Written bylaws of the board of trustees; reviewed and re-approved at least every five years.
Bylaws define the structure of the Board of Trustees, set procedures, and ensure continuity.
Bylaws need to be reviewed and re-approved every 5 years.
If your board has not reviewed your bylaws in the past five years, you will need to add it as an agenda item for a board meeting before January 1, 2021.
Follow the amendment procedures in your bylaws if an item needs to be updated.
Include "Reviewed" or "Approved" dates on the bylaws.
To be in compliance with Standard 11, your bylaws need to be posted to the library's website.
A community-based, board-approved, written long-range plan of service developed by the board and staff.
A library's long-range plan should be designed to help with decision-making, communicating the library's intentions in the community, and pointing the library in a direction.
The long-range plan will clarify the library's role in the community, evaluate the quality of library services, and establish funding priorities.
Most plans cover 3-5 years.
Plans should be specific and measurable.
To be in compliance with Standard 11, your long-range plan will need to be posted to the library's website.
Standard #8: Maintaining a Facility to Meet Community Needs
Maintain a facility which meets community needs, as outlined in the library’s long range plan; including adequate space, lighting, shelving, power and data infrastructure, and a public restroom.
The library's long-range plan of service will help determine space needs and layout of library facilities.
The Board/Facilities Committee needs to regularly evaluate the library’s facilities.
The Board should gather input regarding the library's facilities from staff and community members.
Having a Master Facility Plan will help plan for an expansion/renovation, regular maintenance, safety/security updates, workflow, ADA compliancy, and sustainability.
Provide a circulation system that facilitates access to the local library collection and other library catalogs as well as providing equipment, technology, and internet connectivity to address community needs and facilitate access to information.
Libraries must provide a integrated library system (ILS) that facilitates resource sharing by the tracking of items owned by a library, as well as library users’ borrowing, returning and requesting activities.
Libraries must provide access to technology hardware including computers, printers, scanners, etc.
Libaries must provide access to high-speed wifi.
It is best practice to keep a master list of hardware inventory, usernames and passwords, software licensing keys, and vendor/support contact information.
Standard #11: Provides Access to Current Library Information
Provide access to current library information in print and online to facilitate the community’s understanding of library services, operations and governance. Information provided online shall include items 1-5.
Libaries must provides access to current library information in print and online.
Include all library contact information, hours of operation, and programming schedules.
Describe the library, its services, and available programming.
Information should be clear, up-to-date, and contain consistent branding.
Libraries must make available draft Board meeting minutes within two weeks of meeting.
To be in compliance with the updated Minimum Standards, libraries must post Bylaws, Long-Range Plan, Annual Report to the Community, Policies, and Budget on the library’s website.
Employ a paid director with qualifications based on population served. The minimum education qualifications for library director as established in Commissioner’s Regulation ยง 90.8 are as follows:
A paid Director ensures consistent, quality service to the library community.
The Director should be compensated based on education and experience.
Include health insurance, paid sick leave, and paid vacation in the Director's benefit package.
A retirement plan and continuing education opportunities are strongly recommended.
Establish and maintain partnerships with educational, cultural or community organizations which will enable the library to address the community’s needs; as outlined in the library’s long-range plan of service.
Libraries must demonstrate active partnering with educational, cultural, and/or community organizations.
Partnerships create community ties, programming opportunities, and sustainability.
Partnerships should have a goal or objective.
Parntnerships present opportunities for the library to gain new resources, new services, and new users.