Current Board Members back to top
Position	Member	Term of Office
President:	Brian Hartson	July 2005– June 2010
Vice President:	Michael Borges	July 2005 - June 2010
Secretary:	Douglas Morrissey	July 2007 – June 2012
Treasurer:	Ellen Sanchez Doolin	July 2003 – June 2008
Board Members:
	John Daly	July 2003 - June 2008
	Vishnu Chaturvedi	September 2007 - June 2008
	Barbara Fraterrigo	July 2004 - June 2009
	Robert E. Ganz	July 2006 - June 2011
	Diane Rosenbaum-Weisz	October 2006 – June 2011
	Nancy Streeter	July 2007 – June 2012
	Carroll Valachovic	July 2007– June 2012
Trustee Emeritus:	Albert Brevetti
	Merry Sparano

Please click on photo for larger picture

Election To A Vacancy back to top

The information listed below relates only to members of the public interested in running for a permanent Board seat in May. These may be incumbents or new candidates. When a vacancy is available, you may give copies of the attached to anyone expressing interest. They may have a copy of the bylaws if requested. Biographical information need not be separately submitted in this case.

Bylaws, like other policies, can be copied and given to anyone who requests them. PACKETS ARE PREPARED BY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND AVAILABLE IN MARCH/APRIL OF EACH YEAR.

1. Packets may be picked up at School District offices on State Farm Road or at the Library. Anyone picking up a packet must sign their name, address and phone number on a sheet that will be provided. This information is retained by the School District and is required. Each packet includes a two page informational sheet titled On Being a Board Member, which gives prospective candidates an idea of what the position entails. There is also a two page biographical information sheet, which has a deadline on it. We include this information in our publicity about the budget and board election; ask that they include a photo, preferably black and white. Each person picking up a packet should be encouraged to read all the information completely.
2. Any questions, they may call the Director or the School District Clerk (456-6200).

9/29/00

Appointment To A Vacancy back to top

1. Provide the person with a copy of On Being a Board Member: Responsibilities and Opportunities (attached). (This is for anyone asking for information in person; if they call, this document, and others listed below, may be mailed if requested; inform the Director or Assistant Director). Provide the person with a copy of the bylaws (if requested). A cover letter should be sent to the Library, in care of the Board President.
2. Inform the person that an interview process may be set up should a vacancy occur during the year. Vacancies are filled by appointment until June 30 when a new fiscal year begins. Candidates for permanent seats must run for public election, usually held in May of the following year.

Questions? The person may contact the Board President by mail here at the Library, or speak with the Director. If necessary, we can call the Board President and have him/her contact the applicant directly.9/29/00

Responsibilities and Opportunites of Board Member back to top

In his preface to Handbook for Library Trustees of New York State (1995), then-State Librarian Joseph Schubert wrote “Trustees of public libraries have never carried greater responsibility or had a greater opportunity for public service. Technology, our economy, and domestic and international developments are changing every sector of American life, including library services. . .Trustees’ decisions affect the lives of people and the future of their communities. A good public library benefits the entire community. It extends opportunity for people of all ages.”

As you contemplate becoming a member of the Guilderland Public Library Board of Trustees, we would like to provide you with some information regarding responsibilities in particular. Some of these responsibilities are unique to our library, others are shared with public libraries in New York State. The main charge to the Board is to set policy for the Library, which is then administered by the Director. Each plays a different role.

• Meetings. The Board meets once every month, including summer months, the second Thursday, usually at 7:30 p.m. These are regularly scheduled meetings; occasionally we may hold special meetings, or may set an earlier starting time to accommodate a full agenda. Meetings are approximately three hours in length, although they may last for four hours or more. Participation. This is a working board, and all members are expected to attend. Eleven members are on the Board, and seven are required for a quorum. Your presence on a regular basis is absolutely necessary not only to allow the Board to conduct the business on its agenda, but to facilitate full exploration of issues before the Board. Interaction between Board Members and the Director is vital to this process. Committee Meetings. There are five standing committees: Finance; Personnel/Labor/Management; Policies and Procedures; Building and Grounds; and Long Range Planning. Each Board Member is expected to serve on a minimum of two committees; each committee usually meets once each month. Ad Hoc committees are also common, and may exist for a period of several months until their charge is completed. In addition, Board Members must often conduct assignments or tasks outside of the committee or Board time allotted. Issues. Some of the issues we are currently working with and contemplate in the future include: full implementation of contractual obligations with CSEA unionized staff; resolution of building issues; long range planning (which may include meetings with local officials regarding development, traffic, drainage, etc.); future expansion of the Library and parking lot development; and continuing review of existing policies and development of new ones.
• Additional Opportunities. Board Members are expected to volunteer their time for all of the above activities, and others as well. These might include lobbying for libraries with their legislators, working with our Friends of the Library group, and participating in related library events, such as the annual book sale, a lecture series, book discussions, and the like. One of our Board Members also volunteers as our representative to the Upper Hudson Library System (a cooperative system to which our library belongs), which requires another schedule of meetings, both Board and committee. We also expect that community involvement will result in Board Members making family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues aware of the value of their library and its services, and becoming strong advocates. Board Members are some of our biggest promoters.

A realistic picture of being a Board Member includes many challenges, but great rewards as well. The position will be what you make of it. It takes time to become fully aware of all that goes into being a trustee. We would encourage you to ask questions, especially of other Board Members, talk to the Library Director, take a tour of the Library, read the policy handbook, and review the bylaws. This will give you an excellent start on this exciting new venture.

Vacancies on Board

There are currently three openings for five-year terms on the Board; these vacancies will be filled by the election that will be held May 20, 2008.

Meeting Minutes back to top
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