Board Governance and Responsibilities
BCR is governed by a 20-member Board of Trustees, comprised of representatives from various types of libraries. BCR's Board is comprised of the state librarian (or their appointee) of each of BCR's 11 member states: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. There is one elected trustee each representing BCR's academic libraries, public libraries, research libraries, special libraries and school libraries; and three elected at-large trustees. Except for the state library agency representatives who serve unlimited one-year terms, trustees are elected to two-year terms by designated voting representatives of BCR's member libraries.
Composition of the Board
The BCR Board is composed of 20 positions. The state library agency of each member state has a designated seat on BCR's Board. If the state librarian does not wish to serve as a trustee, he/she may appoint a staff member to serve instead. In addition to three at-large elected positions on the Board, five trustees hold elected positions representing all public libraries, all academic libraries, all special libraries, all research libraries or all school libraries. The President and CEO is the Secretary-Treasurer of BCR and is a voting member of the Board.
BCR's current strategic priorities are:
- Increase national awareness of BCR among current and high-potential customers, collaborators, influencers and partners.
- Continue redefining and repositioning BCR as a nimble collaborative organization that meets the needs of libraries and other identified constituencies.
- Ensure BCR’s long-term sustainability by growing the collaborative and developing new business ventures that diversify and build on BCR’s core competencies.
- Continue repositioning BCR for the future by making strategic investments in both technology and human resources.
Board Meeting Schedule
September:
- The Board reviews and approves the financial audit.
December:
- A Nominating Committee Chair is appointed to identify other Committee members.
- The Board approves any cost of living increase for staff effective in January.
February:
- The Board reviews the strategic priorities for the organization for the next fiscal year.
- A Nominating Committee is appointed to identify candidates for elections in the spring.
May:
- The Board approves the Program Plan, including the Budget and Capital Expenditures, for the next fiscal year.
- The annual evaluation of the President and CEO takes place.
- The Board approves any funds for merit increases for staff effective in July.
Attendance: Board members should make regular attendance at meetings a high priority. In recent years, at least one board meeting per year has been held virtually via webinar.
Participation: Board materials are distributed via the Internet in advance of the meetings. Members are expected to review these materials prior to the meeting, and to come prepared with questions, comments and suggestions.
Reimbursement: While there is no direct reimbursement for services as a Board member, BCR reimburses for travel expenses incurred in coming to meetings at BCR. Board members can make their own travel arrangements and submit their expenses for reimbursement, or the BCR staff will make travel arrangements upon request.
Financial Policies: The Board has established policies related to the activities of the organization. These policies will be reviewed during the orientation process.
Nominating committee: A Nominating Committee is appointed each year to seek nominations for the BCR Board of Trustees election slate. In addition to one trustee who serves as Chair, Committee members not currently serving on the Board are appointed to the Committee based on the state they represent. This state participation is rotated among the eleven member states with four states being represented each year.
Executive Committee: The Executive Committee is comprised of the Chair, Vice-chair, President and CEO and three other trustees who are elected by the Board. The Executive Committee reviews the Board agenda prior to Board meetings and prepares recommendations for actions to be presented at the Board meeting. The Executive Committee may also participate in other activities as the representative for the entire Board and serves as the Board’s Finance Committee. Officers are elected at the May BCR Board meeting.
Evaluation of the President and CEO: BCR's President and CEO is evaluated by the Board on an annual basis. The Board Chair solicits the input of all trustees and compiles a draft review based on that input. The Board approves the final evaluation and votes on a salary increase or one-time bonus based on the results of the evaluation. The Chair then conducts the face-to-face evaluation of the President and CEO.
