%1

Contact: Tess Mayer
Director of Library Services
Berkeley Public Library
510.981.6100
tmayer@cityofberkeley.info

Love the Library? Join the Berkeley Public Library Board of Library Trustees
Apply by 5pm on Monday, April 17, 2023

Berkeley, California (March 2, 2023) –The City of Berkeley begins accepting applications tomorrow, Thursday, March 3, 2023, to fill one vacancy on the Berkeley Public Library Board of Library Trustees (BOLT).

Candidates must be residents of Berkeley and should be public library champions, passionate about lifelong learning and community engagement. A demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is essential.

In addition, candidates with leadership, business, management, strategic planning, marketing and/or administrative skills are encouraged to apply.

Role of Trustees

With assistance from the Library Director, Trustees formulate policy and serve as managing agents of the Library Fund. BOLT has the legal authority and responsibility to see that the Library is well-managed, and that it operates in accordance with the Berkeley City Charter (Article VII, Section 30) and Berkeley Municipal Code (Chapter 3.04). Trustees are appointed for a term of four years and must reside in Berkeley. Trustees are required to take an oath of office, file a Statement of Economic Interests, and attend in-person meetings on a regular basis.

To learn more about the Board of Library Trustees in general, review meeting minutes or listen to audio recordings of prior meetings, please visit the BOLT homepage on the Library’s website.

Application Process

Applicants must submit both the General Application and the Board of Library Trustees Supplemental Questionnaire to the City of Berkeley City Clerk by April 17, 2023 at 5:00pm.

Candidates will be interviewed at a public BOLT meeting on a date to be determined, tentatively May 3, 2023, and will then be submitted to City Council for a vote to appoint the Trustees’ recommended candidate during an upcoming City Council meeting.

The new Trustee’s term is anticipated to begin June, 6 2023, in time for the June 7, 2023 6:30pm BOLT meeting.

To learn more about the City of Berkeley’s application process for Board and Commission members visit the City Clerk’s Board and Commission website.

For questions, please contact the City Clerk: clerk@cityofberkeley.info, telephone (510) 981-6900, or TDD (510) 981-6903.

About the Library

At Berkeley Public Library (BPL), we believe free, universal access to information is fundamental to a healthy democracy and that reading and learning are key to a well-lived life. BPL is a trusted hub of reading, learning, and community engagement. BPL values include:

• Public Service
  We are committed to serving the public; we value the power of people helping people.
• Inclusivity
  We welcome and treat everyone with dignity and respect. We are open to the expression of all beliefs.
• Accessibility and Ease of Use
  We are committed to free access to information; no one should be denied access because they cannot afford the cost of a book, a periodical or an online resource. We ensure that our patrons can use our services, collections and programs independently and easily.
• Diversity
  We believe that Berkeley's diversity is its strength (diverse ethnicities, religions, ages, gender identities, occupations, and abilities), and the Library is committed to meeting the needs of our evolving community.
• Community
  We value the power of people coming together.
• Reading and Learning
  We celebrate the joys of reading and lifelong learning.

BPL is currently engaging in a strategic planning process which will build upon these values and will work with patrons and community partners to ensure library services are responsive, accessible, supportive and relevant for our diverse Berkeley communities.

To learn more about Berkeley Public Library programs, services, collections, hours and locations, please visit the Library’s website at http://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org.

###