Strathcona County Library Board

1. Strathcona County Library Board

2. Read on to learn all about the composition of the Board, the general and specific expectations, and how to become a member. You’re interested in becoming a member of the Strathcona County Library Board? Great!

3. Be a member in good standing of the library Accept an appointment to a 3-year term, with the possibility of up to three 3-year terms Be prepared to contribute your ideas, your time and your expertise What are the general expectations of a Library Board member?

4. What’s the commitment? • Meeting Commitments • One 2-hour board meeting once a month except for during the summer (July and August) • Committee meetings – choose one of three committees to serve on; they meet from three to six times a year each • Preparation at home for the meetings (reading and preparing opinions for the meetings)

5. Social Function Commitments • Attendance at advocacy and library events as your skills and time allow • E.g. Library volunteer lunch, Chamber of Commerce lunches, speaking engagements, staff development day, meetings with MLA’s, garden tour, etc. • Workshop and Learning Commitments • Attend one Saturday workshop each year • Attend one orientation workshop in your first year • Attend a two day conference during your first term

6. What is the typical time commitment? • It depends on the level of your involvement and your commitment • You may start with only 5 hours a month • If you become avidly involved, it can become up to 20 hours a month

7. What would a typical month of activities look like? • Pick up a Board meeting package at the Library and review it prior to the meeting • Attend the Board meeting • Attend two committee meetings • Attend a breakfast or luncheon (Chamber of Commerce, Rotarian, Library) or other event … so the average is around 3 meetings per month, plus 1 volunteer function, plus home preparation time

8. What are the committees? • Policy • Advocacy • Executive (this consists of the Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary-Treasurer, who are elected annually by the Board) Other Organizations that Board members liaise with: • Metro Edmonton Libraries Federation • Friends of the Library • Culture and Heritage

9. What about financial implications? • Board members are remunerated $25 for each board and internal committee meeting • You may donate this fee to the library or not – it is up to you • Attendance at library fundraising events can be complementary for work done on organizing those events

10. Please remember… • You do not need to be a member of the Board to attend Board meetings – all are welcome! Come and see what it’s like without committing yourself. • Ask lots of questions – we are interested in your input. • Check the library website to find out when the next Board meeting will occur (one Monday evening a month)– we hope to see you!

11. Would you like to be a member of our Board? • Here’s the process: • In October, write a letter of application to Strathcona County • Interview with two County councilors, a County staff administrator, and the Chair of our Library Board • If you are successful, you will receive an appointment letter from the County

12. Our MissionStrathcona County Library encourages literacy and lifelong learning, fosters community connections, and offers programs and services that inform, engage, and entertain.Our VisionStrathcona County Library, the heart of the community, inspires literacy, learning, and creativity.Come be part of it!