By Pepper Parr
October 11th, 2022
BURLINGTON, ON
The libraries are not what they used to be.
It is a lot more than books.
An afternoon sunset settling on the walls of the New Street Library.
Burlington has an exceptionally good system, the product of good leadership backed up by a Board of Directors that is creative, not afraid of new ideas and fully aware of the role they play in the education and welfare of the wider community.
They are currently looking for new people to join the Board.
If you are interested in helping shape the future of public library service in our community as a Library Board Trustee they would like to hear from you.
This fall, the City of Burlington will invite applications for a four-year term on the Library Board, to start in January 2023. We are hosting a series of information nights for anyone interested in applying.
September 29th at Central Branch
October 17th at Tansley Woods Branch
October 20th via Zoom
What Library Board Members Do
Lita Barrie, Chief Administrative Officer, Burlington Library
The Library Board makes sure that library services are delivered efficiently and effectively – with an eye to the future. Trustees must be able to work towards a vision and think in broad, future-oriented terms while maintaining a commitment to move vision to reality.
Under the Public Libraries Act, the Board:
provides a comprehensive and efficient public library service that reflects the community’s needs
employs and evaluates the ongoing performance of the Chief Executive Officer
determines and adopts written policies to govern the operation and programs of the library
establishes and monitors long range goals and objectives for Burlington Public Library
understands the library’s programs and needs of the community in relation to the library
works with the CEO to prepare a budget to carry out the library’s goals and objectives and presents this to City Council
is aware of local and other laws that affect libraries and play a role in initiating and supporting beneficial library legislation
adheres to the Public Libraries Act, its regulations, and legislation
members attend all Board meetings, and committee meetings as assigned, along with public meetings and events
ensures accurate public records concerning finances, property, and annual reports are on file at the library
may interact with provincial library agencies. Reports regularly to governing officials and the general public.
promotes and advocates the value of public libraries in the Burlington community.
(l-r): Shawna Stolte, Catharine Benzie, Jennifer Tarnawski, Bianca Tse, Brian Kenny, Lindsay Zalot, Nawaz Noormohamed. Absent: Jason Manayathu
What you need to know about applying
The Library does not accept applications for the Library Board.
The City of Burlington will advertise in local papers for our Library Board vacancies. Applications are submitted to the City.
The City will post an online application form closer to the deadline this fall after the municipal election.
If you want to know more about the Library Board, we encourage you to attend one of our information nights. If you are unable to attend a session, you can contact BPL CEO, Lita Barrie, to learn more about our board at 905.639.3611 ext 1103 or barriel@bpl.on.ca
Burligton Library is the very best. We even got a legal decision through them that we could not get anywhere else.