We encourage community members to consider running for library trustee. There are openings for our next municipal election on November 4, 2025. Here is some information that we hope you find helpful. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Lisa Downing, Library Director, for more information, director@forbeslibrary.org or 413-587-1016.
What is the role of a library trustee?
A library board of trustees is a group of citizen volunteers to whom the governing of a public library is entrusted. Board members are the vital link between the library and the community. Trustees are library advocates and leaders in developing service willingly, responsibly, and creatively for all members of the public.
Each trustee brings to the board certain strengths, skills, knowledge, and personal experience which uniquely serve the library. Expert knowledge in a professional or technical discipline is valuable. The board as a whole should represent a broad spectrum of the community. A board consisting of diverse viewpoints assures that the library will serve the total community. Issues and decisions involved in the governing of the modern public library are varied and complex. Certain competencies necessary to accomplish the board’s goals should, ideally, be present in the total composition of the board.
(From the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners Trustee Handbook)
How big of a commitment is it to serve?
A trustee term is 4 years. The trustee board meets 11 times a year often on the third Thursday of the month at 4 PM. In addition, trustees are asked to serve on two committees that vary in the amount of time required from an hour a month on the low end to a few hours a week during the busiest times. Current committees include Building and Grounds, Coolidge Standing Committee, Development, Finance, Personnel, and Racial and Social Justice. Lastly, trustees are asked to attend events to represent the library from time to time.
What support will I receive in this role?
Trustees are provided with an orientation and ongoing training from library administration, fellow trustees, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Additional support can be provided for technology, transportation, and other needs.
How do I become a trustee?
Trustees are elected on the city ballot with positions open every two years. In the event of a vacancy between elections, the trustees may appoint people to serve on the board. Here are the steps to run for elections:
- Fill out Candidate Request Form for Nomination Papers
- Make an appointment to get nomination papers from the City Clerk’s office unless you have chosen to have them mailed. These papers need to be notarized.
- Get at least 50 signatures from registered voters. It is recommended to get more than this in case any of them fail certification.
- Turn your nomination papers in for certification to the Registrar of Voters by 7/21/2025.
- Pick up your nomination papers after certification and submit them to the City Clerk by 8/4/2025.
(From the Northampton City Clerk Becoming a Candidate For Nomination
What skills and experiences are required to be a successful trustee?
Successful trustees maintain a working relationship with the community, local government, library staff and fellow trustees. Trustees take their responsibilities as public officials beyond the library board room. An effective trustee is one who participates intelligently in the entire political process: understanding municipal finance, local budgetary pressures, personnel concerns, and the administrative practices of the municipality as a whole. A library board which recognizes that the library is not an island, but part of a larger municipal structure, will build stronger partnerships within the community it serves.
(From the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners Trustee Handbook)
Forbes Library seeks a board composition that reflects the diversity and interests of the community at large with members that are committed to upholding the library’s values of being welcoming, equitable, and inspiring for our community. The most important quality of a library trustee is someone who values the public library.