Chair and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees

About Biblionet Groningen

In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the library’s broad role in society. The library is seen as a microcosm of society; everyone is welcome and invited to meet, learn, and discover. Biblionet Groningen’s vision is to position and further develop the Library as a basic public service. We want to do this together; it is no coincidence that for several years now we have been working according to our manifesto “Keys to the Library,” which explicitly focuses on shaping social value together in and through the Library.

The library sector is undergoing significant change. At the national level, three societal challenges have been identified, which we are all committed to addressing: a literate society, participation in the information society, and lifelong learning. Biblionet Groningen contributes to a literate society by offering services in addition to its collections at 197 Library at School locations (elementary, secondary, vocational, and higher education), 225 BoekStart locations in childcare centers, and twenty Language Houses in the libraries.

Participation in the information society largely revolves around being able to participate digitally; for example, through a wide range of courses, but also through programs that address digital and AI developments. The Digital Government Information Points (IDOs) in the nine municipalities also help people move forward. Lifelong learning and development take shape through a wide range of programs and collaborations. Biblionet Groningen works closely in all areas with a broad range of partners in education, welfare, and culture. There is also close collaboration within the national (and, by extension, European and international) library sector. Together we are strong and can find new solutions to major societal challenges.

Biblionet Groningen comprises 34 libraries in nine municipalities surrounding the city of Groningen, as well as the Provincial Support Institution (POI). Municipalities commission local library services; agreements are made annually through our catalog of products and services. The province of Groningen is the commissioning body for the POI. In this role, Biblionet Groningen supports all libraries throughout the province, including the Forum Groningen libraries in the city. Support is provided in areas such as consulting, professional development, innovation, and logistics.

More than 72,000 residents of the nine municipalities where Biblionet Groningen operates are library members. In addition, Biblionet Groningen reaches, engages, and retains around 1.2 million visitors each year. Visitor numbers are high because everyone is welcome at the library, and you can participate in a large portion of the activities even without a membership. It’s no surprise that the Hoogezand Library was named Best Library in the Netherlands (2022), and we have been nominated again for 2024 with the Marum Library.

The organization has grown significantly in recent years. It currently employs 200 people, about half of whom have joined the organization in the past three years. In addition, approximately 800 volunteers are associated with the organization.

Governance

The Biblionet Groningen Foundation is managed by a single executive director: Rachel van den Hoogen, who is responsible for strategy and management. The Supervisory Board has an oversight and supervisory role, particularly regarding the planning and control cycle and the annual financial statements. In addition, the SB acts as the employer of the executive director and serves as a sounding board and sparring partner. The SB of Biblionet Groningen consists of five members with diverse areas of expertise, including the chair. The goal is to achieve a balanced and diverse composition in terms of age, culture, ethnicity, and gender. The Board of Trustees would also find it valuable if, in the future, the Board included more members who, from their own experience, recognize the value of reading promotion, lifelong learning, and digital inclusion.

The members are accountable to one another and collectively responsible, and they operate in accordance with the principles of the Cultural Governance Code. The term of office is four years, and members may be reappointed once. The Supervisory Board meets approximately six times a year; it also consults with the Works Council and holds a progress review with the Executive Director twice a year. The chair attends representative events upon request. The Supervisory Board evaluates its own performance at least once a year during a closed-door meeting. Once every three years, this evaluation is conducted with external guidance.

For more information about the composition of the Supervisory Board and the bylaws governing the Supervisory Board, the Audit Committee, and the Nominating Committee, please visit:

https://www.biblionetgroningen.nl/organisatie/over-ons/bestuur-en-toezicht.html

Rules of Procedure of the Biblionet Groningen Board of Trustees

Chairperson's Profile

For the position of Chair of the Supervisory Board, we are specifically seeking a candidate who, as a unifying figure, can inspire the Supervisory Board; who is skilled in presiding over meetings; and who, drawing on senior management experience in the broader public sector, can serve as a valuable sparring partner for the Executive Director. In consultation with the Executive Director, the Chair will also maintain contact with Biblionet Groningen’s stakeholders.

Profile of the Vice Chair

For the position of Vice Chair of the Supervisory Board, we are specifically seeking a candidate with political, administrative, and/or civic experience, knowledge of and networks within the broad stakeholder community in the northern region, and the ability to stand in for the Chair in their absence, if necessary.

For both profiles, it is an advantage if the candidates contribute to a diverse composition of the Supervisory Board and if there is a demonstrable affinity, based on professional practice or personal experience, with the social missions of Biblionet Groningen: a literate society, participation in the information society, and lifelong learning.

What should you bring?

• Extensive administrative and/or management experience and skills;

• Relevant experience as a chairperson, vice chairperson, and/or board member;

• A regional network and knowledge of the public sector in the Northern Netherlands;

• A keen interest in library work;

• An understanding of the role of the Board of Trustees as outlined in the Cultural Governance Code

• The ability to act as a unifying force within the Supervisory Board, while maintaining authority;

• A curious and open-minded attitude, with an appreciation for others’ and sometimes differing opinions;

• An independent and principled attitude;

• Sufficient time and commitment to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the chair and vice chair, specifically during regular work weeks.

• Estimated time commitment: 200 hours per year for regular members; 200 hours per year for the chairperson.

We offer:

• Involvement with a socially relevant organization that aims to play a central role in society;

• An inspiring environment in which the Supervisory Board oversees the achievement of the organization’s objectives, serves as an employer and, at times, a sounding board for the executive director, and leverages its networks as an ambassador for Biblionet;

• Compensation that complies with the Cultural Governance Code and the regulations governing Public Benefit Organizations (ANBI).

• The compensation for the work performed by the chair of the Supervisory Board is €9,308 per year. For members, including the vice-chair, it is €6,205.

Procedure

The organization is being assisted in this process by the executive search firm Colourful People. For more information about this position, please call Winfred Voordendag, senior partner at Colourful People, at 06-28284706 or emailw.voordendag@colourfulpeople.nl. 

To express your interest, please submit your cover letter and resume viathe Colourful People website by Sunday, October 27, 2024. Interviews will be held on Friday, November 22, at Biblionet in Groningen. Areference check is part of the hiring process. The position is to be filled as soon as possible, with a target start date of December 2024.