Public libraries in Colorado are governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of 5-7 members of the community who are appointed by joint resolution of the Steamboat Springs School Board, Routt County Commissioners and Steamboat Springs City Council. Why those entities? By Colorado law, the governing bodies that created the library district back in 1980, are the authorities responsible for appointing Library Board members.

The Library Director reports directly to the Board of Trustees who meet on the fourth Wednesday of every month. The Board’s role is to approve the budget and oversee the financials of the Library (determine how money is allocated), hire the Director and set policy.

“Bud Werner Memorial Library” is actually the name of our library building. The library’s legal name is the “East Routt Library District”. There are three library districts in Routt County whose boundaries coincide with the three school districts in our county. “West Routt Library District” is the Hayden Public Library and “South Routt Library District” is Oak Creek, Yampa and Phippsburg. A library district is similar to a school district or a fire district or water district. Geographically we are part of the City and the County but are actually a separate entity created specifically to provide library services. The Library’s funding comes primarily from a dedicated property tax paid by home owners and businesses located within our district boundaries. Late fees and donations also provide an important source of income for the Library.

Libraries have always approached service in a reciprocal fashion, therefore, anyone living in the East Routt Library District can obtain a free Hayden Public Library card and anyone in Hayden can get a free card at Bud Werner. The same applies to South Routt residents.

Current East Routt Library District Board Members

PRESIDENT:
Bob Matteo
34995 Country Green
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
879-6100 (w)
879-2554 (h)
Term expires: 12/31/2009

VICE PRESIDENT:
Thomas R. Hopp
PO Box 772634
Steamboat Springs, CO 80477
879-3929 (h)
Term expires: 12/31/2010


SECRETARY:
Dennis Swanson
PO Box 773856
Steamboat Springs, CO 80477
879-2488 (h)
879-8014 (w)
Term expires: 12/31/2008

TREASURER:
Michael Holloran
PO Box 773600
Steamboat Springs, CO 80477
879-2410 (w)
879-2100 (h)
Term expires: 12/31/2010

TRUSTEE:
Barb Ross
PO Box 759
Clark, CO 80428
879-7803 (h)
Term expires: 12/31/2011

TRUSTEE:
Susan de Wardt
PO Box 881959
Steamboat Springs, CO 80488
879-8138 (h)
Term expires: 12/31/2010

Board members' terms are 5 years, unless filling a vacancy