Crook County Library Board of Directors

General Function: 
Participate as a member of a team (the library board) to reflect and advance the interests of the broader community by effectively governing the operations and promoting the development of the local public library.

Qualifications: 
Serious commitment to being a library board member and commitment to the provision of library services within your community.  Willingness to become familiar with laws affecting Wyoming libraries, and willingness to support equitable access to the knowledge, information, and diversity of ideas needed by community residents.  Commitment to freedom of expression and inquiry for all people.

Duties under Wyoming Law
In 1886 the Wyoming Territorial Legislature passed the first legislation in the nation enabling county-based library systems.  This led to the state's current system of 23 county library systems, ensuring that every resident of Wyoming has free access to library services.

Wyoming Statute Title 18, Chapter 7 addresses the establishment and governance of county libraries.  The full text may be found in "Wyoming Library Laws" at will.state.wy.us/slpub/LibLaws.pdf.  Board Member duties spelled out under that statute include:

18-7-103:  "Control, use and disposition of the county library fund," budgeting and expending it "for the maintenance, operation and promotion of the county library and county library system in order to carry out the informational, educational, cultural and recreational role of the county library."

18-7-104:  "Receive and be responsible for real estate, money or other property to aid the establishment, maintenance or operation of the county library system."

18-7-104:  "Appoint a competent librarian who with the approval of the board of directors shall appoint a library staff.  The duties and compensation of the staff shall be determined by the board."

18-7-105:  "Prescribe rules and regulations for the establishment, organization, operation and use of the county library and library system."
Principal Activities
  • Attend all regularly scheduled and special board meetings and be an active member of the library board.
  • Read and be prepared to discuss the issues and topics on the agenda.
  • Assure that the meetings are properly convened in accordance with Wyoming's open meetings law.
  • Act as an advocate for the library through contacts with civic groups.
  • Assist in the development and approval of an annual budget that reflects appropriate compensation for employees, adequate resources for the community and staff, and facilities that are safe and usable.
  • Work with the county commissioners to obtain adequate library funding.
  • Attend the county commissioner meetings when budget requests are presented to help answer questions about the library's programs and account for previous appropriations.
  • Participate in the development and approval of library policies.  Review policies on a regular, systematic schedule.
  • Help determine and advocate for reasonable staff salaries and benefits.
  • Assist in setting goals, and evaluating the library director.
  • Assist in the formulation and adoption of a long-range plan for the library.
  • Periodically review and revise long-range plan.
  • Attend WLA conferences and other training opportunities to expand knowledge of effective leadership when possible.