Policy Making
All information provided on policy making can be found in the 2008 Trustee Manual
Basics of Policy Making
Policy making is one of the most important functions of a library board of trustees. Policies are general statements governing library operations, rules, and use. They are vital tools that do much to determine the orderly success of the library and the course of its future development. Policies should be flexible rather than overly rigid, and should be reviewed on a regular basis. The board of trustees is responsible for adopting written policies to govern and guide all phases of library operation.
Policies should be tailored to local conditions and should flow from the library’s mission statement and service responses. It is the responsibility of the library director to implement board policies through the development of library procedure. When all elements of the process are in place, the library director and staff have direction of the day-to-day operation of the library, and both the public and the staff are assured of consistent treatment in all aspects of library service.
Policies are not carved in stone!
Resources, communities, and goals change and grow.
Policies must reflect current needs and services.