The Library Board of Trustees’ mission is to oversee the administration and operation of the Monterey Public Library program and serve as a conduit for Monterey's citizens to the Monterey City Council in our joint effort to provide superior library service to the citizens of Monterey. In the fulfilling of this mission the Board of Trustees approves the Library’s budgets, maintains and recommends expenditures from the Library Trust Fund, hires staff, reports Library developments and needs to the City Council, and approves and develops policies and procedures for operating the Library and providing support for the Library staff.

The specific responsibilities and duties of the Library Board can be found in The Role of the Library Board document which follows this mission statement:

With regard to the Library program ---

1. Selects all books, magazines, periodicals, recordings, films, pictures, photographs, programs received through electronic media, documents, or any other cultural items for circulation from or study in the Monterey Public Library. (Code, Sec. 7.1a: B.C. Handbook, p.16) --- relegated to the Library Director in the Bylaws, Sec. V

2. Makes and enforces such bylaws, rules and regulations as it may deem necessary for the administration of the Monterey Public Library program. (Code, Sec. 7.1b; B.C. Handbook, p.16) --- “proper and efficient” in B.C. Handbook

3. Appoints and removes the Library Director, who shall be the department head, and any such other library personnel as may be necessary for the operation of the Library program. (Code, Sec. 7,1c; B.C. Handbook, p. 16)

4. Performs such additional duties and has such additional powers as may be prescribed by ordinance or resolution. (Code, Sec. 7.1d)

5. Maintains the Library Trust Fund and recommends expenditures to be made from said fund by the City Council. (Code, Sec. 7.1; B.C. Handbook, p. 16; Policy Manual, Policy #210)

6. Approves the Library’s budgets. (B.C. Handbook, p. 16)

7. Solicits input on Library needs and conveys them to the City Council. (B.C. Handbook, p. 16)

8. States the responsibilities of the Library Director under the directions and review of the Board. (Bylaws, Sec. V)

9. Writes and/or approves policies governing community services and relations, business and finances, personnel, library materials, library operations, and Board operations. (Code, Sec. 7.1b)

 With regard to its own procedures ---

1. Creates bylaws prescribing the operating procedures of the Library /Board with regard to types of meetings, Board officers and their duties, the appointment and terms of committees, the definition of a quorum, the regular order of business at meetings, and the process for amending the bylaws. (Code, Sec 7.1b)

2. Selects its Chair and Vice-chair in accordance with the City Council directive providing for rotation of the chairperson.

3. Provides for orderly procedures for requesting information from the Library Director and the Library staff. (Policy Manual, Policy #602)

4. Complies with Brown Act requirements (California Code 54950.5)

1. Appoints and removes the Library Director, who shall be the department head. (Code 7.1c; B.C. Handbook, p. 16)

2. Establishes the duties of the Library Director as secretary to the Board and the keeper of all Board records. (Bylaws, Sec V)

3. States the responsibilities of the Library Director for the administration of the Library under the direction and review of the Board. (Bylaws, Sec. V)

4. Establishes the Library Director as advisor to the Board and provides that the Library Director shall attend all meetings except those at which the Library Director’s appointment, evaluation or salary is to be discussed. (Bylaws, Sec. V)

5. Evaluates the Library Director. (Policy Manual, Policy #311)

1. Performs such additional duties and has such additional powers as may be prescribed by ordinance or resolution. ((Code, Sec. 7.1d)

2. Is responsible to the City Council for matters pertaining to the Library. (B.C. Handbook, p. 16)

3. As community representatives, solicit input on Library needs and convey them to the City Council, other relevant governmental authorities and the community at large. (B.C. Handbook, p. 16)

4. Maintains the Library Trust Fund and recommends expenditures to be made from said fund by the City Council. (Code, Sec. 7.1; B.C. Handbook, p. 16; Policy Manual, Policy #210)

1. “Except for the Library Board, any comments on operational issues should be provided to staff outside of a commission meeting.” (B.C. Handbook, p. 7)

2. “Because of their special administrative responsibilities, the Library Board of Trustees may indeed direct staff and become involved in operational matters.” (B.C. Handbook, p. 7)

3. The Authority of the Board and Board members is described in Board Policy #601 in the Policy Manual.