Library Board of Trustees
The South Burlington Public Library is governed by a board of trustees whose members serve renewable terms of up to three years. Trustees are appointed by the City Council. The Board is empowered by law with the full and exclusive power to manage and control the property and affairs of the Library. Unlike other city committees, the Library Board of Trustees is a governing body and not an advisory board. The Board hires and works closely with the Library Director. The Library Director is responsible for running day-to-day operations and, with the Board, makes policies and sets the budget for the library. The Board of Trustees provides guidance and advisory support to the Library Director and promotes the library and its services to the community. The full Board meets once a month. Additionally, trustees participate in at least one committee of the Board. All trustees are also members of the South Burlington Library Foundation*, which is actively engaged in fundraising for the library. The Foundation Board meets quarterly. Below are descriptions of the committees which advise the Board.
Governance & Nominating Committee
This committee works with the Library Director to develop and maintain library policies, including bylaw revisions, MOUs, and other policies to bring forward to the Board of Trustees for approval. The committee is also responsible for reviewing applications to join the Board and recommending candidates for appointment by the City Council, as well as managing the nominations within the Board for new and continuing officers. The committee is an internal, standing committee of a minimum of three members plus the Library Director and meets as needed.
Communications Committee
This committee is responsible for promoting the South Burlington Public Library through clear and engaging messaging via appropriate channels including print, digital/social and direct outreach, and serving as committed and informed champions for the library’s mission and strategic priorities. The committee is tasked with coordinating outreach efforts of the South Burlington Public Library Foundation Working Group to ensure alignment and help optimize overall communications efforts. The committee is an internal, standing committee of a minimum of three members plus the Library Director and meets as needed.
Finance Committee
This committee is responsible for oversight of investments, the annual budget and any audits performed regarding the South Burlington Public Library. The committee reviews previous and current year expenditures and provides guidance to the Library Director as needed. The committee supports the Library Director for financial presentations to the City Council. The committee is an internal standing committee of a minimum of three members plus the Library Director and meets quarterly.
*The South Burlington Library Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, was created in 2018 for the sole purpose of receiving, managing, and investing contributions, gifts, and bequests exclusively for the benefit of South Burlington Public Library and in support of its charitable, literary, cultural, educational, social, and other purposes as prioritized by the Library's Board of Trustees.
Get Involved
If you are a South Burlington resident and would like to join us and lead the Library into the future, submit your application here in the spring.
For more information, please contact Stacey Pape, Chair of the Board of Trustees, papesjda4@gmail.com
Trustee /Current Term Expires
Stacey Pape (Chair) - 2025
Ted Lenski (Treasurer) - 2024
Donna Swartwout (Secretary) - 2024
Anne Gilson LaLonde - 2026
Margery Vagt - 2026
Rebecca Killeen Stazi - 2024
Penelope Tompkins - 2024
Kevin Morgenstein Fuerst - 2025
Lauren Ballard Hatch - 2025
Holly Painter – 2025
Theresa Eirmann - 2026
Monthly meetings are held at the Library on the second Thursday of each month at 5:30 pm. Prior to attending a meeting please verify time and location on the web site calendar. All Board and Committee meetings comply with Open Meeting Laws and are open to the public.
