Create and adopt an action plan

The board, director, and staff need to create an action plan. It doesn't have to be fancy, but it does need to list your to-do's for the next year and a half. As you can see from the handbook there is a lot that needs to be accomplished. The board, director, and staff need to identify those things, and the board needs to at least review the plan if not officially adopt it.

Where appropriate board members should volunteer to complete some of the duties listed on the action plan. Certainly the board will be responsible for adopting new policies, certain public relations duties, and overseeing the process. However there may be other duties where board members can help. For example obtaining insurance quotes or volunteering to review various documents that are being created. Each library is different and the board and director will need to find a healthy balance that works well for board members, the director, staff, and the community.

Board members need to frequently review the plan and check on the state of progress toward implementing it. When necessary board members may need to assist with certain duties, encourage staff to complete a duty, or in some cases remind staff and the director to be patient. Some items on the action plan will be relatively straightforward while others will take longer. This is a normal part of the process. The board is responsible for making sure that things are completed, but board members need to recognize that things are fairly fluid. There will need to be many adjustments along the way.