interest in the development
of effectJve lil:)rary service
· To help unify library action in the state by
cooperating with the programs of the
California Library Association and the
California State Library
Mail Membership Application to:
~ ..,~aa~ CSRLTAC,Denise Membership Surber Chair
' 507 - 18thStreet
. ~11~,~:~ Paso Robles, CA 93446
WHAT DOES YOU NEED CALTAC
CALTAC DO? . To keep up-to-date and welHnformed on library
CALTAC functions through its committees matters of concern to you as ooe rasponsible for
of member volunteers from throughout promoting good library service in your community
· To add to your effecthrene~ during your term of
· Regional Worlmhops in Library Leader- -
ship provide opportunity for trustees, office as a member of a library administrative or
commi~ioners, librarians and con- advisory board, and to provide an outlet for your
tamed members of the public to team 0
om,,brarye ,an omeach cooti.u,ng ,c, on,n,,braryac"viti when
others' experiences, your mrm is ended ._~
nev~letter, keeps C A £ T A C N l! E D
directors informed about the organ~
~ation's activities.
in CAL TAC workshops and commit-
in working toward their library goals tees
· The Program Committee arranges for · To reinforce libra~y/community strength in present-
speakers and events of special interest
for the annual membership meeting, lng library matters to the Legislature or to local gov- [ / ~o ~ E~ -- ~ ,.
· The Legislative Committee informs erning bodies
members about legislation affecting ! / o E o ~ ~ To
libraries, alerts them to.join in lobby-
ingeffortsatappropriatetimes, and TO JOIN CALTAC
helps them pa~cipate in the annual =~ ~ / '~ g ~ '~ :2=o.~E
Legislative Day in Sacramento. · Voting membership in CAI.TACiS open to everyone
· The ^wards Committee publicizes
services tO libraries by annual recogni- who iS or has been a trustee, commissioner, or aclvi-
tion of outstanding contribution by sory board member of any library system In Califor-
individuals or organizations. ~ : '~ / ~: ~{
· The Literacy Committee encourages nla.
local library sponsorship of volunteer
tutorial services to aid the functionally · Non-voting Associate Memberships are ~vaJlable to
illiterate.
· The Intellectual Freedom Committee librarians, mends and any interested person or inst~ Mail Membership Application to:
keeps CA£TACmembers aware of tution who wish to support CALTAC~purposes CALTAC. Membership Chair
challenges to the right to read, and Denise 5unber
the means to defend that right, and receive CALTAC publications. 507 - lath Street
RESOLUTION NO. VLB01-003
A RESOLUTION OF THE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE
CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING A
TIME AND PLACE OF REGULAR MEETINGS.
WHEREAS, SECTION 3 of Ordinance No. 520 establishing a municipal Library does
provide that regular meetings of the Library Board of Trustees shall be establisbed by resolution
of the Library Board of Trustees; and,
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Library Board of Trustees to establish a schedule of
regular meetings.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOI~VED that the Library Board of Trustees of the City
of Rancho Cucamonga does hereby establish a meeting schedule as follows:
SECTION 1: Regular meetings of the Library Board of Trustees shall be held on the
second (2nd) Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m.
SECTION 2: Regular meetings of the Library Board of Trustees shall be held at the
Civic Center Complex located at 10500 Civic Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, California in
the City Council Chambers.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this I st day of December, 2001.
AYES: Bradshaw, Howdyshell, Lo, Wimberly and Womack
NOES: None
R~bert Howdysh~ll, pr{~it)gt~ -
ATTEST:
Vivian Garcia, Administrative Secretary
1, Vivian Garcia, Administrative Secretary of the Library Board of Trustees of the City of
Rancho Cucamonga, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly passed,
approved, and adopted by the Rancho Cucamonga Library Board of Trustees at their special
meeting of the said Board held on the 1 st day of December, 2001.
Executed this 1st day of December, 2001 at Rancho Cucamonga, California
Vivian Garcia, Administrative Secretary