SW Connecticut News

Town of Westport issued the following announcement on March 18.

In 2019, the Westport Library reopened after a two-year,  multi-million dollar “Transformation Project.”  The physical spaces and  technologies were redesigned to increase visibility, flexibility, and  connectedness. Our vision centered on preparing for the unknown,  equipping ourselves to deal with constant change, and the evolving needs  of the community we serve.

The Library Board and Westport's Representative Town Meeting are  seeking candidates to fill vacancies on the Library Board of Trustees.  The Library is interested in meeting with candidates with previous board  experience with an expertise in finance, fundraising and development  for non-profits, knowledge, expertise, and understanding of current  trends in media and information technology, and entrepreneurs with  experience with business and economic development and innovation.

Position Summary:

The position of Trustee is for a civic-minded individual motivated by  the opportunity to make a valuable contribution and with the  willingness to use his/her skills to guide the Library and ensure it  remains a valuable resource to the community. It includes working  closely with the Library's Executive Director and dedicating time to  learn about Library funding, policies, and planning. Board members  participate in establishing and supporting policies, developing  long-range plans, monitoring the Library's budget, and fund-raising.

The Board of Trustees is accountable to the public for ensuring that  the Library operates in an efficient and a productive manner. The  Library is managed by the Executive Director, who is hired by the Board.  The Executive Director enacts the policies of the Board to assure that  the needs and expectations of the taxpayers, donors, patrons, and  employees are met in the best way possible. Board members are also  advocates for the Library, enthusiastically educating friends and  associates about the Library's many offerings.

Responsibilities:

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• Hire and evaluate the Executive Director.
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• Work with the Executive Director to establish and support policies.
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• Work with the Executive Director to develop long-range plans that meet community needs.
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• Work with the Executive Director and staff to develop and approve the Library's annual budget.
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• Understand the Library's budget and financial requirements and  advocate for funding necessary to meet the needs of the Library from a  variety of sources.
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• Attend monthly Board meetings and Committee meetings.
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• Serve on committees as assigned by the Board President.
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• Advocate for the Library regularly and in diverse settings throughout the community
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• Encouraging and support innovation, creativity, and supporting  change while embracing new ways of doing things, even if unproven by the  Library.
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• Be informed about Library issues and about state laws that govern public libraries.    

       

  Skill Requirements:    

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• Ability to participate in monthly Board and committee meetings  and work cooperatively with other board members, town officials, staff  and patrons.
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• Skills in fundraising, strategy, management, planning, marketing, finance, and law are welcome additions to the board.
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• Knowledge of public funding, experience fundraising, and service on other boards, particularly not-for-profit boards.
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• Ability to positively serve the community.

Trustee appointments will generally be for a four-year term beginning  on July 1, 2022, unless a Trustee is being elected to serve out the  unexpired term of a Trustee who has resigned. There are 20 members on  the Library Board of Trustees, half of whom are appointed by the  Representative Town Meeting and half of whom are appointed by the  Library Board itself. More information about the role of the Library  Board of Trustees is available on the Library's website at westportlibrary.org. There also is a link to the Library's Strategic Plan, which guides the Library in decision-making and budgeting.

Applicants must be residents of the Town of Westport.

Those interested in applying should email a resume and letter of interest to Robin Powell at rpowell@westportlibrary.org, no  later than April 25, 2022 indicating how their work and experience  qualify them for consideration as a Trustee. Following receipt of this  material, candidates' qualifications will be reviewed by the Executive  Director and Chair of the Governance and Nominations committee. Those  possessing the skills most needed by the Library will be invited to  attend a meeting to receive more detailed information about the Library  and the Trustee role and be interviewed by the Executive Director, the  Board President and the Governance & Nominations Committee.

Original source can be found here.