Library Board of Trustees

Eligibility: Two members may be out-of-town residents living anywhere in Wahkiakum County. The other three members must be in-town residents. In selecting the trustees, the council shall seek to ensure representation that includes experience with the functions of public and private libraries, serving on oversight boards, and a demonstrated commitment to promoting public education, culture, and intellectual development to a diverse community.

Training: Every member of the governing body of a public agency must complete training on the requirements of the OPMA & PRA no later than ninety days after the date the member assumes public office and such training must be repeated every 4-years while in office. (RCW 42.30.205; 42.56.150)

Availability: A trustee shall attend no less than 75 percent of the regular meetings scheduled by the board each year. Meetings missed after pre-arrangement with the chair shall not be counted as unexcused absences. Failure to meet the board of trustees’ attendance requirements shall be grounds for removal of a trustee by the town council.

Application: A completed Town Library Board Application must be upload to your website application submission or returned to the Clerk-Treasurer at Town Hall, 375 2nd Street, Cathlamet, WA 98612.

The trustees shall serve without compensation.

The board shall have the power to hire a librarian, set library policy on the mission, goals, and objectives, propose a budget, and perform the duties of governance pursuant to RCW 27.12.190 and 27.12.210, as amended.

Specific duties include:

• Know community needs, keep abreast of library trends, and actively participate in state and national library associations.
• Set up an organizational structure for the library board and adopt bylaws that meet Open Public Meetings laws.
• Assure that board minutes, library policies, plans, and other information or reports are available to the public as required by law.
• Once the board adopts a policy or plan all members support the decision and support staff who implement decisions.
• In coordination with the director, develop and adopt the library's mission statement, long-range, strategic and annual plans.
• Know local, state, and federal laws related to libraries.
• Employ a competent and qualified director, maintain a current job description, and evaluate the director annually on previously agreed upon criteria.
• Clearly delegate operations to library director avoiding procedural micromanaging.
• Discuss, adopt, and periodically review policies.