Administration Policies: Community Relations

Administration Policies: Community Relations

Chapter 3. Community Relations

Great River Regional Library will keep citizens informed about library issues and services and obtain feedback about citizen concerns to engage its citizens in the development and use of GRRL services.

 

3A. Friends of the Library/Library Support Groups

Recognizing that Friends of the Library or other library-support groups can generate goodwill for GRRL through lobbying, advocacy, volunteerism and fundraising, GRRL welcomes the interest of these groups, formed for the purpose of preserving and strengthening libraries and creating awareness and appreciation of library services.

 

Books and other materials withdrawn from the library’s collection may be given to the St. Cloud Friends. Such items may then be sold and the proceeds used to fund library programming and services throughout the region.

 

3B. Volunteers

Individuals and groups are encouraged to volunteer their time and energy in the service of the Great River Regional Library. Library volunteers supplement the efforts of paid library staff to provide quality library collections, services and programs and enhance the library’s basic service program by performing various tasks and special projects. Volunteering serves as a method for area residents to become familiar with the library and creates opportunities for individuals to feel personal satisfaction while performing a valuable service for the community.

  1. Volunteers are recruited and selected without regard to race, creed, color, sex, age, disability or relationship to a person with disabilities, marital status or religious or political belief and are assigned according to their ability to satisfactorily meet the requirements of the assignment.
  2. Volunteers are recognized by the public as representatives of the library and shall be guided by the same work and behavior codes as employees.
  3. GRRL volunteers do not have any regular employee status and perform tasks for GRRL without wages, benefits, or compensation. GRRL does not provide workers compensation coverage for volunteers.
  4. All volunteers will complete a volunteer application and must sign a volunteer agreement and release of liability.
  5. Minor children may only work as volunteers with the signed consent of a parent or legal guardian on the volunteer application. Volunteers must be 12 years old.

Volunteers should be used only to enrich budgeted library service programs and not to replace those staff that are employed to provide the library’s regularly funded service.

3C. Organized Groups

Cooperation with organized groups in the community toward realizing the objectives of the library shall be sought and sustained.

 

3D. Citizen Communication

Members of the community with comments and concerns about GRRL are encouraged to share their feedback with GRRL staff or Board members. GRRL accepts feedback by telephone, mail, e-mail and the GRRL website and social media. Citizens may also participate in Public Open Forum sessions during GRRL Board meetings, subject to the Board of Trustees Bylaws.

 

3E. Annual Report

A summary of the activities and services of the library shall be prepared and distributed annually. The annual report shall be made available to the public.

 

3F. Donor Relations

The library will solicit and accept gifts for the benefit of the system subject to the Fund Development Policy.

 

3G. Library Youth Advisory Council

The Library Youth Advisory Council serves as the voice of young people across the region. The council provides input on ways to increase the use and awareness of the library for youth. 

 

The council is comprised of middle school and high school aged students from each community within the GRRL service area. Each county will have at least two youth representatives on the council. Council members are appointed by the GRRL Board to serve a one-year, renewable term. The council meets at least once per quarter.

 

The Youth Advisory Council will:

  • Discuss how to improve current library services and programs for youth
  • Propose new library services and programs to benefit young people

  • Present recommendations to GRRL administration and Board

 

Council members are eligible for travel and per diem reimbursements consistent with the rules set forth for Board members in GRRL bylaws. 

 

Approved Date:       
Effective Date:       
Revised Date: 05/11/10, 03/19/19, 07/18/23

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