By-laws

Here are the library by-laws
RESOLVED that due and proper notice of intention to amend and change the By-laws having been given at the regular adjourned meeting held at the library on May 12, 1983 and due deliberation having been had thereon, it is hereby resolved that the By-laws enacted by the Board on January 6, 1944 and all amendments and additions thereto be and the same hereby are revoked, canceled and annulled, and be it further resolved that the following By-laws be and the same hereby are passed, enacted, and adopted to take effect at once.

BY-LAWS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LITTLE FALLS PUBLIC LIBRARY

1. Officers: The officers shall be President, Vice-president, Treasurer and Secretary, who shall be elected annually be the Board from their own number.
The President shall preside over meetings and appoint committees.
The Secretary shall record all official arts of the Board and have custody of all its official books, records and documents except those in current use by another officer.
The Treasurer shall receive all funds belonging to the library and keep the same in a separate account. The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of every receipt and expenditure with the date, purpose and amount and report the same at each meeting and the Annual Meeting for approval of the Board, and shall give a bond for faithful performance of his or her duties to be approved by the Board of Trustees as to form and amount.

2. Duties and Responsibilities of Board Members:
a) To employ a competent and qualified librarian.
b) To determine the purpose of the library and to adopt written policies to govern the operation and program of the library.
c) To secure adequate funds to carry on the library program.
d) To establish, support, and participate in a planned public relations program.
e) To assist in the preparation of the annual budget and approve the final document.
f) To know local and state laws and to support library legislation in the state and nation.
g) To establish among the library policies those dealing with book and materials selection.
h) To attend all board meeting and see that accurate records are kept on file at the library.
i) To attend regional, state, and national trustee meetings and workshops, and to affiliate with appropriate professional organizations.
j) To be aware of the services of the library system.
k) To report regularly to the governing officials and the general public.

3. Meetings: The regular meetings of the Board shall be held once each month at the convenience and discretion of the Board. The Annual Meeting of the Board shall be held in January of each year at the time of the regular monthly meeting. Special meetings may be called by the President or by request of any two Trustees but only business state in the call can be transacted at such special meetings.
Quorum: A quorum at all regular and special meetings of the Board shall consist of not less than four Trustees except as hereinafter provided in Paragraph “7” hereof.

4. Committees: The President shall appoint standing committees on a) Finance, b) Personnel, c) Building and Grounds, and d) Public Relations, each consisting of one, two or three members to serve for one year and until successors are appointed. They shall act under the direction of the Board and report to it from time to time.
The Finance Committee shall control and supervise all Library Funds, income and expenditure and all real or personal property not actually used for library purposes under supervision of the Building and Grounds Committee. It shall also draw up the budget year.
The Personnel Committee shall work with the library director to establish personnel policy, pay scales and any other matters pertaining to the staff.
The Building and Grounds Committee shall be responsible for recommending to the Board repairs or maintenance necessary to keep the building and grounds in proper condition.
The Public Relations Committee shall work with the director to establish a volunteer group to help support the library and to promote good relations with the community. After the establishment of the group they shall work to guide and advise the group on the goals and specific needs of the library.

5. Library Director: the director shall have immediate charge of the Library and be responsible for the care and safety of the books and other library property. The librarian’s duties are:
a) To act as a technical advisor to the Board and to recommend employment of all personnel and supervise their work.
b) To carry out the policies of the library as adopted by the Board and to recommend needed policies for the Board’s actions.
c) To suggest and carry out plans for extending the services of the library.
d) To prepare regular reports detailing current progress and future needs of the library.
e) To maintain an active program of public relations.
f) To prepare an annual budget for the library in consultation with the Board and to give a current report of actual expenditures against the budget at each meeting.
g) To know local and state laws and to support library legislation in the state and nation.
h) To select and order all books and other library materials according to the board policy.
i) To attend all board meetings and to serve as secretary of the Board if required.
j) To affiliate with state and national professional organizations and to attend professional meetings and workshops.
k) To make use of the services and the consultants of the library system.
l) To report regularly to the library board, to the officials of the local government and to the general public.
The Librarian shall also keep exact and detailed accounts of all money received from fines and other sources. She or he shall make a monthly report and an annual report sponsored by the library. She or he shall not incur any debt or liability without express authority from the Board or the Finance Committee.

6. Order of Business at Meetings: An agenda shall be prepared for each meeting. Unless otherwise ordered by the Board, the order of business shall be:
a) The reading of the minutes of the last regular meeting or all special meetings not previously acted upon by the Board.
b) Reports of Officers.
c) Report of the Director.
d) Reports of Committees.
e) Unfinished Business.
f) New Business.

7. By-Laws: To change or amend these by-laws to initiate a change in the organization of the Board, notice of the proposal must be given at the regular monthly meeting of the Board and may be adopted at the next meeting upon the affirmative vote of not less than five members.