| Friday Follow-up: a message from Brian M. Hildreth, STLS Executive Director |
STLS Trustee Bonnie Weber Goes the Added Mile
The year-end has arrived. Today is my last Friday Follow-up of 2016. It is nearly impossible to provide a year-end review because so much has happened throughout our system in the past 12-months.
Moreover, there are so many remarkable things taking place at our libraries it is difficult to pull out the most relevant. We all know each individual transaction we have or every project we manage is enlightening to someone.
Today I want to focus my message on one person. Her name is Bonnie Weber. She is an STLS Trustee who represents Steuben County and the community of Pulteney. This month is her last on our library system’s board.
Bonnie has served STLS for more than a decade. And if you include her time as a member library trustee, STLS board president and various committee appointments, her service far extends 10 years of dedication. She has been a valuable advocate for public libraries over the long term.
My first involvement with Bonnie dates back to 2007. Bonnie would always include herself in committee meetings, system-wide trainings and regional advocacy initiatives. For the most part, she represented herself at every possible system-sponsored event, which made her a permanent pillar of our infrastructure.
I always tell prospective trustees that board work is what you make of it. You can do your homework, study your packets and trustee manual, be present at monthly meetings and arrive on time to be a good decision maker. Or, you can make it a service of passion where you continually go the added mile to make your community institution a place of enduring enrichment. Both types of trustees are really important, and Bonnie Weber played both roles.
I can recall one time talking with Bonnie on the way home from Advocacy Day in Albany. It was back in 2011 and it was late. We were in the last hour of our 8 hours on the bus and 4 hours climbing the Legislative Office Building. Everyone was tired. However, Bonnie and I sat across from each other talking about our families, homes and lives. She could have used this time to relax and reflect upon the day, but instead she talked with her fellow member librarian. I really found value in Bonnie’s actions. They added to my approach of system librarianship today.
The New Year will soon be here. There are plenty of new projects, programs and people waiting to see how we respond. I am certain every Southern Tier librarian, director, trustee and volunteer will rise to the challenge of providing exemplary service. It is what we do. It is how we roll.
In the meantime, I extend to every Southern Tier member library the human sentiment of hope and love. I believe through our past work and our future endeavors we have the potential to change the quality of life for our entire community. Thank you for making this year so great! Kindest Regards, Brian Hildreth, Executive Director Read past Friday Follow-ups: http://www.stls.org/blog Follow me on Twitter: @comlibpartner |
