Trustees FAQ

What do the Library Trustees do?

The Amesbury Public Library Board of Trustees:
•    Promotes the mission of the Library within the community
•    Act as stewards for the needs of the Library
•    Approves the annual Library budget
•    Approves  written policies to govern the operation of the Library
•    Helps ensure the maintenance and upkeep of the physical building,
•    Contributes to long-range planning for the Library to help answer community needs

What is the difference between Trustees and Friends?

It is important to note that there is a difference in the Trustees and the Friends, while it looks like they do something similar from the outside, each has a crucial role in supporting the library. Below are the key differences between the Trustees and the Friends of the Library:

• Trustees are an elected board who approve policies, and the budget for the Amesbury Public Library. They are stewards of the library and it is their role to shape the library’s guidelines, ensure building maintenance, and to support the best interest of the library in legislative matters.
• Friends are a non-profit organization, where anyone can join at any time to help support the library. The Friends are volunteers who advocate for the library in the community.  The Friends of the Library support the library by raising funds through memberships, fundraisers and the used bookstore, The Stacks (located in the lower level of the library).