GPL Board of Trustees

Library Board Definition

Under the powers of administrative/governing boards granted by law, the Library Board makes operating and administrative policies. The board acts as an agent of public trust governing the library.

The Gretna Public Library Board of Trustees serves as a citizen-led governing body that oversees the creation of policies and functionality of the Library. The Board acts as a “checks and balances” system for the Library, and must approve all reports submitted by the Library Director before they can be turned into the City of Gretna. The Library Director is responsible for the internal management, daily operation and procedures of the library. The Director exercises professional judgment under the direction and the review of the Library Board to implement the goals, objectives and policies set by the Library Board.

Essentially, the Library Board is a link between GPL and its community. Board members serve as library advocates and leaders in developing responsible and creative library services for all members of the public.

Board Responsibilities

• Represents: As Gretna citizens, the Library Board members represent both the community’s perspective and the library within the community.
• Sets policy: Creates, develops, and adopts policies that ultimately govern the library.
• Plans: Sets attainable goals through strategic planning. This includes, and is not limited to, encouraging continued growth and development of library staff.
• Hires & evaluates: Hires a competent Library Director, with approval of the City Council, when the position becomes vacant. Also regularly evaluates the Library Director’s performance. 
• Budgets: Reviews and adopts the annual budget. 
• Educates: Participates in the Nebraska Library Commission’s Public Library Board Certification Program.
• Advocates: Active proponents for legislation that benefits libraries, and for the library and its decisions to the community. Also strives to make everyone in the community aware of the library.
• Oversees: Library boards oversee the general management of the library. 
• Ensures compliance: Library boards ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, bylaws, and policies 

More Information

As needed, the Mayor or School Board appoints Library Board members. Any member that is appointed and accepts the position does so on a voluntary basis. Each member is chosen to keep the City of Gretna moving in a positive direction in regards to the Library Board’s responsibilities.

The Library Board is made up of 7 members: 5 who live within Gretna’s municipal boundaries who are appointed by the Mayor, and 2 who are appointed by the School Board that live within a special district within the Gretna Public School boundaries.

Each term is for 4 years.

If you are interested in being appointed to the Library Board, please either pick-up an application form at City Hall, or print out a copy. Don’t have a printer at home? Visit GPL and a librarian can help you with this. Then fill out the form and either drop it off at City Hall, or mail it to the Gretna City Hall: 204 N. McKenna Ave. Gretna NE 68028.

Reach out for even more information: gretnapubliclibraryboard@gmail.com