The seven-member Howell Carnegie District Library Board of Trustees is responsible for policies, strategic planning, annual budget approval, overseeing finances, director hiring, and understanding district library law. The Howell City Council or the Howell Public Schools Board of Education appoints trustees for staggered four-year terms. A library trustee has no obligation to the appointing body and is expected to act in good faith and put the interests of the library first.

Board meetings are held every second Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm in the library’s Meabon Room unless otherwise noted.

Two openings are for terms beginning July 1, 2025. Appointments are made in May or June 2025.

If you are interested in serving on the Howell Carnegie Library Board of Trustees and live in the City of Howell, please contact the Clerk’s Office. If you live outside the City of Howell but within the boundaries of Howell Public School District, send a letter of interest to Courtney A. Tarara, President, Board of Education: tararac@howellschools.com or Sharin Smith, Executive Secretary to the Superintendent: smithsh@howellschools.com. The application deadline is Friday, May 23, and applicants will be invited to attend the school board meeting on June 2, 2025.

For additional information about the responsibilities of library trustees or the application process, you may contact Holly Ward Lamb, Director, ward@howelllibrary.org, and Lyn Hewitt, President, Board of Trustees, hewitt@howelllibrary.org.

Current Board members are:

Jennifer Earl (Howell School Board appointee. Term expires: 6-30-27)

Bob Ellis (City of Howell appointee. Term expires: 6-30-28)

Lyn Hewitt (Howell School Board appointee. Term expires 6-30-25)

Tony Kandt (City of Howell appointee. Term expires 6-30-25)

Susan Pominville (Howell School Board appointee. Term expires: 6-30-28)

Maria Stuart (Howell School Board appointee. Term expires: 6-30-26)

Kathryn Tuck (City of Howell appointee. Term expires: 6-30-27)

Meeting Policies

Opening Statement

Board meetings are held for the purpose of conducting the business of the Howell Carnegie District Library (HCDL).  They are meetings of the board held in public and not public hearings.  The board desires to hear the viewpoints of citizens and shall schedule times at all meetings for them to be heard. Because the purpose of the Board meetings is to conduct the business of the library, individuals should not expect to engage in discussion with members of the Board of Trustees. The Board President may or may not respond to statements made by the public. If the board wishes to take up discussion, the item will be put on the board agenda at a future meeting.   The HCDL will provide necessary and reasonable auxiliary aids/services for board meetings if someone requests such aids or services seven business days prior to the meeting.

Regular and adjourned regular meetings:

The board shall convene for the purpose of holding meetings at the HCDL, 314 West Grand River, Howell, Michigan provided proper notice is given to the public pursuant to the Michigan Open Meetings Act, being Act 267 of the Public Acts of Michigan, 1976, as amended on the following days, at which meetings shall convene at 7:00p.m.

January 14, 2025
February 11, 2025
March 11, 2025
April 8, 2025
May 13, 2025
June 10, 2025  (Public Hearing for Review of the Proposed 2024-25 Budget starts at 6:45 pm)
July 8, 2025
August 12, 2025
September 9, 2025
October 14, 2025
November 11, 2025
December 9, 2025  (*meeting starts at 6:00 pm)

All above listed meetings shall be considered regular meetings of the HCDL.  Any other meetings not listed above shall be special meetings or adjourned sessions of the regular meetings, depending upon the means and methods used in calling said meetings.  Unless the board otherwise provides the motion to “adjourn” any meeting of this board, whether special or regular, shall mean to adjourn to the next succeeding regular meeting on the list above cited.

The board shall convene for the purpose of holding special meetings upon request of the president (or vice president in the president’s absence.) or upon written request of two (2) board members.  Such special meetings shall be posted at least 18 hours before convening stating the date, time, and place and purpose of meeting.  Only that business stated in the posted notice may be addressed at the meeting.

Any regular or adjourned meetings of the board which fall on a legal holiday, shall automatically be set to the next working day following that is not a legal holiday at the same time and place indicated for the original meeting.

The administrative staff shall perform all posting functions required by the Michigan Open Meetings Act, being Act 267 of the Public Acts of Michigan, 1976, as amended.

Quorum – a majority of the Library Board Members appointed and serving shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of the ordinary business of the library and questions which arise at meetings shall be determined by the votes of a majority of the members present.

  • Call to order/Approval of agenda
  • Attendance
  • Consent Agenda
  • Announcements & comments from the public
  • In‑service training topic
  • President’s report
  • Treasurer’s report
  • Committee reports
  • Director’s report
  • Action Items
    • Unfinished business
    • New business
  • Discussion Items
  • Comments & Concerns of Board Members
  • Adjourn

Robert’s Rules of Order Modified Procedure shall be used as a guideline for board conduct:

  • Motions must be processed in a priority order
  • Motions must be seconded
  • Votes taken by voice, standing or ballot
  • Members are not required to obtain the floor and can make motions or speak while seated.
  • The Presiding Officer need not stand
  • The Presiding Officer can speak in discussion
  • The Presiding Officer will vote on all

Public comments shall be limited to no more than three minutes per individual and at the times designated in the agenda, except where extended privileges are granted by the president.  Any individual desiring to speak shall give his/her name, address and group represented, if any.

APR REV 4/9/02

APR REV 5/12/09

Approved November 2024

A photo of board member Jen Earl
A photo of board member Bob Ellis
A photo of board member Lyn Hewitt
A photo of board member Tony Kandt
A photo of board member Susan Pominville
A photo of board member Maria Stuart
A photo of board member Kathryn Tuck