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.
Trustees, 2023 to 2026
Jennifer Tarnawski, Chair
Jason Manayathu, Vice Chair
Ashley Cameron
Councillor Lisa Kearns
Shayne Lemieux
Akindayomi Odedeyi
Lindsay Zalot
Providing governance & leadership
The work of the board requires a balance of asking big questions, exploring possibilities, engaging in real dialogue, solving problems, and offering direction. We:
- establish policies that provide the framework for library and board operations
- review, authorize, and monitor short and long range plans and how they are implemented
- together with the CEO, prepare an annual budget that balances library service needs of the community with available funding, and present to City Council
- monitor finances and make sure the library operates on an ethical and sound financial basis
- promote and advocate the value of public libraries in Burlington and beyond.
- appoint the Chief Executive Officer and evaluate their performance
To represent the community and do our job well, we expect members to be well informed on Board issues, attend meetings regularly, and participate fully in Board discussions and decision-making.
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.
Board Meeting Dates 2023
All meetings start at 6.30pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend and watch the proceedings. For log in information to attend a meeting vitually by Zoom, please submit a Contact Us form and we'll be in touch. Items in Closed Session may be attended by Library Board members only.
Thursday, December 15, 2022 - Cancelled
Thursday, January 26, 2023 - Moved to February 9
Thursday, February 9 - NEW date
Thursday, February 23 - Cancelled
Thursday, March 23 - Cancelled
Thursday, April 27
Thursday, May 25
Thursday, June 22
Thursday, September 28
Thursday, October 26
Thursday, November 23
Thursday, December 14
Meeting Agendas & Minutes 2023
May 25, 2023 Agenda & Minutes to be approved
April 27, 2023 Agenda & Minutes
February 9, 2023 Agenda & Minutes
November 24, 2022 Agenda & Minutes
Past Meetings
Agendas and Minutes for earlier years are available on request.
October 27, 2022 Agenda & October 27, 2022 Minutes
September 22, 2022 Agenda & September 22, 2022 Minutes
June 23, 2022 Agenda & June 23, 2022 Minutes
May 26, 2022 Agenda & May 26, 2022 Minutes
April 28, 2022 Agenda & April 28, 2022 Minutes
March 24, 2022 Agenda & March 24, 2022 Minutes
December 16, 2021 Agenda & December 16, 2021 Minutes
November 25, 2021 Agenda & November 25, 2021 Minutes
October 28, 2021 Agenda & October 28, 2021 Minutes
September 23, 2021 Agenda & September, 23 2021 Minutes
September 9, 2021 Agenda & September 9, 2021 Minutes
June 17, 2021 Agenda & June 17, 2021 Minutes
May 20, 2021 Agenda & May 20, 2021 Minutes
April 15, 2021 Agenda & April 15, 2021 Minutes
March 18, 2021 Agenda & March 18, 2021 Minutes
December 17, 2020 Agenda & December 17, 2020 Minutes
November 19, 2020 Agenda & November 19, Minutes
October 15, 2020 Agenda & October 15, 2020 Minutes
September 17, 2020 Agenda & September 17, 2020 Minutes
August 13, 2020 Agenda & August 13, 2020 Minutes
June 18, 2020 Agenda & June 18, 2020 Minutes
May 21, 2020 Agenda & May 21, 2020 Minutes
April 16, 2020 Agenda & April 16, 2020 Minutes
March 30, 2020 Agenda & March 30, 2020 Minutes
March 19, 2020 Agenda & March 19, 2020 Minutes
December 19, 2019 Agenda & December 19, 2019 Minutes
November 21, 2019 Agenda & November 21, 2019 Minutes
October 17, 2019 Agenda & October 17, 2019 Minutes
September 19, 2019 Agenda & September 19, 2019 Minutes & BPL Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2019 to 2021
June 20, 2019 Agenda & June 20, 2019 Minutes
May 16, 2019 Agenda & May 16, 2019 Minutes
April 17, 2019 Agenda & April 17, 2019 Minutes
March 21, 2019 Agenda & March 21, 2019 Minutes
February 21, 2019 Agenda & February 21, 2019 Minutes
Related links
Burlington Public Library Policies