Library Board

The Atkins Public Library is currently searching for a member to add to their Board of Trustees! If you are interested in joing the Board of Trustees, please fill out the application and return to the library! The application is on the left handside of the page, below the list of  Board Members

In order to provide quality library service to the Community of Atkins, the Atkins

Public Library requires a working team of a Library Director and a Board of Trustees that are informed and make the necessary decisions. It is critical that each person appointed to the Board of Trustees be willing to perform the duties of a trustee. Trustees receive no payment for their work.

The Atkins Public Library Board serves as a liaison between the general public and the Atkins Public Library. The board has the legal authority and responsibility to see that the library is well managed and operates in accordance with the library's by-laws as weil as with policies established by the board itself and laws of the State of Iowa.

The Atkins Public Library is composed of 4 resident members and 1 nonresident (rural) member that are appointed by the mayor of Atkins for a term of 6 years.

Criteria for a Trustee:

*Commit the time that is necessary to carry out the duties of a Trustee. This includes time to become and stay knowledgeable about public library issues, to attend Board meetings, and to carry out Board assignments.

*Be genuinely interested in public libraries and understand the importance of public libraries in  meeting the educational, recreational, and informational needs of the community.

*Understand the local community, its social and cultural needs, and be willing to communicate  those needs to the Board.

*Be able to work with others to reach a common goal.

*Be open-minded, intellectually curious. and respectful of the opinions of others.

*Have the courage to pian creatively and direct the effective implementation of those plans.

*Be able to withstand pressures and prejudice that would restrict or prevent equal library service to all

Duties and responsibilities of the Atkins Public Library Board Members:

*Policy development

*Appoint and evaluate the library Director

*Plan for the future of the library

*Advocating for the library

*Budget oversight

*Developing and implementing a strategic plan