Guilderland Public Library Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees is the governing organization of the Library. These officials set policy and ensure that the Library is responsive to the public's needs. They are elected by the public and serve five-year terms.

Serving the community as a board member is an important job, as State Librarian Janet Welch wrote in her preface to the Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State (2000): "A good public library benefits and serves the entire community. [Trustees] make policy and fiscal decisions crucial to the life and direction of the library. Their decisions impact the lives of people and the future of their community. Library trustees are responsible to the library and to the public it serves and must be tireless advocates for improving library services."

Serving as a board member includes many challenges, but great rewards as well. If you are interested in learning about becoming a board member, please don't hesitate to contact current Board Members (listed below) or the Library Director, Barbara Nichols Randall, at 456-2400 x 113. Information packets and petitions for prospective trustees are available every March at the Library or the Guilderland School District Office. Elections are held every May, concurrently with the budget votes for the School District and Library District.

The information listed below relates only to members of the public interested in running for a permanent Board seat in May. In the case of a mid-year vacancy, the seat will be filled by appointment. Please see the appointment section below for more information.

Both incumbents and new candidates may run for a permanent Board seat by following the steps below.

Candidates need to pick up an informational packet at the Library. These are available starting in March before each election. Anyone picking up a packet must sign their name, address and phone number. This required information is retained by the School District.

Each packet includes a memo from the Director, the Library Bylaws, and a document titled On Being a Board Member which outlines the responsibilities and opportunities the position entails. There is also a two-page biographical information sheet, which must be filled out and returned. This information is used in the Library's publicity pertaining to the election. Everyone picking up a packet is encouraged to read all the information completely.

Please call the Library Director at 456-2400 x 113 or the School District Clerk at 456-6200 with any questions.

Should a Board vacancy occur during the year, the seat will be filled by appointment. This appointment will last until June 30. If an appointed Board Member wishes to become a permanent member, they must run for public election, usually held in May.

Members of the public wishing to be considered for appointment should send a letter of intent and a résumé to the attention of the Library Director, Guilderland Public Library, 2228 Western Avenue, Guilderland, NY 12084.

Questions? Please contact the Library Director by phone at 456-2400 x 113 or by email at director@guilpl.org, or the Board President by email at board@guilpl.org.

In his preface to Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State (1995), then State Librarian Joseph Schubert wrote "Trustees of public libraries have never carried greater responsibility or had a greater opportunity for public service. Technology, our economy, and domestic and international developments are changing every sector of American life, including library services. . .Trustees' decisions affect the lives of people and the future of their communities. "

As you contemplate becoming a member of the Guilderland Public Library Board of Trustees, we would like to provide you with some information regarding particular responsibilities. Some of these responsibilities are unique to our library, others are common to public libraries across New York State. The main charge to the Board is to set policy for the Library, which is then administered by the Director.

A realistic picture of being a Board Member includes many challenges, but great rewards as well. The position will be what you make of it. It takes time to become fully aware of all that goes into being a trustee. We would encourage you to ask questions, especially of other Board Members, talk to the Library Director, take a tour of the Library, read the policy handbook, and review the bylaws. This will help you understand the duties and responsibilities that come with this office.