The Flathead County Library Alliance is very concerned with politicizing the library Trustee appointment process. We are calling on the County Commissioners to recruit and appoint a qualified resident who will focus on the future stability and integrity of the library. We expect that a qualified Trustee should have the following skills. and characteristics, and we will assist the Commission in identifying the right candidates. 

Passion for the ImagineIF Library mission and strategic vision

• Understands the principles and issues relating to intellectual freedom and equitable provision of public library services
• Commits to freedom of expression and inquiry for all people
• Maintains an awareness of library issues and trends, and the implications for library users
• Adopts mission and policies that reflect the mission and goals of the library
• Committed to public libraries and to the provision of library services within Flathead County

Willingness to serve as an advocate for the needs of ImagineIF Libraries

• Secures adequate funding for staffing, programs and facilities from governing body
• Assists in determination of and advocates for reasonable director and staff salaries and benefits
• Supports library legislation in the state and nation
• Represents the library to the community and local government in a manner to maintain and increase the library’s ability to meet their community’s needs
• Sets 3–5-year goals with a plan focused on meeting community needs

Previous professional or board experience with these processes

• Strategic planning
• Policy development
• Budget development, approval, and oversight
• Evaluating and supervising the executive director
• Establishment of annual goals
• Working with local and state government officials

Knowledge of – or demonstrated ability to learn

• Services the library provides to users
• Pertinent local and state laws
• Montana Library law and standards
• Board governance best practices
• Principles and practices for ensuring the library provides broad and equitable  

access to knowledge, information, and diversity of ideas needed by community members 

• Administrative and financial oversight on a public board
• Robert’s Rules of Order
• Open meeting laws

Ability to Represent the Community

• Non-partisan
• Ability to represent needs and varied interests of the community at large and the library
• Ability to handle opposition and make decisions in the interest of library service
• Ability to act as liaison with the public, interpreting and informing local government, media and public of library services and needs

Demonstrates personal commitment and strong character

• Lends expertise and experience to the organization
• Commits time required to prepare for and participate in meetings, committees and other activities and library functions
• Has strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ensures legal and ethical integrity and maintains accountability

Please join us in sending a message to the Comissioners today.