Library Board Trustees & Meetings

The Library Board makes sure that library services are delivered efficiently and effectively—with an eye to the future. Board Trustees are volunteers from the community who are appointed by City Council after a competitive selection process. Board members serve a four-year term.

2019-2022 Trustees - Current

Brian Kenny, Chair

Catharine Benzie, Vice Chair

Nawaz Noormohamed

Councillor Shawna Stolte

Jennifer Tarnawski

Bianca Tse

Lindsay Zalot

What Library Board members do

Under the Public Libraries Act, the Board:

provides a comprehensive and efficient public library service that reflects the community’s needs;
employs and evaluates the ongoing performance of the Chief Executive Officer;
determines and adopts written policies to govern the operation and programs of the library;
establishes and monitors long range goals and objectives for Burlington Public Library;
understands the library’s programs and needs of the community in relation to the library;
works with the Chief Executive Officer to prepare a budget adequate to carry out the library’s goals and objectives and presents this budget to City Council;
is aware of local and other laws that affect libraries and play an active role in initiating and supporting beneficial library legislation;
adheres to the Public Libraries Act, its regulations, and legislation;
members attend all Board meetings, and committee meetings as assigned. Attends outside meetings, workshops for trustees, and community events;
makes sure accurate public records concerning finances, property, and annual reports are on file at the library and with appropriate local, provincial, or national bodies;
may interact with provincial library agencies. Reports regularly to governing officials and the general public.
promotes and advocates the value of public libraries in the Burlington community.