Wanted: Library Trustees
October 12, 2026
The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) needs to fill two vacancies on the library board of trustees, available at the end of this year. Both are 5 year terms, ending in December 2031. The first position is to replace Adrian Rippy-Sheehy, the trustee representing the Silt area. She's termed out. The second position is at-large, currently held by John Mallonee. He has worked on the budget committee, served as Treasurer and Vice-President. He is, at the end of his first 5 year term, now the most senior board member remaining. In the past three years, the BOCC has mostly refused to reappoint sitting members, and has replaced 5 of the 7 trustees.
This is a call for applicants. Your political or religious leanings aren't the issue. Here's what is: support for the library's mission "to connect our communities to a world of possibilities." That means a focus on literacy, on knowledge, on the building of community. It does not mean the advancement of a personal agenda on a public institution. The Trustees set direction, adopt policy, approve the budget, and evaluate the director.
These are the dates to notice:
October 20. Applicants must submit a letter of interest, with some information about your relevant background, and why you would want to serve on this board.
Materials should be submitted to County Manager, Fred Jarman. He can be contacted through this form or directly by email to fjarman@garfieldcountyco.gov.
November 4. Beginning at 1 p.m., the BOCC and sitting Trustees will interview applicants. We don't know how long the interviews will run; it depends on how many apply.
November 5. The Library Board of Trustees will meet to make a recommendation to the BOCC. The Commissioners have not yet committed to a date by which they will make their decision.
The county will advertise this in the Post Independent and Citizen Telegram. It's possible that the library will advertise beyond that.
Questions?
There's a lot of background information on the Protect Our Garfield County Libraries website. Or feel free to reach out to us at garcolibrarylove@gmail.com to talk further about your interest and the challenges. We’re willing to coach you through the interview process.
Stand up for your library. Defend the freedom to read.