One Wednesday each month, seven connected Liverpool residents get together to make sure the Liverpool Public Library does its very best to serve their community.
At the upcoming May 18 library budget vote, three of the seats on the LPL Board of Trustees will be up for vote for five-year terms.
Anybody 18 and over who lives in the Liverpool Central School District who’s interested in running for one of the seats can pick up a petition at the school office, 195 Blackberry Road, Liverpool, now and return it there signed by 25 fellow residents by Monday, April 19.
Kay Budmen, who’s been serving as the board’s president the past year, has appreciated her five years on the board so much that she’s returned a petition and will run for one of the three seats.
Serving as a trustee is an important role for community members, said LPL Director Glenna Wisniewski.
“The library budget is supported by taxpayers of the Liverpool Central School District. Therefore, it is vital that as stakeholders, they are represented,” Wisniewski said. “Involved representation will ensure that decisions impacting the library have the best interests of the community in mind. A diverse board will also ensure that moving forward the library remains equitable, sustainable and a reflection of the community it serves.”
Don MacLaughlin, who’s currently serving as the board’s vice president, said this quote from the American Library Association aptly describes why he’s felt a sense of accomplishment during his seven years as a trustee:
“Libraries are America’s most democratic institutions. They ensure people have access to information and lifelong learning regardless of age, education, ethnicity, gender, language, income, physical limitations or geographic barriers. Libraries strengthen communities and help create a more literate and just society.”
As an LPL trustee, MacLaughlin said, “I’ve always found that elected representatives serving without any renumeration especially at the local level have the best interest of their constituents and community in mind. This board takes its responsibilities seriously and has a good working relationship with the director and staff.”
John Hluchyl said his time as a trustee has been worthwhile “because of my fellow board members and their commitment to the library. I’ve learned so much from their thoughtful discourse on many topics and from the ways they were able to incorporate their varied life experiences to benefit the library, staff and its patrons,” he said.
Here are trustee responsibilities, from the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State, 2018 edition:
- Create and develop the mission of the library;
- Regularly plan and evaluate the library’s service program based on community needs;
- Secure adequate funding for the library’s service program;
- Exercise fiduciary responsibility for the use of public and private funds;
- Adopt policies and rules regarding library governance and use;
- Be active and informed about library matters in general and of those affecting your library;
- Attend all board meetings and be prepared to participate knowledgeably;
- Advocate for the library in every manner possible.
