New trustees sworn in at Bartlett Library

At the May 15, 2017 Bartlett Public Library District Board Meeting, the Library said goodbye to Bryan Darge, who previously held the role as vice president on the Board, and swore in three trustees: Heidi Hopkins, John Sias and Eric Shipman.

Library Director Karolyn Nance is excited to see what the coming years will bring with the new trustees.

"We've been very fortunate to have such passionate trustees in the past," Nance said. "No doubt, this Board will continue on with that tradition."

Hopkins is returning to serve on the Board of Trustees off of her previous term for another six years. Sias won the April 4, 2017 Consolidated General Election. He will serve on the Board for an expired term of May 2017 through May 2019. In 2019, Sias will have to run again for a new six year term.

Shipman will serve on the Board for a two year term and then will have to run again in 2019 for a new six year term. Shipman attained his position by participating in a special Board Meeting that was held on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 10 a.m. The Library Board interviewed potential members for the trustee vacancy left by Darge, Shipman being one of them. Once the interviews were complete, the Board made the decision for who would fill the seat.

Along with the addition of three trustees, a newly elected board of officers was established, which is as follows:

President, Dave Barry, 2019

Vice President, Peggy Bucaro, 2021

Treasurer, Heidi Hopkins, 2023

Secretary/FOIA Officer, Fran Byron, 2019

Ethics Officer, Lynn DeSmidt, 2021

Trustee, John Sias, 2019

Trustee, Eric Shipman, 2019

The duty for Library trustees is to establish polices and long-term goals for the Library; understand the Library's mission, service roles and long-range plans and articulates these to the community; oversees the budget process and much more.

The main job, however, for the Board of Trustees is to promote and advocate for the Library, sharing the services it offers to meet the needs of the community.