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Structure
Audrey Betcher, Director, Rochester Public Library
At yesterday's SELCO Advisory Committee meeting Teri [Hill] asked for input about structure, so I am putting some thoughts together.
The current SELCO board structure perpetuates a negative cycle of involvement among its members.
Because the board is so large and only meets four times per year with minimal contact between meetings, it can be difficult for members to get engaged, stay engaged, and, as a result, truly understand the big picture of SELCO's missions, goals, and values. Without being totally connected, the full board can only operate in a "rubber-stamp" fashion.
Big decisions are made at the committee level. This works well because committees are small with active, involved members (typically veteran "insiders" who truly understand SELCO.) However, this leads to an under-utilization of the majority of the board and continues the cycle of ineffectiveness and disengagement at the full board level.
I participate in a highly-functioning board that uses the John Carver model of policy governance. I encourage the Structure Committee to evaluate it seriously as a model. It changes the work of committees so that the full board retains ownership of all discussions that set direction and make policy.
Angela Taylor, Administrative Services Manager
The following September Structures Study notes were approved at the November meeting:
Angela Taylor, Administrative Services Manager
The following materials were distributed for the upcoming Structures Committee meeting on November 24, 2008:
Ann B. Hutton, Executive Director
The NonProfit Times’ October 20 weekly newsletter offers a
quick tip for nonprofits
suggesting they undertake a comprehensive compliance assessment that includes
five basic items. To each, SELCO can
respond in the affirmative!
- SELCO’s Form 990 returns are up-to-date.
- We respond quickly to any correspondence or inquiries from state or federal authorities.
- SELCO carefully differentiates between independent contractors and employees, as is evidenced by the hiring of regular, short-term staff for SELCO joint project with the Chatfield Brass Band and Music Lending Library.
- All tax payments are complete and timely.
- SELCO recently completed a salary study and adjusted each tier of the pay schedule to be comparable with other area library organizations, including the salary of the Executive Director.
Ann B. Hutton, Executive Director
Minnesota Statutes define how regional library boards are established, as well as duties and responsibilities. The SELCO bylaws offer specific details on the compostion of the board and the requirements to serve as a member of the corporation's Board of Directors. Additional details and historical perspective are outlined in the Composition of the SELCO/SELS Board of Directors (PDF 66KB).
Sara Berquam, Business Assistant
The following materials were distributed at the Committee meeting on Monday, September 22, 2008. The August Committee meeting notes were approved.
- Final August Meeting Notes (PDF 24KB)
- Kasson Response (PDF 122KB)
- Owatonna Response (PDF 74KB)
The above responses were written in response to the Nilson comments (PDF 23KB)
Ann B. Hutton, Executive Director
These additional materials were distributed at the September 22, 2008 Structures Committee meeting.
- Minnesota Rules 3530.1000 Criteria for Eligibility (PDF 75KB)
- FY2008 SELCO Delivery Cost Summary (PDF 47KB)
- A Letter from Susan Hart, Rushford Public Library Director, to Gretchen Schade, Member of the SELCO/SELS Board of Directors appointed by the Rushford Public Library and a Member of the Structures Study Committee to be shared with the Committee
Ann B. Hutton, Executive Director
Soutcentral Minnesota Inter-Library Exchange (SMILE) and Traverse des Sioux Library System (TdS) continue their discussions about a multitype and public library system merger and recently shared additional details about a pilot project.
- SMILE - TdS Merger Pilot Project, August 2008 (PDF 13KB)
- Proposed SMILE - TdS Merger Governance Structure (PDF 15KB)
Ann B. Hutton, Executive Director
SELCO has received an additional resolution from a library board as part of the discussion of a possible merger of SELCO and SELS.
- Northfield Public Library, received September 19, 2008 (PDF 73KB)
The following materials were distributed for the Structure Study Committee meeting on September 22, 2008:
Ann B. Hutton, Executive Director
Library systems are not a new concept nor are they unique to Minnesota. As John DeBacher, Public Library Administration Consultant with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction describes, “The 17 regional Public Library Systems serve, by definition, public libraries, although all help to coordinate services and resource sharing among all types of libraries and most extend their continuing ed programs to staff of other libraries in their region. Wisconsin currently provides about $16 million in direct funding for the library systems.”
Mr. DeBacher has recently drafted a segment for a new online resource entitled, Administrative Essentials: A Handbook for Public Library Directors, copyright 2008, which offers details about Wisconsin’s library systems including system benefits, history, library and county membership requirements, and required system services. He includes a general statement on what constitutes a good system member, recommending each library should evaluate, participate, cooperate, and contribute. The Handbook is being created with assistance from an advisory panel.
Ann B. Hutton, Executive Director
As part of the public discussion on a possible merger of SELCO and SELS, several public library boards passed resolutions supporting the Statement on Structure Study as affirmed by the SELCO Advisory Committee. Shared with SELCO staff are resolutions from the following public library boards.
- LeRoy Public Library, received September 11, 2008 (PDF 36KB)
- Owatonna Public Library, received August 29, 2008 (PDF 141KB)
- Kasson Public Library, received August 28, 2008 (PDF 121KB)
- Rochester Public Library, received August 25, 2008 (PDF 44KB)
- Stewartville Public Library, received August 22, 2008 (PDF 150KB)
- Buckham Memorial Library-Faribault, received July 18, 2008 (PDF 116KB)
Ann B. Hutton, Executive Director
A Summary of Individual Comments as part of a public discussion on the possible merger of SELCO and SELS held August 28, 2008 at the SELCO Office. (PDF 59KB)
Ann B. Hutton, Executive Director
On August 25, 2008, the Structures Study Committee approved responses to six questions regarding the possible merger of SELCO and SELS. The questions were presented to the Committee, along with a list of affirmations, following the special meeting of public library directors on August 5, 2008.
Ann B. Hutton, Executive Director
These materials were distributed at the Committee meeting on Monday, August 25, 2008.
- SELCO Advisory Committee meeting attendance (PDF 25KB)
- Committee Framework proposed during the FY 2001 strategic planning process (PDF 65KB)
- Possible Multitype Meeting Framework based on comments received thus far during the public discussions of a possible merger of SELCO and SELS (PDF 75KB)
