The current Board of Trustees for the Gibson Memorial Library are:
- President: Ann Coulter
Term expires: 7/01/2025 - Vice President: Connie Maxson
Term expires: 7/01/2027 - Board Member: Melissa Levine
Term expires: 7/01/2028 - Board Member: Angel Sorden
Term expires: 7/01/2029 - Board Member: Cindy Gomis
Term expires: 7/01/2025 - Board Member: Rebecca Slick
Term expires: 07/01/2029 - Board Member: Steven Lane
Term expires: 07/01/2025 - Union County Representative: Alyssa Love
Term expires: 7/01/2028 - Union County Representative: Steve Chamberlain
Term expires: 07/01/2029
Unless otherwise noted, the library board meets in the Genealogy Room at 5:15pm on the first Monday of every month.
- City Council Liaison: Josh Thompson - Creston Ward 2 Representative
- City Council Liaison Back-up: Jocelyn Blazek - Creston Ward 1 Representative
City Council Liaison represents the City Council.
Library Board of Trustees Volunteer Application
Gibson Memorial Library Board Trustee Brochure
Iowa Library Trustee's Handbook 2021
PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARDS HAVE FIVE PRIMARY ROLES:
1. Advocate for the library in the community and advocate for the community as a member of the library board. To be a library advocate is to work for the betterment of library services for the community. Advocacy includes working to obtain adequate funding for the library; pursuing opportunities to meet and speak with community groups; getting to know the mayor and city council; making sure the community’s needs and interests are paramount when making board decisions.
2. Plan for the future of the library. Planning is one of the most important trusts that the community gives to the library board. Planning is deciding what is going to happen with library services over the next few years. It is taking charge of the library’s future and creating it to be responsive to what the community needs.
3. Monitor and evaluate the overall effectiveness of the library. The community puts its trust in the library board to make sure the library is operating the way it should. For example, the library board is familiar with the library’s budget - where the money is coming from and how it will be spent. The board monitors monthly financial reports and approves the bills so they can be paid. The board also helps determine whether the community is satisfied with the service received from the library.
4. Set library policies. The library board spends much of its time on policy issues - developing policies and monitoring the effectiveness of those policies. (Policy is a carefully designed, broadly stated, written guideline for actions and decision of the library.) Once adopted by the board, library staff carries out the policies on a day to day basis.
5. Hire and evaluate the library director. The board hires a qualified director to manage the day-to-day operations of the library and works with the director, carefully respecting each other’s roles. The board also regularly evaluates the director to make sure the library operates well and in the best interest of those the library serves.
Library Board Agendas
Patrons and the media can find current Board Agendas here.
Thumbnail | Title | Date Posted |
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9.9.2024 GML Board Agenda.pdf | 9/16/24 | |
8.5.2024 GML Board Agenda.pdf | 9/16/24 | |
7.1.2024 GML Board Agenda.pdf | 9/16/24 | |
6.3.2024 GML Board Packet.pdf | 9/16/24 | |
5.6.2024 GML Board Agenda.pdf | 9/16/24 |
Library Board Minutes
Patrons and the media can find past, and approved, board minutes here.
Thumbnail | Title | Date Posted |
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2023 Oct. 24 GML Board MInutes.pdf | 12/7/23 | |
2023 Oct. 16 GML Board Minutes.pdf | 12/7/23 | |
2023 Nov. GML Board Minutes.pdf | 12/7/23 | |
2023 May GML Board Minutes.pdf | 12/7/23 | |
2023 Mar. GML Board Minutes.pdf | 12/7/23 | |
2023 Jan. GML Board Minutes.pdf | 12/7/23 | |
2023 Feb. GML Board Minutes.pdf | 12/7/23 | |
2023 Aug. GML Board Minutes.pdf | 12/7/23 | |
2023 Apr. GML Board Minutes.pdf | 12/7/23 | |
2021 GML Board Minutes.pdf | 1/4/22 | |
2020 GML Board Minutes.pdf | 2/8/21 | |
2019 GML Board Minutes.pdf | 8/26/20 | |
2018 GML Board Minutes.pdf | 8/26/20 | |
2017 GML Board Minutes.pdf | 8/26/20 | |
2016 GML Board Minutes.pdf | 8/20/20 | |
2015 GML Board Minutes.pdf | 8/20/20 | |
2014 GML Board Minutes.pdf | 8/20/20 | |
2013 GML Board Minutes.pdf | 8/20/20 | |
2011 - 2012 GML Board Minutes.pdf | 8/20/20 | |
2008 - 2010 GML Board Minutes.pdf | 8/20/20 |