Rochester Hills library board president Madge Lawson retires; trustee applications due Oct. 30

Madge Lawson, president of the Rochester Hills Public Library Board of Trustees, is retiring and stepping down from the board, the Oakland County Times reported.

The board announced her departure at its most recent meeting, and the library put out a release on Oct. 15. Residents who want to fill her seat have until Friday, Oct. 30, to apply.

Decades with the library

Lawson was first elected to the library board on Nov. 2, 1999, according to the release as reported by the Oakland County Times. Over about 30 years, she served the library as a trustee, a board officer and president of the Friends of the library, the Times reported. The report does not explain how her service before her 1999 election was counted.

During her time, the library made major art purchases, expanded its services and building, and marked milestone anniversaries, according to the Times. No reason was given for her departure beyond retirement.

Library Director Juliane Morian wished Lawson "good health and great happiness in the future," the Times reported. Board Vice President Melinda Deel called it an honor to serve with her.

How to apply

The seat is open to Rochester Hills residents. Applications are taken online at rhpl.org/board through Oct. 30.

The board will interview applicants and appoint one. The new trustee would join the board in early January 2027 and serve until November 2027. The appointee could then run in the 2027 Rochester Hills election for either a two-year or six-year term.

Trustees are expected to:

• Attend evening board meetings
• Serve on committees, including the standing policy and finance committees
• Take a turn as a board officer
• Follow the board's ethics and conflict-of-interest policies

The job is volunteer and unpaid.

About the board

Rochester Hills voters elect library trustees to six-year terms. The board hires and oversees the library director, who manages the staff.

The library runs separately from the city of Rochester Hills but gets tax money from the city and from its contract communities, the city of Rochester and Oakland Township, according to the Times. It has served the area since 1924.

This story uses reporting from the Oakland County Times.