Library boards in Canada have an interesting relationship with their municipal councils. Once a term, councils appoint trustees to provide “a comprehensive and effi cient public library service” for the community. While the boards have this significant responsibility, they do not have the right to directly levy a tax on behalf of the library. It must seek most of its funds from the municipal council.

With the council both appointing the board members (citizens and a few councillors), and providing most of the funds for the library budget, it is only natural that municipal councillors may see a requirement for the board to be responsive to council’s wishes. The library board, on the other hand, usually has a different perception of its duty. The board sees a greater need to be more responsive to the community, rather than to council, for the provision of exemplary library services.