Table of Contents-Letter-Introduction-Chapters:
1, 2,
3, 4,
5, 6,
7, 8,
9, 10,
11, 12,
13, 14,
15, 16,
17, Glossary,
Internets Links, Calendar
of Events, Freedom
to Read Statement, Index
Laws and Ethics
6
Ethical
Considerations
for Trustees
As a Board member of a public library, you are a public servant. The
public expects that your conduct will always be above question and for the
public good, not for your own interest or another special interest. What's more,
the law demands it.
As mandated by the Constitution of Montana, Montana has a code of
ethics that prohibits conflict between public duty and private interest for
members of the legislature, state employees and local officers. Under the rules of
conduct outlined in this law, trustees cannot disclose or use confidential
information acquired in the course of their official duties for personal gain
or economic benefit, nor accept gifts of substantial value.
MCA 2-2-101 to 2-2-105
In addition to meeting legal requirements, an effective Board will adopt,
and periodically review, its own code of ethics to guide its actions. If your
Board does not have a written code of ethics, you might consider the
following statements as a starting point:
As a public servant and advocate for the public library, I will:
- Work to ensure that the public has equal access to information.
- Work to meet the information needs of the whole community.
- Resist efforts to censor library materials.
- Keep all library policies free of racism, sexism and other bigotry.
As a public servant and representative of the community, I will:
- Attempt to interpret the needs of the community to the library and
interpret the action of the library to the community.
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- Represent the whole community to the library and not a particular
area or group.
- Protect the public's right to open meetings.
- Refer complaints about the library to the proper level in the chain
of command.
As a member of the library Board, I will:
- Listen carefully to other Board members.
- Respect the opinions of other trustees.
- Support the decisions of the Board.
- Recognize that all authority is vested in the Board when it meets in
legal session and not with individual Board members.
- Be well-informed of developments that are relevant to issues that
may come before the Board.
- Call to the attention of the Board any issues that may have an effect
on the library.
- Vote to hire the best possible person to manage the library.
- Not interfere with the duties of the director or undermine the
director's authority.
- Ensure that the library is well maintained, financially secure,
growing and always operating in the best interests of the community.
- Declare any personal conflicts of interest and avoid voting on issues
that appear to be conflicts of interest.
- Not use any part of the library for my personal advantage or the
personal advantage of my friends or relatives.
- Not discuss confidential Board proceedings outside of the Board
meeting.
- Not promise before a meeting how I will vote on any issue to be
decided on during the meeting.
- Work to learn more about the job of a trustee and how to do it better.
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Ethics Statement for Public Library Trustees
ALTA and PLA
Trustees, in the capacity of trust upon them, shall observe ethical
standards with absolute truth, integrity and honor.
Trustees must avoid situations in which personal interests might be served
or financial benefits gained at the expense of library users, colleagues or
the institution.
It is incumbent on any trustee to disqualify himself or herself
immediately whenever the appearance of a conflict of interest exists.
Trustees must distinguish clearly in their actions and statements
between their personal philosophy and attitudes and those of the institution,
acknowledging the formal position of the Board even if they personally disagree.
A trustee must respect the confidential nature of library business while
being aware of and in compliance with applicable laws governing freedom of
information.
Trustees must be prepared to support to the fullest the efforts of librarians
in resisting censorship of library materials by groups or individuals.
Trustees who accept library Board responsibilities are expected to perform
all of the functions of library trustees.
Adopted by the Board of Directors of the Association of Library Trustees and
Advocates (ALTA) and the Board of Directors of the Public Library Association (PLA),
July 1985. Amended by the ALTA Board of Directors July 1988; amendment approved
of by the PLA Board of Directors in January 1989.
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Guidelines for Preserving Public Trust
- Encourage all trustees to attend, perform and take part in Board activities.
- Abide by the time limits of the terms of office for trustees and advise
the appointing authority when those terms are up.
- Keep all library Board meetings open to the public as required by law
and make sure advance notice of Board meetings is given to the public.
- Unless local government audits the library, require a CPA audit once a
year or once every two years. An accountant who has dealt in municipal
affairs should be used.
- Formally adopt written rules and policies. Keep them up to date and
publicize them.
- Vote for proposed actions only when there is sufficient information. If a
trustee abstains, be sure the minutes show the reason.
- Be sure that accurate minutes of each meeting are maintained and that
votes are properly recorded. Take attendance at each meeting.
- Seek outside assistance on technical matters. Obtain the assistance of
the city or county attorney or retain the services of a qualified attorney for
legal matters. Ask the attorney to read the agenda, minutes, policies and
resolutions passed by the Board on a regular basis.
- Publicize trustee actions. Publish minutes, reports and financial
statements in local newspapers or library newsletters to inform the public. Consider
placing copies of the minutes in the public library.
- Trustees should not profit from their appointment to the Board. Avoid
conflicts of interest, such as a trustee acting as the Board's attorney,
investment advisor, banker, insurance consultant, accountant, or a purveyor of
goods and services which the library buys.
6-4
Table of Contents-Letter-Introduction-Chapters:
1, 2,
3, 4,
5, 6,
7, 8,
9, 10,
11, 12,
13, 14,
15, 16,
17, Glossary,
Internets Links, Calendar
of Events, Freedom
to Read Statement, Index