Library Board Members

Are you interested in having a say in your library’s role in the community?

Do you live in the City of St. Joseph or Saint Joseph Charter Township?

The Library Board is composed of five City of St. Joseph residents and four St. Joseph Township residents, appointed by their respective governing entities.

The Library Board sets policies for the library, determines operating hours, makes purchasing and contract decisions for certain services, helps with fundraising, is instrumental in strategic planning, and works with the Director, the staff, the City, and the Township to provide outstanding library services for this community.  If you have a passion for this wonderful community that we live in and see the library as an integral part of this thriving area, we want you to consider volunteering your time on our Board.

The Library Board meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the St. Joseph/Maud Preston Palenske Library, 500 Market Street, St. Joseph, MI. The annual meeting is held in July.  No meetings are scheduled in August or in December. Our director is happy to answer any questions you might have or put you in contact with other board members.

Who:  A resident of the City of St. Joseph  or Saint Joseph Charter Township

What:   Be a volunteer board member for the Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library

Where:   St. Joseph/Maud Preston Palenske Library, 500 Market Street, St. Joseph, MI.

When:    4th Tuesday of each month – approx. 10 times a year

Why:   Have your say in guiding our institution.

How:    If you are a City Resident: fill out the city application, available on the city website:  

   https://www.sjcity.com/bc

            If you are a Township Resident: fill out the township application, available on the township website: 

   http://sjct.org/departments/board-commissions

Volunteer at the library

The library is very thankful for all of our many volunteers.   Much of what we do could not be accomplished without the help of these generous people! 

Volunteers play a vital role at the Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library.  By donating time, talent and skills, they support and enhance the library’s programs, services and mission. Volunteers in the library help us in many ways.  Some come at a regular time and day each week.  Some stop in more sporadically.    Volunteers assist in our local history room, help shelve some materials, help keep the library neat and tidy, and assist staff members with specific projects. 

Why do people volunteer at Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library?

•     Interest in the library
•     Desire to help support and enhance library programs and services
•     Enjoy the satisfaction of helping others
•     Interested in a career in library and information services
•     Need to complete a community service requirement

If you are interested in volunteering, you will need to fill out a volunteer application.  Staff will contact you and set up an interview where we can match you to a suitable job in the library.  Volunteer titles and job descriptions can be accessed here.

Volunteers under 18 years of age must fill out the Children's Volunteer Application.   Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age and must be able to obtain a work permit.