Children’s literacy, life-long learning, intellectual freedom, teen engagement, newcomer integration, innovation and cutting-edge technology – are these issues important to you? If you answered yes, consider joining the Library Board to ensure that these strategies continue to be part of the library’s mission and vision. The Town of Stouffville and the Library are seeking applicants for the volunteer position of Trustee of the Board.
An individual who would like to join the Board of Trustees should be excited about the Library and Latcham Art Centre.
The Library facility is over 31,000 square feet. There are meetings rooms, study rooms, program rooms, a Makerspace and a Recording Studio.
The range of materials accessible at the Library is ever-expanding, ranging from conventional books to e-books, audiobooks, online magazines, Mango language learning, Playaway Launchpads, Snowshoes, Chromebooks, and many more!
The definition of a library is changing. No longer just a facility to retrieve books, the new library is a hub of the community: A place to meet, access the Internet (either through computer stations or Wi-Fi), rent a room, research your genealogy, develop language skills, engage in discussion, nurture children, and keep mind and body active.
Library programs are incredibly important to assist in developing numerous literacies and reducing social isolation.
Latcham Art Centre is a hub of creativity for the Stouffville community, creating opportunities for residents and visitors to learn about art and the ideas that artists are expressing in their work.
The Art Centre offers five curated exhibitions per year of original Canadian art reflecting the diversity of media and ideas from local, regional, and provincial artists.
Community-focused exhibition opportunities are also offered each year for artists and the community including the annual juried exhibition, and elementary and high school exhibitions which allow artists and students to be recognized by a public art gallery.
Latcham Art Centre is also responsible for programming the Town Office Gallery space through submissions by artists working in York Region, encouraging applications from BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+ and emerging artists
Art classes and workshops for schools and the public include weekday and weekend classes, one-day camps, and weeklong summer art camps.
The Board of Trustees oversees the Library and Art Centre’s operations by establishing policies, budgets, and plans that reflect the Board’s strategic agenda.
Perhaps most important, Trustees are advocates for the Library and Art Centre and their services. This means that they speak favourably about the Library and Art Centre in the community and share knowledge about the state of the Library and Art Centre’s services and funding. The Board is ultimately the face and voice of the Library and Art Centre community.
Board meetings are often lively, engaging discussions where Trustees exchange diverse viewpoints all in the name of improving the Library and Art Centre.
A Board member must be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada, and a resident of Whitchurch-Stouffville. They may not be employed by the Library or the municipality.
Prospective members should be: interested in the Library and Art Centre and their importance to the community; prepared to devote an average of 3 – 6 hours per month over 10 months of the year and willing to fully participate in the Board’s work; well connected in the community and aware of its social and economic conditions and the diversity of people living here; familiar with establishing policies for the successful operation of the Library and Art Centre and the importance of impartial service to all patrons.
If this sounds like you, the Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library needs you. Application forms and a recruitment brochure are available at www.wsplibrary.ca. the deadline to apply is November 9, 2022.
