Vancouver Public Library Board of Trustees

Terms of reference

The Provincial Library Act enables the delivery of public library service in British Columbia.

• Read the Provincial Library Act

Meeting frequency

The board of trustees meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Central Library downtown, not including July and August. Committees of the Board meet in the week prior to the Board meeting.

Time commitment

In addition to board meetings (about 3 hours) and committee meetings (1 to 2 hours).

• Agendas are circulated prior to each meeting and provide background for discussion.
• Annual orientation sessions and tours are provided for new Board members.
• Board and committee chairs attend an extra meeting as members of the Board's Governance Committee.

A trustee is appointed to each of the following:

• InterLINK Board, a consortium representing the 18 libraries
• VPL Foundation Board
• Liaison to the Friends of VPL
• VPL Trust

In addition to attending board meetings, trustees are expected to represent the VPL Board at a variety of community events and programs.

Learn more about the Board: https://www.vpl.ca/about/board

Membership

The Vancouver Public Library Board of Trustees consists of 11 members, representing these groups:

• 10 residents (two-year terms)
• 1 City Councillor (one-year term)

All members may be reappointed, but no member may be appointed for more than eight consecutive years.

Prospective members

All members are appointed by City Council. Applicants must live in Vancouver, or be eligible to vote in a municipal election in Vancouver. 

Board meetings include a Park Board Commissioner and Vancouver School Board trustee appointed as liaisons

Board of Trustees

Term expires October 31, 2023:

Councillor Peter Meiszner, Vancouver City Councillor

Terms expire December 31, 2023:

• Tim Bottomer
• Victor Huang
• Melody Ma
• Harlan Pruden
• Ziming Yang

Terms expire December 31, 2024:

• Emily Lapper
• Kevin Lowe (Chair)
• Raji Mangat (Vice-Chair)
• Karen Spears
• Abeer Yusuf

Liaisons 

• Vancouver Park Board: Commissioner Scott Jensen
• Vancouver School Board: Trustee Victoria Jung
• Staff: Chrysalyn Tolentino, Executive Assistant to the Chief Librarian

View upcoming agendas and past meeting minutes