Deadline for applications is March 29
Applications are now being accepted for Board of Trustees positions for the new Boulder Public Library District, which was approved by voters in November of last year. The district includes residents of the City of Boulder and portions of unincorporated Boulder County.
The Selection Committee for the Boulder Public Library District initial board of trustees is seeking applicants with a strong background in the services provided by the Boulder Public Library. This is a new and important opportunity to shape the direction of this new form of library governance and funding.
Trustees are community members who reside in the library district legal service area who are appointed to serve and govern the library district. Once a Board of Trustees is established, it will develop bylaws and governing documents for the district.
The Board of Trustees will be appointed by the Selection Committee, which is comprised of two members of the Board of County Commissioners (Commissioner Marta Loachamin and Commissioner Claire Levy) and two Boulder City Council members (Mayor Aaron Brockett and Council Member Nicole Speer).
The trustees are unpaid positions, but trustees will be reimbursed for necessary travel and expenses directly related to service. It is anticipated that the Board of Trustees will meet twice per month, generally during the day or early evening starting in early May, 2023, for one to three hours per meeting.
The application deadline is 5 PM on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. For more information and to apply, visit the county’s website Boco.org/LibraryDistrict.
What is a library district?
A library district is a political subdivision of the state, created by one or more governmental entities and governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by these entities. Dedicated property tax revenues fund the library district and voters within the district boundaries must approve any new or increased taxes. It is the most common form of governance for public libraries within the State of Colorado.
What are the responsibilities of the Board of Trustees?
The powers and duties of the Library District Board of Trustees are detailed in Colorado Library Law (CRS 24-90-109) and include:
- Adopt Board of Trustee bylaws, rules and regulations
- Have custody of all property of the library
- Employ the Library Director
- Adopt an annual budget and make appropriations
- Accept gifts of money or property for the library
- Hold and acquire land by gift, lease or purchase for the library
- Borrow funds and enter into contracts for library purposes
- Submit an annual report to the establishing entities and the state library
Prior to the Board of Trustees appointment, Boulder County Commissioners’ Chief of Staff Clay Fong can be reached by email cfong@bouldercounty.org or phone at 720-564-2840 to help address questions about the district.
