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Appendix B - Governance/Administration
Is your administration and board aware of all their responsibilities needed to organize and run a library? This section covers the responsibilities of boards and staff that organize the activities of the library's long-term objectives. There are two kinds of library boards in Michigan, advisory and governing.
What are the essentials of administration?
Library of Michigan Manuals and Guides
- Michigan Public Library Trustee Manual
- Financial Management Reference Guide
- Library Law Handbook
- Certification and State Aid to Public Libraries Process
Other Manual, Workbooks and Guides
- Administrative Essentials: A Handbook for Wisconsin Public Library Directors
- Wisconsin Public Library Standards
What to remember when considering a policy
Sample Policy Resources
(see also the links at the Library of Michigan's Human Resources Appendix A)
- Creating Policies for Results: From Chaos to Clarity by Sandra Nelson and June Garcia. Chicago: ALA, 2003.
- Indiana State Library: Public Library Policies
- Trustee Essentials: A Handbook for Wisconsin Public Library Trustees - Essential 10: Policies
- Mid-Hudson Library Systems Trustee Resources - Sample Public Library Policies & Development Tips
General Policies from Michigan Libraries
Advocacy
Bookmobile
Bulletin Boards
By-Laws
- Library of Michigan: Trustee Manual
- By-laws of the Ann Arbor District Library
- By-laws of the Genesee District Library
Children's Services
Circulation
- Borrowers' eligibility
- Borrowers' responsibilities
- Child Protection Email Address Registry Law, PA 241 2004
- Equipment use
- Fees [for materials, nonresident cards, etc.]
- Fines
- Loan periods
- Lost and damaged materials
- Number of items loaned
- Privacy [Michigan Library Privacy Act]
- Disclosure of Registration and Circulation Records Policy
- Release of a Minor's Records
- Renewals and reserves
- Closing the building procedures
- Displays and exhibits
- Fire, tornado, severe weather and other emergencies
- Hours of service
- Inter-library loan and reciprocal borrowing
- Fees (if any)
- Protocols and procedures
Collection Development
- See Collection Development Appendix A
Data Security (see also Technology Appendix)
Facilities
- Acquisition and ownership
- American Disabilities Act compliance
- Disaster and recovery plans for facilities and equipment
- Distribution of outside materials
- Inventory of capital assets
- Maintenance
- Site selection
Financial Policies
- Complete financial policy of the Superior District Library
- Complete financial policy of the Traverse Area District Library
- Gift Acceptance Policy
- Budget
- Competitive bid process
- Comprehensive general liability
- Credit card use
- Endowment Funds
- Errors and omissions
- Fiduciary liability public employee blanket bond
- Investment of funds
- Insurance
- Procurement plan
- Public officer blanket bond
- Surplus funds
- Travel expenses
Freedom of Information Act
Human Resources
- See Human Resources Appendix A
Intellectual Freedom
- See Collection Development Appendix D
- Intellectual Freedom Manual by the Office for Intellectual Freedom. Chicago: ALA, 2005.
Internet access
Library Law Handbook
Media Contact Policy
Meeting rooms
Open Meeting Act
Outreach services
- Handicapped
- Homebound
- Institutional
Outside Cooperation: Sharing of resources and establishing of networks
- Local chamber of commerce
- Local schools
- Regional library cooperative
Patriot Act
Patron Privacy
- Chippewa River District River Privacy of Patron Records policy
Personnel
Problem behavior
Public Relations
Records Retention
- Michigan Public Libraries General Retention Schedule #17 from the Records Management Services, Department of Technology, Management and Budget, State of Michigan.
- Lakeland Library Cooperative Records Retention policy
Reference Services
- Homework assignments
- Online searches
- Reference interview
Security
- Safety & Security Policy - Appleton Public Library
Social Media
- Social Media Policy - Messenger Public Library of North Aurora
Strategic Planning
The plan includes a community profile using census reports, local government documents, chamber of commerce materials, and special community planning reports. The plan includes a mission statement, goals, objectives, strategies, an implementation schedule and an evaluation plan. The plan is reviewed on an ongoing basis.
- A Library Board's Practical Guide To Strategic Planning
- Community assessment survey
- Demographics
- Examples
Technology: See Technology Appendix E
Trustees
- Conflict of Interest sample:
Section 1. Board members may not in their private capacity negotiate, bid for, or enter into a contract with the ____________Public Library in which they have a direct or indirect financial interest.
Section 2. A board member shall withdraw from Board discussion, deliberation, and vote on any matter in which the Board member, an immediate family member, or an organization with which the Board member is associated has a substantial financial interest.
Section 3. A board member may not receive anything of value that could reasonably be expected to influence his or her vote or other official action.