Disclosure

When you sell a house you are legally obligated to "disclose" problems or issues with the property. You actually have to sign a disclosure statement.

What about when a library board hires a new director? I'm wondering about the "disclosures" required when discussing the position with interview candidates. Shouldn't the board disclose financial challenges, building issues as well as any other problems?

A recent new hire at a local library had "no idea" what she was getting herself into when she was hired. None of the library's building issues or financial challenges were disclosed. The board's "excuse" was that they "didn't know".

Can a library board "get away with" saying "they didn't know"? If a library board is oblivious to the state of a library's financial affairs and/or building issues, then isn't it fair to say that they have violated the Pennsylvania law of "Duty of Care" as a non-profit board?

The Attorney General's Nonprofit Booklet is available online. Since library boards tend to "do" whatever they please, I am encouraging any and all library director candidates interviewing for positions in Pennsylvania to read this booklet and ask the recommended questions at your job interviews.

http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/uploadedFiles/Consumers/nonprofitbooklet.pdf

In addition, ask to see the library's annual audit, annual report, and annual budget (previous year/current year) and at least a year's worth of board meeting minutes. It wouldn't hurt to check the local newspaper for any PR--positive or negative. Do an extensive tour of the library before your interview. Make a list of building issues and potential issues. Do your homework BEFORE you are interviewed and don't forget that the interview is "two-way". "Interview" the board/search committee about fiduciary, policy and building concerns. If you don't, you may find yourself not only in over your head, but hired under false pretenses. You will be stuck in a job you will most surely hate with a board you can't trust.