The seven members Board of Trustees of the Sheridan Public Library had their annual election of officers at the January meeting. Loretta Sutherland was elected president, Jill Bishop is the vice president, Barb Hybarger is the secretary and Katie Will is the treasurer. In addition, Lisa Samuels, John Vincent and Matt Lenseigne are non-office holding members.
The seven members of the board are appointed for a four-year term by different agencies. According to library director Steve Martin, “There are different appointing authorities for libraries comprised of towns, townships, counties and cities. The Sheridan Public Library is a township library (Adams Township) and as such we have board members appointed by five separate political bodies. Sheridan Community Schools appoints three members to the board: Lisa Samuels, Barb Hybarger and Jill Bishop. The Sheridan Town Council appoints one member, John Vincent. The Adams Township Trustee appoints one member, Matt Lenseigne. The Hamilton County Commissioners have one appointment, Katie Will. And the Hamilton County Council appoints one member, Loretta Sutherland.”
Martin says that four years ago the library board began an association with the Purdue Extension service ACTS (A Chance To Serve) program which gives high school freshmen an opportunity to serve on a not-for-profit community board. This year the Sheridan board welcomes Sheridan High freshman Baylee Murray to the board for a one year term. This is a non-appointed, volunteer, non-voting associate position. In addition, the library director also serves as a non-voting member of the board.
In Indiana a public library board appointment is a four-year commitment, and no more than four consecutive terms, or a total of 16 years, may be served. Persons interested in serving on the Sheridan Library Board are encouraged to contact library director Steve Martin for further information, or they may directly contact the appointing authorities listed above.