GRAVENHURST - Gravenhurst library patrons interested in becoming more involved have an opportunity to join the Gravenhurst Public Library Board. An opening became available when then-chair Marg Nicholson resigned in January.
The board held its elections at their annual general meeting on Feb. 13. The newly elected chair is Dr. Ardyn Todd, with Gerry Tanner, Jane White, Barb Sztuke, Richard Tatley, Dagmar Morley, Irene McHarg-Coey and councillor Heidi Lorenz making up the remainder of the current board. The CEO of the library also holds a non-voting advisory role on the board; however, as the library is on the search for a new CEO, Gravenhurst CAO David Weldon has been sitting in.
The board meets once a month on the second Wednesday, beginning at 5 p.m. at the library. There are also three committees that members partake in within the library board: fundraising, policies and procedures, and finance. Candace Thwaites, director of legislative services/clerk for the Town of Gravenhurst, estimated the time commitment for board members to be approximately six hours a month, depending on what activities members become involved in, which is up to the individual, she added. There is no remuneration for board members.
Members of the public interested in filling the final seat for the remainder of the 2010-14 term must be at least 18 years of age, a Canadian citizen and a resident of Gravenhurst, but not an employee of the town or the library board. Applicants are to provide a letter of interest and a biographical outline to Thwaites at the town offices at 3-5 Pineridge Gate. The deadline for application is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 15.
The board will review the submitted applications and choose the candidate they feel is most qualified.
“Once the board decides, they make a recommendation to council, then we put the bylaw forward to council,” explained Thwaites.
With the deadline of March 15, Thwaites expects the new board member will be able to attend the April meeting, but not as a voting member, as council does not meet until April 16 to pass the bylaw accepting the new member.
A good candidate for the position on the board would be “somebody who frequents the library, (who) may be interested in assisting with fundraising or book sales,” said Thwaites. Used book sales are a primary fundraiser of the library, and the board also held a card party last fall to raise money. Thwaites added they are always looking for “fresh new ideas.”