Public libraries in Ontario are governed by the Public Libraries Act, R.S.O. 1990, chapter P44 and are bound by the requirements of this legislation. The Act defines how the Library Board should operate, its accountability requirements to Municipal Council and the Province, as well as its responsibilities regarding the delivery of library service. It defines the Board as a governing board, giving it the authority to make policy and direct the affairs of the organization.
As a governing body, the Board is the decision-making and legal authority of the organization. The Board is accountable for the whole range of activity of the organization and the results it achieves but is not responsible for carrying out day-to-day operations, which are instead the responsibility of library staff.
With a focus on the future, the Board determines the direction of the organization and decides how to get there through its planning functions. In conjunction with the library management team, the Board develops the mission, goals and objectives that will guide the library’s activities into the future. The Board is responsible for advocating for the library as an important community resource and ensures the Library receives adequate operating and capital funds to sustain facilities, collections and staffing.
