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Russell Library governance committee approves 2024–25 schedule and plans pilot board self-evaluation
Summary
The Russell Library Governance Committee unanimously approved its 2024–25 meeting schedule and agreed to pilot an evaluation of trustees using an Association of Connecticut Library Boards questionnaire, hosted in a shared Google Doc and circulated to the full board for feedback before the November meeting.
The Russell Library Governance Committee unanimously approved a draft meeting schedule for 2024–25 and agreed to pilot a board self-evaluation based on a questionnaire from the Association of Connecticut Library Boards (ACLB).
Chair Jennifer called the meeting to order Oct. 9 and presented the ACLB assessment as a starting point, saying she would place the tool in a shared Google Doc for committee edits. "I think what I'd like to do is probably put these questions into that Google Doc as a starting point," she said, adding the committee could pare or adapt questions before distribution.
Eamon, speaking as board president, said a light, informal process could surface perspectives not heard in regular meetings without overburdening trustees. "I think it might be a good idea to have a more formal process, so that everyone's voices are heard," he said, and suggested using the ACLB tool as a pilot rather than embarking on a large project.
Brandy, who prepared the meeting materials, and other members cautioned against a lengthy questionnaire and recommended keeping the initial version short to maximize completion rates. Anne asked that any emailed questionnaire include an introduction explaining the purpose (individual reflection, board discussion or both).
The committee agreed the governance committee would assemble a pared version of the ACLB questionnaire in the Google Doc, suggest cuts rather than rewrite questions, and aim to distribute the pilot to the full board in time for the November board meeting. The chair said members should review the draft before the end of October so it can be shared with trustees, and the committee will use responses as a springboard for discussion rather than a graded evaluation.
Outcome and next steps: The committee approved the 2024–25 meeting schedule by unanimous consent and assigned the chair to prepare the Google Doc and a draft introduction; members will review the ACLB questions and return suggested edits before distribution. The governance committee will report the pilot's structure to the full board at the next board meeting.
