REPORT TO BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
SUBJECT
Title
Discuss and Approve Draft Board of Library Trustees Handbook for New Trustee Onboarding
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
At the January 2023 Special Meeting of the Board of Library Trustees, the Board received a presentation from Assistant City Manager Cynthia Bojorquez and Assistant City Attorney Elizabeth Klotz who provided information on the roles and responsibilities of the Board of Library Trustees. This presentation was prepared to provide clarity and information to the Board in response to questions about the Board's role, responsibilities, and successful strategies to use in order to advocate for the Library.
One outcome of this presentation was an interest on the part of the Board in developing a Board of Library Trustees Handbook, in order to pass down the information shared in this presentation to future Trustees. The Board also recommended adding information about the Santa Clara City Library's history, facilities, policies, services, and training and volunteer opportunities.
At the March 2023 Board of Library Trustees Meeting, an ad hoc Board subcommittee presented a draft document entitled Board of Library Trustee Responsibilities, to consider for inclusion in a Board of Library Trustees Handbook.
Library staff then prepared a draft Board of Library Trustees Handbook, incorporating information from the initial presentation by Assistant City Manager Cynthia Bojorquez and Assistant City Attorney Elizabeth Klotz, along with information recommended by the Board for inclusion.
The draft language was then updated with review and input from the City Manager's Office and the City Attorney's Office. Staff subsequently further refined the draft handbook and included greater detail about the history and services offered by the Santa Clara City Library.
The purpose of the new draft Board of Library Trustees' Board of Library Trustees Handbook is to inform...
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