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Back to SearchHigh School students in grades tenth through twelfth, who are looking for an engaging opportunity in local government are encouraged to apply for an opening on the Petoskey District Library Board of Trustees Board (Board). Eligible students must reside within the Library’s service area, which includes the City of Petoskey, and the townships of Bear Creek, Little Traverse, Resort, and Springvale townships. Meetings are monthly and typically last one hour. This one-year term lasts from June 1, 2023 until May 31, 2024. Applications are due by May 1, 2023.
The Board, who serve without compensation, is made up of five residents of the City of Petoskey all appointed by the Mayor. Governed by its bylaws, the Board is responsible for hiring the director, creating policies, and overseeing the budget. It was in 2022 that the Trustees added a student, non-voting member.
We talked to current student trustee, Isabel Dunn, and this is what she had to say about her role on the Board:
"I love my position on the library board. I have learned so much in the past year, and I am incredibly grateful to have been given this opportunity. I was lucky enough to work with the library during several important events, including last summer's community reads project, the Friends of the Library's Night at the Library, and the Holocaust Exhibit. Through events like these, I was able to observe and admire the different ways in which the library approaches and handles serious subjects. Everything that the board manages intersects so nicely that it is impossible to pick one part that I like best. I appreciate how my experiences on the board have taught me the importance of community, and I will carry the knowledge that I have gained into my future. I am even considering studying library sciences in college as a result of this position."
I hope that anyone who is interested in this position fills out an application. It may seem like a daunting task at first, but there are plenty of kind people to help along the way. It is important for teens to speak up for themselves, and as a youth trustee, they will be able to do so in a way that directly impacts themselves, their friends, and their community. This position is so unique, and I cannot wait to see what the next youth trustee accomplishes.
If you are interested in serving as a library trustee please contact the library director for further information, at 231-758-3120.
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