TYPES OF BOARDS

In Colorado, there are two types of library boards of trustees: governing and advisory.  A governing board of trustees from a library district:
 

·         Has fiscal and legal responsibility for the control and management of the library

·         Has authority to make policy

·         Hires/fires the library director

·         Has all the powers enumerated in CRS 24-90-109

 

An advisory board, from a home rule municipal or county library, generally makes recommendations on policy to the local governmental entity and acts as a liaison between the library, local government, and the community. It submits the budget and is responsible for submitting the Public Library Annual Report to the State Library each January. The advisory board has the legal responsibilities granted by the local governing entity.

Some advisory boards may have more authority granted to them due to local agreements, circumstances, and history.  Note that written agreements with the local governing entity are the best way to assure that a library board continues to exercise the power it believes it has.