Library Board
Alden Public Library Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees of the Library, hereinafter referred to as the Board, consists of six (6) resident members and one (1) rural resident member. All members are to be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Council.
The Library ordinance can be located in the Alden City Code, Chapter 21.
The Library Board of Trustees meet regularly the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 11:30am at the library. The agenda is posted at the Alden Post Office, the front door of the library, and on our website.
| Name | Term End Date | Position |
| Meagan Herrin | 7/2030 | |
| Carol Vanderloop | 7/2030 | President |
| Jessica Christensen | 7/2028 | |
| Kathy Blome | 7/2028 | Vice President |
| Chris Kuhnle | 7/2028 | |
| Lucy Rodriguez | 7/2028 | Secretary |
| Dean Vandervort | 7/2026 |
Library Board Agenda and Minutes
FY 2027
2026 August
2026 September
2026 October
2026 November
2026 December
2027 January
2027 February
2027 March
2027 April
2027 May
2027 June
FY 2026
FY 2025
FY 2024 Agenda FY 2024 Minutes
2023 August 2023 August Minutes
2024 February
FY 2023
2022 September Agenda 2022 September Minutes
2022 August Agenda 2022 August Minutes
2022 July Agenda 2022 July Minutes
FY 2022
2022 May Agenda 2022 May Minutes
Rescheduled meeting 2022 April
2022 April Agenda 2022 April Minutes
2022 March Agenda 2022 March Minutes
2022 February Agenda 2022 February Minutes
2022 January Agenda 2022 January Minutes
2021 December Agenda 2021 December Minutes
2021 November Agenda 2021 November Minutes
2021 October Agenda 2021 October Minutes
2021 September Agenda 2021 September Minutes
2021 August Agenda 2021 August Minutes
2021 July Agenda 2021 July Minutes
Public library boards have five primary roles:
1. Advocate for the library in the community and advocate for the community as a member of the library board. To be a library advocate is to work for the betterment of library services for the community. Advocacy includes working to obtain adequate funding for the library; pursuing opportunities to meet and speak with community groups; getting to know the mayor and city council; making sure the community’s needs and interests are paramount when making board decisions.
2. Plan for the future of the library. Planning is one of the most important trusts that the community gives to the library board. Planning is deciding what is going to happen with library services over the next few years. It is taking charge of the library’s future and creating it to be responsive to what the community needs.
3. Monitor and evaluate the overall effectiveness of the library. The community puts its trust in the library board to make sure the library is operating the way it should. For example, the library boards is familiar with the library’s budget - where the money is coming from and how it will be spent. The board monitors monthly financial reports and approves the bills so they can be paid. The board also helps determine whether the community is satisfied with the service received from the library.
4. Set library policies. The library boards spends much of its time on policy issues - developing policies and monitoring the effectiveness of those policies. (Policy is a carefully designed, broadly stated, written guideline for actions and decision of the library.) Once adopted by the board, library staff carries out the policies on a day to day basis.
5. Hire and evaluate the library director. The board hires a qualified director to manage the day-to-day operations of the library and works with the director, carefully respecting each other’s roles. The board also regularly evaluates the director to make sure the library operates well and in the best interest of those the library serves.