The best relationships between Trustees and Library Directors are ones that are symbiotic with open, direct communication. Some of the information you will rely on your Director to provide includes:
You likely joined the Board because you care about the library. Your Director does, too! You may have been involved in hiring the Director that helms your library now. Remember that you hired that person based on their professional expertise and ability to manage the staff and day-to-day operations of the library. Your Director can provide you with valuable insight into what your community needs from your library and how well it is currently meeting those needs. Take advantage of their expertise so you can advocate for your library with the knowledge you need.
If you are Hiring a New Library Director, click HERE to find answers to many of your questions about:
You can also download a planning worksheet to help determine the qualities you want in your new Director
For an overview of the process, click HERE for a downloadable overview sheet
*If you are transitioning between Directors and/or Acting Directions, please report these changes with the MBLC.*
Library Director searches and evaluations, including many deliberations, are subject to Open Meeting Law (OML). Very few parts qualify for Executive Session. If you have not attended an Open Meeting Law Training, we strongly recommend taking the time to attend.
The Office of the Attorney General is very responsive to questions about OML and Executive Sessions. When in doubt, reach out!
Office of the Attorney General - Division of Open Government: phone (617) 963-2540
email: openmeeting@mass.gov
Evaluating the Library Director is a crucial part of a Trustee's role. Evaluations should be performed annually. The ideal evaluation enriches communication between the Board and the Director and ensures that the goals of both parties are aligned. Trustees should be transparent about what they are looking for with achievable goals that the Board has agreed upon.
Feedback should be:
There are many ways to approach a Director evaluation, but the evaluation should include a ranking system, clear guidelines, and an achievable pathway to improvement. There should also be an appeals or commentary process where you can hear your Director's response to your feedback.
You may want to consider including these factors in your evaluation rubrics:
BiblioTemps® is an employment service of the Massachusetts Library System that provides experienced library workers for short-term placements in public, academic, and special libraries throughout Massachusetts.
United for Libraries is the division of the American Library Association dedicated to assisting library advocates, including Trustees. Here are some resources they provide on Trustee / Director relationships:
Additional Sample Evaluations: