Library Board

The Alta Community Library Board of Trustees meets on the second Thursday of every month at 5:15 pm in the library. Meeting agendas are posted at least 24 hours in advance at the library, Alta City Hall, and the Alta Post Office. Members of the public are welcome to attend all meetings, and citizens are welcome to address the board during open forum. Please note that if you address the board during open forum, the board will not necessarily take action at that time but may place any matters of discussion on the agenda for a future meeting. Any questions about the running and operation of the library should be directed to the Library Director, and letters to the board can be addressed to the library or at the email address listed below.

Library Trustees Directory

Name	Title	Term	Contact
Bruce Hinkeldey	President	9/22-6/30	altalibtrustee@gmail.com
Colleen Schwanz	V. P.	8/21-6/27
Anne Iehl	Secretary	6/18-6/27
Anna Garcia	Trustee	7/12-6/28
Colleen Carlson-Konop	Trustee	7/23-6/29
Willa Casstevens	Trustee	7/23-6/29
Carol Lichtenberg	Trustee	6/24-6/30

 

 

Library Board Meeting Minutes

 

Public library boards have five primary roles:

1.  Advocate for the library in the community and advocate for the community as a member of the library board.   To be a library advocate is to work for the betterment of library services for the community.   Advocacy includes working to obtain adequate funding for the library; pursuing opportunities to meet and speak with community groups; getting to know the mayor and city council; making sure the community’s needs and interests are paramount when making board decisions.

2.  Plan for the future of the library.  Planning is one of the most important trusts that the community gives to the library board.  Planning is deciding what is going to happen with library services over the next few years.  It is taking charge of the library’s future and creating it to be responsive to what the community needs.

3.  Monitor and evaluate the overall effectiveness of the library.  The community puts its trust in the library board to make sure the library is operating the way it should.  For example, the library boards is familiar with the library’s budget - where the money is coming from and how it will be spent.  The board monitors monthly financial reports and approves the bills so they can be paid.  The board also helps determine whether the community is satisfied with the service received from the library.

4.  Set library policies.  The library boards spends much of its time on policy issues - developing policies and monitoring the effectiveness of those policies.  (Policy is a carefully designed, broadly stated, written guideline for actions and decision of the library.)  Once adopted by the board, library staff carries out the policies on a day to day basis.

5.  Hire and evaluate the library director.  The board hires a qualified director to manage the day-to-day operations of the library and works with the director, carefully respecting each other’s roles.  The board also regularly evaluates the director to make sure the library operates well and in the best interest of those the library serves.

Library Board Application

Library Board positions are filled only when an opening becomes available. If you'd like to be considered for an open position, please fill out this application and submit it to the Alta City Clerk's office. All board members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by City Council.