The Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library will be accepting applications for two new board members beginning October 24, with applications due Monday November 18. One board position is a seven-year term and one is a partial two-year term. Any Cleveland Heights or University Heights resident is eligible to apply.
Applications are available the Heights Libraries Lee Road branch, 2345 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, or by emailing lmallon@heightslibrary.org.
Applications must be returned to the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library administrative office no later than Monday, November 18, by 5 p.m. The office is located at 2345 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights. You may also email your completed application to Nancy Levin at director@heightslibrary.org.
The Cleveland Heights-University Heights School Board will interview candidates on Tuesday, December 3 at 7 p.m.
Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to attend an informational meeting about library board service on Wednesday, November 13, at 7:00 pm, at the Administration Office, 2nd floor, Lee Road Branch, 2345 Lee Road. RSVP to Nancy Levin (216) 932-3600, ext. 1240.
For additional information, contact the Library at (216) 932-3600 ext. 1200.
Additional information for applicants
The following criteria are used in making an appointment to the Board of Library Trustees:
- Consideration will be given to a diversity of interests, a balance of age, sex, ethnic background and socioeconomic levels, geographic distribution and experience and/or knowledge in a variety of fields.
- The Board should strive to include members with professional experience in law, education, marketing, finance/accounting and personnel; practical business experience, executive ability, management skills, and plain common sense; political know–how.
- Because of the requirements of funding and support, consideration will be given to people who are active in community affairs and have access to resources and/or affiliations with other organizations of importance to the library.
- Nominees should have an interest in the work of the public library, a commitment to its goals, a recognition of its importance as a center of information for community culture, recreation and continuing education, and the ability to work as the member of a team. They should be willing to ask questions, offer criticism and make suggestions. They should have the courage to plan creatively.
- A commitment to the concepts of intellectual freedom is essential.
Responsibilities of a Public Library Trustee
Library board members serve a seven–year term and, as a committee of the whole, have the following responsibilities:
Policy Making:
Determine the goals and objectives of the library and methods of evaluating progress toward meeting them.
Administration:
Keep in touch with the library’s progress and problems through reports from the Director and staff, personal use of the library, and feedback from the public.
Budget:
Scrutinize preliminary budget submitted by the Director, make necessary changes, and officially adopt the budget request.
Explore and consider all ways of increasing the library’s income through new sources and by cooperating with other libraries.
Board Meetings:
Attend and participate in all regular and special meetings (open board meetings are held on the third Monday of the month, usually ten times a year).
Attend at least ten committee meetings, including executive sessions, per year.
Public Relations:
- Serve as a “connecting link” between the library and the community, interpreting one to the other.
Attend perhaps five to ten community/professional meetings each year. - Planning for the Library’s Growth:
- Analyze the community and consider the library’s strengths and weaknesses in relation to the community.
- Set goals and adopt short and long–range plans for the library’s growth and improvement of services.
- Set priorities and decide on courses of action to implement plans.
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