Samples of public library system plans are also available from the Development Services Division of the Mississippi Library Commission. Mississippi Library Commission, 1998. Written policies are essential for efficient library operations. In Mississippi, policy development is the responsibility of the Administrative Board of Trustees , with input from Advisory Boards of Trustees . Policies are vital tools in carrying out Administrative Board of Trustees planning and evaluation decisions.
Policies are broadly stated guidelines for actions and decisions which support library operations.
Policies are the basis for procedures, but are not detailed courses of action. Policy elements include guidelines for actions and decisions, general statements to support library operations, and rules and regulations. Policies, that are no longer pertinent to library system operations, should be eliminated. To be effective and promote the success of the library, policies should not be too rigid. Rather, it is the director's and the staff's responsibility to carry-out the board's policies.