Whose Library is it?

Do you find yourself "begging" library board members to participate, contribute and be more active?

Are your Friends somewhat "unfriendly" at times?

Do staff members spew negative comments about the library both outside in the community and inside the library?

If your answer is NO, then WONDERFUL! Everyone in your library's world "gets it" and you can focus on doing new, fun things and moving the library forward.

If your answer is YES, then you have your work cut out for you! Sorry! Answering yes means that you are surrounded by people that "don't get it". What is "it" you ask...

"It" is that the library revolves around the community and it's needs, NOT the board's, NOT the Friends', and most certainly NOT the staff's.

So, what can you do to change it? It won't happen overnight, but it needs to happen. Start with the board. Need things "done"?--form committees of movers & shakers from within the community that love the library and can get things done. This is also a good testing ground for future board members. When someone's term is up, identify candidates that would make good replacements from your working committees. And, yes, term limits are something that help you accomplish this. You need a mechanism for getting rid of board members that don't "get it". They are a liability to the library's present and future. Yes, yes, but what about the board members that you want to keep? Transition them over to the Friends! Let them help you redirect the Friends and recruit more library-friendly Friends. The ultimate goal is to have everyone "singing the same song". And, yes, that includes the staff.

So what about the staff? You are probably "stuck" with staff you inherited. But actually the majority of them will be positive and on board for the right reasons. The nay-sayers are the minority, but also a very powerful poison...if you let them. The key is to "not let them"! Rally the staff members that get it! Work towards moving the library forward, implement new programs & services to meet community needs. Rearrange, update, upgrade and rattle the cage a bit. The nay-sayers will either get on board (albeit reluctantly) or they will "get off the bus!" The key is to not let the negative drive the bus.

So, whose library is it?