• Represent the community to the library;
• Advocate for the library:
  • To the community at large;
  • To elected officials.
• Work with library administration in planning and setting goals;
• Develop and implement policies that govern library services;
• "Adopt such bylaws, rules, and regulations for their own guidance and for the government of the library." RCW 27.12.210(1)
  • Bylaws should clearly describe the:
    • Purpose of the board of trustees;
    • Officers of the board, election method, their authority, duties, and term of office;
    • Role of the library director in support of the board;
    • Requirements for board members to remain in good standing, such as attendance at regular and special meetings;
    • Cause and process for removal from board membership;
    • Quorum required for a meeting;
    • Procedural rules for conducting meetings, such as Robert's Rules of Order;
    • Requirements of the state open public meetings laws in relation to study sessions, special meetings, executive sessions, notice to the public, etc.;
    • Requirements that implement state public records laws for access to board minutes, policies, planning documents, and other materials;
    • Standing committees, their duties, and membership;
    • Provisions for special committees or task forces that may include members in addition to the board;
    • Regular meeting pattern (e.g., the first Friday of each month);
    • Annual timetable for required activities, reports, reviewing bylaws, library policies, etc.;
    • Process for amending bylaws.

Roles and Authority of Governing and Advisory Boards

Advisory boards in annexed or contracting cities represent their community and its perspectives to the larger library system, providing essential input and assistance in order to assure that services and programs are useful to their community.

Members should be ready to:

• Assist in long range and annual planning
• Initiate and participate in strategic planning for the library
• Serve on library committees
• Recommend and to advocate for budgets and policies that support the community library.
• Assist the library director in policy-level decision-making, in appropriate areas.

Board members are library advocates within their community, representing and promoting the library system services and programs as well as the community library services.

Advisory board meetings are open and public input is encouraged.

The Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington (MRSC) provides helpful information for advisory boards in their online publication, Local Government Citizen Advisory Boards.