Trustees Handbook Contents Rhode Island Public Library Trustees Handbook Trustees and the Library's Budget Public library trustees are legally responsible for overseeing library finances. Accountability and awareness are keys to meeting fiscal responsibilities.
Accountability is imperative because public funds are being expended.
Awareness is crucial because the board cannot make wise budgeting decisions unless members are aware of how the library is funded, what it costs to run the library, what the library needs, and what those needs will cost. Planning, budgeting, and public relations are linked together. Based on those understandings, goals are set and strategies designed to accomplish goals. Since it makes little sense to make plans that can't be supported financially, budgeting and planning go together. Plans are made within the limits of what is fiscally possible and budgets reflect planning decisions.