The Library Advisory Committees (LAC), subcommittees of the Montgomery County Library Board, are the eyes and ears of the MCPL system. It is through the observations and suggestions of LACs that the Library Board can advise MCPL’s director about what local library branches are doing well and what needs improvement.
The mission of an LAC is to advise the Library Board and the respective branch manager on issues of local interest and concern for the benefit of the community and MCPL. These issues may include, but are not limited to, policy matters, collections, services, and facilities. The LACs are the voice of the community operating on a grassroots level for each library branch or services section. A single LAC is designated to represent the needs of each local library or special services section of MCPL.
LAC activities/roles include:
- Participating in providing government officials with advice and counsel about libraries via MCLB, and in support of positions taken by MCLB, may testify before County Council and/or appear at Council hearings.
- Communicating regularly with the library users to improve awareness of issues of concern to them and to be able to tell the stories from their perspective.
- Recruiting others to join the LAC and to speak out for the libraries.
- Help to raise awareness of what the Library system offers and local library branch needs.
- Communicate regularly with the community leaders, encouraging their involvement and interest in MCPL.
- Participate in library observances and activities.
- Build coalition with the Friends of the Library to form a nucleus of the effort to support MCPL.
- Build networking relationship with the Parent councils, PTAs, faculty and other groups with similar concerns in the community.
Interested in getting more involved?
Become an LAC member. Download an application or visit your local branch to apply.
Libraries Matter!
Labels: February 2017, Library Board Happenings
