LIBRARY MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Addison Public Library is to foster a love of reading, to promote lifelong learning, and to provide recreational resources.
LIBRARY VISION STATEMENT
The Addison Public Library is the heart of a diverse community, connecting people with ideas and information.
PROCESS FOR DEVELOPING BOARD POLICY
The Board of Trustees, as the governing body, is entrusted with the authority to establish policy for the governance of the Addison Public Library. Board policy establishes the parameters and guidelines for Board members, committees, management, and staff.
The Addison Public Library Board makes an important distinction between Board policies and management policies. Board policies establish the broad parameters within which Board, management, and staff will operate. Management policies, developed and implemented by the Director, outline the specifics of how the organization and staff will operate within Board policy.
Once the Board officially adopts a new Board policy, that policy is the standard for dealing with the subject matter covered by the policy. If an issue comes before the Board that is not in line with existing policy, the issue is out of order and will be considered only in terms of policy change.
MAJORITY VOTE FOR APPROVAL
All policy decisions will be made by majority vote of the Board and only at Board meetings. Before adopting any policy, all Board members will receive a copy of the proposed policy in advance of the meeting at which the vote is to be taken.
SOURCE OF POLICIES
Polices may be recommended to the Board by committees of the Board, individual Board members, or the Director. All proposed polices will be researched to ensure that they are legal and do not contradict already established policy or bylaws of the Addison Public Library. If approved by the Board, policies will be written, coded, dated at time of approval, and included in all copies of the Board handbook.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR ALL POLICIES
All policies proposed to the Board should be tested to consider if the proposed policy is:
Consistent with the mission statement;
Within the scope of Board authority;
Consistent with local, state, and federal law;
Compatible with other policies of this Board;
Necessary for good operations of the Addison Public Library;
Broad enough to cover the subject completely.
ACCOUNTABILITY FOR CARRYING OUT POLICIES
The Director will be accountable to the Board for carrying out these policies, advising the employees of the policies, and making every reasonable effort to see that they are understood, accepted, and complied with.
DISTRIBUTION OF POLICY MANUAL
At all times a copy of the Board Policy Manual will be available in the Addison Public Library office for review and inspection by employees and Board members. An electronic copy will be maintained on the library’s board/staff intranet.
AMENDMENT OR SUSPENSION OF POLICY
Illinois Statutory law requires the Board to establish and review at least biennially a written policy for the selection of library materials and the use of library materials and facilities. Policies will be considered for their accuracy and appropriateness, and recommendations will be made to the Board for amendment, addition, or elimination. Except as otherwise provided by law, any policy of the Board may be suspended, repealed, amended, or waived by a majority vote of the Board, provided that at least two full weeks advance notice has been given of the intention to consider revocation, repeal, waiver, or amendment.