Library Board

Mission Statement

The Board, representing the community served by the library, has ultimate responsibility for providing the services needed by the community in an effective, efficient manner. The Board has final responsibility for the library building, determines the roles and policies of the library, delegating administrative responsibilities to the Director. The Board sets the budget request and oversees the expenditure of funds. The Board interprets the community's service needs and the library's financial need to the funding agencies, and may seek to augment funding through public and private means.

Organizational Structure

The Commission shall consist of: Seven of the nine Library Board members are named by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. Two are named by the County Board, and sent to the Mayor and then to City Council for confirmation. Representatives’ terms are for three years, with two terms the maximum.

Meetings are the third Wednesday of every month at 4:30 p.m. in Meeting Room B second floor of the Library.

Member Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the Library Board are set forth in state library law and also in Rochester 's Home Rule Charter. The Charter includes the following responsibilities:

Setting policies and rules for the library (NOT "procedures" which are the way we carry out "policies"). Examples: increasing overdue fees, initiating new services.
Exclusive control of the expenditure of the funds allocated to library purposes by City Council. Examples: approving budget requests before they are submitted to the City, approving any change of plan on how the budget is to be spent.
Acceptance of gifts to be used for library purposes. Decision on what gifts should be transferred to the Rochester Public Library Foundation. Example: memorial gifts are accepted by the Board which determines how they will be spent.
Control of and responsibility for the library building, including maintenance, repair, and, with Council approval, purchase of ground and "erect thereon...suitable buildings for the use of said library". (Title to any library building is vested in the City, however.) Example: the Board has "final say" on the design, furnishings, maintenance and other aspects of the library building, within the limits of available funds.
To "appoint, employ and remove a suitable librarian and necessary assistants...and fix their compensations" subject to the employment procedures established by the Charter or Common Council. Example: the Board hires, evaluates, and may fire the Director and delegates the responsibility for other staffing to the Director
To make an annual report to the Council including a financial accounting and a description of the extent and nature of services provided.
Approve appointments to the Library Foundation Board.

Appointment Requirements

Must be a resident ofRochester.

For Further Information Contact

Purna Gurung
Rochester Public Library
101 2^nd Street SE Rochester MN 55904
Phone: (507) 285-8011