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 librarians of each of BCR's 11 member states: Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. There is one trustee each representing BCR's academic libraries, public libraries, research libraries, special libraries and school libraries/processing centers; and three at-large trustees. Except for the state librarians, 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 19 positions. The state librarian of each member state is automatically on BCR's Board. The state librarian may appoint an alternate to attend BCR Board meetings in his/her place. 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 and processing centers. The President and CEO is the Secretary-Treasurer of BCR. Other management staff may also attend and participate in Board meetings.
Relationship of BCR's OCLC Members Council representatives to the BCR Board
Three OCLC Members Council representatives are elected by the BCR OCLC members to represent their concerns. OCLC Members Council representatives are not members of the Board, and they do not vote. They are highly encouraged to attend and participate in the Board's meetings to keep abreast of Board and member concerns, and also to update the Board on issues that are of concern to the BCR Board and BCR members. They do not participate in executive sessions held by the Board.
BCR's current strategic priorities are:
1. Increase visibility and awareness of BCR among current and high-potential customers, collaborators, influencers and partners.
2. Redefine and reposition BCR as a nimble collaborative organization distinct from OCLC that meets the needs of libraries and other identified constituencies.
3. Provide greater benefit to libraries and increase BCR’s long-term sustainability by developing new earned income products and services that diversify and build on BCR’s core competencies. Develop a corporate culture to continuously market test, launch and assess new ventures.
4. Begin repositioning BCR for the future by making significant investments in both technology and human resources.
Board Meeting Schedule
September:
- The Board reviews and approves the financial audit.
December:
- The Board reviews the strategic priorities for the organization.
- A Nominating Committee is appointed for the next calendar year.
February:
- The Board reviews a preliminary budget for the next fiscal year.
- The Board approves any cost of living increase for staff effective in January
May:
- The Board approves the Operating Plan, Price List and Operating Budget for the next year.
- The annual evaluation of the President and CEO takes place at the May meeting.
- The Board approves any merit increases for staff effective in July.
Attendance: Board members should make regular attendance at meetings a high priority.
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 investments and staff compensation. These policies will be reviewed during the orientation process.
Nominating committee: A Nominating Committee is appointed each year to seek nominations for both the BCR Board election slate and the slate for electing OCLC Members Council representatives. In addition to one trustee, members 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 President, Vice-president, President and CEO and three other trustees who are elected by the Board. The Executive Committee reviews the Board agenda for the following day and prepares recommendations for actions to be presented at the Board meeting. The Executive Committee may also participate in other activities as a representative for the entire Board. 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 President 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 President then conducts the face-to-face evaluation of the President and CEO.
