Mission
To provide access to current informational, educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities that enrich the lives of the members of our community.
Vision The model library in rural Alberta!
Vibrant hub of the community
Accessible doorway to technology, print materials and programs
Advocates of sustainability
Create your futures through us!
Values and Guiding Principles Sustainable
We use teamwork and collaboration to achieve the five pillars of sustainability
(governance, environment, economy, society, culture) adopted by our communities.
If you would like to find out more about sustainability in Olds, please see the Town of Olds website. Access
We will provide equal access to services for all members of the community regardless
of age, culture, physical and mental, educational & financial abilities. Responsive
We are responsive to our public by being creative, innovative and flexible. Integrity
We are accountable to all with trust, respect and high levels of integrity.
Board of Trustees
Chairperson
Al Taylor
Council Representative
Mary
Jane Harper
Tresurer
Lucinda
Watkins
Secretary
Mary McCullough
Members
Lori Jo Graham
Jamie Peterson
Linda Svaling
Rod Reynar
Janey Olson
Vacant Seats (4)
So, you want to join the Library Board...
What does the Library Board do?
Under provincial legislation, the Board is charged with seeking "to provide, in co-operation with other boards, a comprehensive and efficient public library service that reflects the community's unique needs."
The Board has three major roles
To Plan
To Govern
To Advocate
The Board creates a Strategic Plan of Service that guides the operations of the library and assists in planning programs and activities prepared by library staff.
The Board measures the results of the plan and reports on those results.
(Examples: participates in strategic planning workshops and evaluates strategic
plans on a regular basis.)
The Board ensures that the library is managed but does not manage the library.
The Board demonstrates accountability to the funding Councils.
The Board hires and evaluates a library manager.
(Examples: prepares annual budget for town council approval and participates in presentations to local and provincial elected officials)
The Board acts as a bridge between the community and the library.
The Board promotes the library to the community and encourages everyone to use its collections, programs and services.
(Examples: attends library functions and participates in advertising campaigns to further the library profile in the community.)
How much commitment do I need to make?
The library board meets once a month on the third Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm. There are also various subcommittees of the board including personnel, finance, safety, and fundraising. Each member of the board is a member of at least one committee. Finally, there are three executive positions on the board including Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. These positions are up for nominations and renewal on a yearly basis.
Other opportunities include:
The board sends one member a year to the Parkland Regional
Library conference in Jasper. The conference is always the last weekend (Thurs
- Sunday) in April. This is a great opportunity for new board members to get
a large picture of libraries in Alberta and take advantage of a professional
development opportunity.
Parkland Regional Library offers board training workshops. These are a great opportunity for board members to learn what their roles and responsibilities are. It is suggested that each board member attend one of these workshops during their term.
The Parkland Regional Library holds an annual conference each year. This is yet another opportunity for professional development.
The Alberta Library Trustee Association makes available a wide range of learning materials for board members who wish to do some training on their own. You can feel free to check out this
website (http://www.librarytrustees.ab.ca/) to find out more about library boards in general.
So how do I join?
Town Council makes citizen appointments to agencies, boards and commissions,
including Olds Public Library Board. All you need to do is fill out this
application and drop it off at the town office.
Olds Municipal
Library board page; from here you can get to information about Library board minutes, Bylaws and updated policy manuals.
Municipal
Affairs and Housing; the Ministry that Libraries are governed under. Here you will find all the legislative information that you need to know. Example policies, Provincial Library Service information, Directory of Alberta Public Libraries, Library News, Plans of Service examples, System membership, funding information, library histories, and other useful links
Online
copy of the Alberta Library Act and Library
Regulations; These pieces of legislation are what govern libraries and is very important for board members to read and understand. Part 1, 3 and 5 pertain to Municipal Library Boards in the Library Act and Part 1, 3 and 7 in the regulations.
Alberta Libraries
Trustee Association; a support organization for library boards in Alberta. The goal is to help trustees become more informed and effective during their term of office. On this site you will find trustee resources and education, website links, employment and recruitment resources, and event and workshop information.
The Parkland Regional
Library System Website; the Olds Municipal Library belongs to the Parkland Regional Library System. Our municipality and our county pay membership to PRL on our behalf. This is on top of the municipal appropriation contribution to libraries. The PRL website is a source of information about what the library system offers. (Click Public Libraries to find out more about services)
The Alberta
Library (TAL); responsible for the coordination of library service throughout the entire province. Created in 1997, The Alberta Library has grown into an award-winning consortium of over 290 member libraries that work to promote barrier-free access to information, ideas and culture. Members include public, university, college, technical institute and special libraries. Internationally recognized for collaboration and innovation, The Alberta Library is the result of the library community coming together to find better ways of providing services. By being a member of the Alberta Library our patrons have access to any library in Alberta.
The Library Association of
Alberta; provides education and information to board members and staff. They advocate on behalf of libraries and provide valuable materials to libraries. They are responsible for much of the education of libraries and are a major partner in the annual library conference.
The
Alberta Public Library Electronic Network (APLEN);
libraries are connected electronically through the Community Access Program,
SuperNet,
and other electronic resources. APLEN is funding by Alberta Municipal affairs
and is responsible for setting the vision and direction of the program
in consultation with public libraries.
