Applications Open for Boulder Public Library District Board of Trustee Position
En Español
Deadline for Applications is noon on March 7, 2025.
Submit an Application
Would you like to have a hand in shaping the future of one of our community’s most cherished institutions, the Boulder Public Library? Would you like to volunteer with a wonderful group of people who are dedicated to our community’s welfare in an environment of mutual respect and kindness? (Because that’s what public libraries stand for.)
Applications are now being accepted for two positions on the Board of Trustees for the Boulder Public Library District: one four-year term and one five-year term. The Board strives to reflect the diversity of views and lived experiences throughout our community, and anyone who is 18 years or older, and lives within the library district boundaries, is welcome to apply.
Trustees are expected to be committed to the long-term financial and programmatic success of the library and the library district and to subscribe to the Library Trustees’ Code of Ethics [PDF] and the Library Bill of Rights.
While Trustees generously volunteer their time, they have the option to request reimbursement for eligible travel and service-related expenses. The Board of Trustees typically meets twice per month, (virtually and/or in person) on Tuesday evenings, for one to three hours per meeting. Between meetings, Trustees spend time interacting with community members and library staff, reading meeting packets, and staying abreast of happenings in Library-land among other activities. Trustees may also serve on Board Committees, as Officers of the Board, or as liaisons to the Boulder Library Foundation Board. The Colorado Public Library Trustee website and the Boulder Public Library Trustee Handbook [PDF] have more information and resources.
Interested members of the public can come to an information session with current Trustees on February 18 from 5:00-6:00 PM in the Canyon Meeting Room at the Main Library or through the following link: https://tinyurl.com/yckjjw7v. The application deadline is 12 p.m. on Friday, March 7, 2025. For more information and to apply, visit the Board of Trustees webpage.
The new Trustee will be appointed by a Selection Committee composed of 2 County Commissioners and 2 City Council members. The Selection Committee’s appointment is ratified by the City Council and Board of County Commissioners.
What is a library district?
The Boulder Public Library District is a political subdivision of the state, created by a community vote and governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the City Council and the Board of County Commissioners. Dedicated property tax revenues fund the library district and voters within the district boundaries must approve any new or increased taxes. It is the most common form of governance for public libraries within the State of Colorado.
What are the responsibilities of the Board of Trustees?
The powers and duties of the Library District Board of Trustees are detailed in Colorado Library Law (CRS 24-90-109) [PDF] and include:
- Adopt Board of Trustee bylaws, rules, and regulations
- Be responsible for all library property
- Employ the Library Director
- Adopt an annual budget and make appropriations to support library programs and services
- Accept gifts of money or property for the library
- Hold and acquire land by gift, lease or purchase for the library
- Enter into contracts and borrow funds for library purposes
- Submit an annual report to the community, the City Council, the Board of County Commissioners and the State Library
Celia Seaton, Executive Assistant for the Boulder Public Library, can be reached by email at [email protected] to help address questions about the district or application process.