WVLA ANNUAL CONFERENCE CANAAN VALLEY RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER OCTOBER 5-7, 20145 ARE WE LEGAL?...
-
Upload
rachel-howard -
Category
Documents
-
view
215 -
download
0
Transcript of WVLA ANNUAL CONFERENCE CANAAN VALLEY RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTER OCTOBER 5-7, 20145 ARE WE LEGAL?...
WVLA ANNUAL CONFERENCECANAAN VALLEY RESORT & CONFERENCE
CENTEROCTOBER 5 -7 , 20145
ARE WE LEGAL?Presenter: Karen GoffExecutive Secretary
West Virginia Library Commission
WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES
Discuss the Legal and Ethical Responsibilities of Trustees
Explore Risks of Liability
Review Ways to Minimize Risks of Liability
KEY IDEAS
1. The library is an essential educational institution.
2. Good governance is a necessity.
3. Boards are responsible for overseeing the library in legal, ethical manner.
West Virginia Public Library Trustees Manual
www.librarycommission.wv.gov
BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES
The Duty of Care
Act in good faith
The Duty of Loyalty
Allegiance to the Institution
The Duty of Obedience
Fulfill the mission; comply with law
BASIC ETHICAL OBLIGATIONS
WHAT ARE SOME ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES?
Example
“We recently had a trustee openly criticize a
board decision to move forward with a
building referendum in the local paper, he
went as far as to actively urge voters against
the proposition.”
BASIC LEGAL OBLIGATIONS
WHAT ARE SOME LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES
OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES?
PROBLEMS
WHAT ARE SOME LIABILITY RISKS
FACED BY LIBRARY TRUSTEES?
MINIMIZING LIABILITY
MINIMIZINGLIABILITY RISKS
Have Adequate Directors & Officers Insurance
MINIMIZING LIABILITY
MINIMIZINGLIABILITY RISKSRetain a Library
Attorney
MINIMIZING LIABILITY
MINIMIZINGLIABILITY RISKS
Avoid (real or perceived)
Conflict of Interest
MINIMIZING LIABILITY
MINIMIZINGLIABILITY RISKS
Careful Financial Oversight
Guardians of a Public Trust; Guardians of Public Funds
Library Financial Records are Public Information
MINIMIZING LIABILITY
MINIMIZINGLIABILITY RISKSDevelop, Review, and Update
Legally Defensible
Policies
MINIMIZING LIABILITY
MINIMIZINGLIABILITY RISKS
Know Key Federal, State, and Local Laws/Regulations
that Affect the Library
MINIMIZING LIABILITY
MINIMIZINGLIABILITY RISKSINTELLECTUAL
FREEDOM
RESOURCES
West Virginia Library Trustees Manual 2012. www.librarycommission.wv.gov Enter Trustee Manual in search box.
Trustee Academy Training Modules (videos) www.librarycommission.wv.gov Enter Trustee Academy in search box.
1) Overview of Public Libraries & Trustees
2) Law & Policy
3) Care & Feeding of the Library Director
Short Takes for Trustees. 10 Videos with Resource Guides. Each Video 9-10 minutes long. Designed by United for Libraries, a Division of the American Library Association (ALA). Contact WVLC Library Development Services for access information.