History of the Formation of the Boulder Library District
Board Appointments
In March 2023, the Boulder City Council and the Board of County Commissioners for Boulder County invited residents to apply to serve on the Boulder Public Library District Board of Trustees. The Selection Committee for the Boulder Public Library District’s initial board of trustees sought applicants with a strong background in the services provided by the Boulder Public Library (BPL).
The Boulder County Board of County Commissioners ratified the appointments of seven board members at a Business Meeting on May 2, 2023 and Boulder City Council ratified the appointments at their May 4 meeting:
5-year term: Benita Duran City of Boulder
5-year term: Jennifer Yee Unincorporated Boulder County
4-year term: Sylvia Wirba City of Boulder
4-year term: Doug Hamilton City of Boulder
3-year term: Cara O’Brien Unincorporated Boulder County
2-year term: Sam Fuqua City of Boulder
1-year term: Joni Teter City of Boulder
Library District Board
Desirable qualifications for candidates included an understanding of financial matters and experience with real and personal property acquisition and disposition. Library district trustees are expected to be committed to the long-term financial and programmatic success of the library district. Library district trustees must be at least 18 years of age and a resident within the legal service area of the library district.
The initial library district board of trustees will represent the library district in negotiating an intergovernmental agreement addressing the transfer to the library district of the assets and liabilities held by the City of Boulder for the benefit of BPL, including all real and personal property; transitional costs and cost reimbursement; the provision of support and technology services during the transition; the transfer of BPL employees to the library district; and the other rights and responsibilities of the parties. The intergovernmental agreement may include other aspects of governance.
The library district board of trustees serves without pay but will be reimbursed for necessary travel and expenses directly related to service. A total of seven trustees will be selected: one trustee for a one-year term, one for a two-year term, one for a three-year term, two trustees for four-year terms, and two trustees for five-year terms.
The library district board of trustees will adopt bylaws, rules, and regulations for its own guidance, and policies for the governance of the library district. The trustees employ a director and other employees at the director’s recommendation as necessary. A full list of the powers and duties of the library district board of trustees can be found on the county’s website. The Colorado Public Library Board & Trustee Handbook has additional information and resources for a library district board of trustees and can be found on the Colorado Department of Education website.
It is anticipated that the initial library district board of trustees will meet twice per month, generally during the day or early evening starting early May 2023, for one to three hours per meeting. There will likely be additional work outside regularly scheduled board meetings.
The initial library district board of trustees was selected by the Selection Committee which is made up of two Boulder City Council members and two Commissioners of the Board of County Commissioners for Boulder County. The trustees must be ratified by a two-thirds majority of the Boulder City Council and a two-thirds majority of the Board of County Commissioners for Boulder County.