Success
If your election passes and a new district is created, there are lots of things that must be accomplished:
Celebrate your accomplishment! Say thank you to all who supported the effort.
Monitor the county commissioners' (and in some cases the city council's) actions that are required to create or expand the district.
Carry out your new service plan.
Publicize the changes that are occurring.
Celebrate
Take some time to savor success. Throw a party because you have worked hard at providing excellent library service for your community.
Thank those who helped, including the county commissioners.
Monitor the County Commissioners and the City Council
Local officials have certain activities that they are required by law to carry out if the election is successful.
After the results have been canvassed, the county commissioners must certify that the district is formed within 10 days.
Within 30 days after the certification, the county commissioners of each county within the district must jointly appoint the initial members of the district's library board. Refer to MCA 22-1-704.
Carry Out Your Long Range Plan
Begin working on the activities you planned. Make any needed changes in personnel structure, policies, and initiating new services. The more planning you did as you prepared for the new district the easier this will be.
ASPeN: The New Library Directory
- Home
- Introduction To Public Library Districts
- What Are Districts?
- Pros And Cons Of Library Districts
- Difference Between Library Districts And Other Types Of Libraries
- Who To Contact For Help?
- Exploring Library Districts and Gauging Support for a District Effort
- Research The Districting Option
- Decide on Whether or Not to Create A Committee To Explore District Option
- Decide on Boundaries and Name of the District
- Decide on Services the District Might Offer
- Create a Budget for the District
- Determine the Amount of Mills You Will Need Levied
- Talk to Local Government Officials
- Talk to Library Supporters
- Decide Whether or Not to Move Forward With the District Option
- Exploring Library Districts Checklist
- Forming a District Group - The Role of Local Government Officials and the New Board
- Create an Official District Planning Group/Committee
- Coordinating Local Government Efforts
- The New Board of Trustees
- Forming a District Group Checklist
- Special Considerations
- Planning for Facilities
- Funding For The First Year
- Accounting, Legal, Maintenance Costs
- Transfer Of Staff And Benefits
- Special Considerations Checklist
- Pursuing the District: Legal Options For Forming A District
- Option 1: County Commissioners Pass a Resolution Putting the Library District Issue on the Ballot
- Option 2: Create the district through a petition process and then a resolution by the County Commissioners
- Develop A Map And Description Of The Boundaries Of The New District
- Decide Upon The Maximum Mill Levy That You Want For The District
- Decide On The Number Of Board Members
- Decide On When You Want To Hold The Election
- Draft The Petition
- Circulate The Petitions And Supporting Materials
- The Hearing With The County Commissioners
- Legal Options Checklist
- Election Process
- Create an Election Committee
- Create an Election Calendar
- Create a Public Relations Plan and Design Public Relations Material
- Present Your Idea to the Community
- Get Out the Vote on Election Day
- Conducting the Election
- Results Certification, Canvassing, and the Creation Order
- Election Process Checklist
- Outcomes Of The Effort
- Success
- Election Fails
- Appendices