By-laws

AMENDED DECEMBER 2018

REVIEWED FEBRUARY 2026

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 22, 2018, 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 adapted 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 by the Board from their own number.

The President shall preside over meetings and appoint committees.

The Secretary shall record all official acts of the Board and have responsibility of

all its official books, records, and documents.

The Treasurer shall be responsible for all funds belonging to the library and maintaining appropriate accounts.  The Treasurer shall be responsible for the keeping of an accurate record of every receipt and expenditure with the date, purpose, and amount.  The Treasurer will present a monthly and annual report to the Board. The Board may appoint a Financial Clerk or Bookkeeper to perform the tasks of recording, classifying, preparing disbursements, and preparing financial reports as needed by the Treasurer to properly execute his duty. 

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 engage in a public relations and social media program to publicize and promote the library.

e)      To assist in the preparation of the annual budget and approve the final document.

f)       To establish and update library policies

g)     To attend all board meetings and see that accurate records are kept on file at the library.  Members who miss 3 monthly meetings in a row without cause or notification are subject to removal from the Board.

h)     To be aware of the services of the library system.

i)       To report regularly to the general public.

3.                   Meetings: The regular meetings of the Board shall be held once each month at the convenience and direction 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 stated 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 a majority of Trustees not including ex-officio members.

4.       Committees: The President shall appoint standing committees on a) Finance

b) Personnel  c) Building and Grounds and d) Fundraising.  Each committee shall consist of one or two members.  They shall act under the direction of the Board and report to it from time to time.

The Finance Committee shall supervise all library funds, income, and expenditures.  It shall also draw up the annual budget.

The Personnel Committee shall work with the library director to establish personnel policy, performance evaluations, 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 Fundraising Committee is assigned the task of acquiring discretionary funds for the purposes of the library.

5. Library Director:  The Director shall have charge of the Library and be responsible for the purchase and care of the books and other library property. The librarian’s duties are:

           a) To act as 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 policy changes for Board action.

           c) To expand and execute plans for extending services of the library.

           d) To prepare regular reports detailing current progress and future needs

             of the library.

           e) To maintain an active presence on social media as well as traditional

             media.

           f) To assist in preparing an annual budget for the library in consultation

           with the Treasurer.

           g) To know local and state laws and to support library legislation in the

             state and in the nation.

           h) To oversee the selection and ordering of books and other library

             materials according to Board policy.

           i) To attend all Board meetings.

           j) To attend professional development workshops as deemed appropriate.

           k) To make use of the services and consultants from the library system.

           l) To report regularly to the library Board, and 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 showing circulation, the number of new materials received, programs, displays and activities sponsored by the library. She or he shall not incur any single debt or liability greater than $500 without express authority from the Board.

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) Reading of the minutes of last regular meeting and any special meetings not previously acted upon by the Board

b) Report of Treasurer

           c) Report of Director

           d) Old business

           e) New Business

7. By-Laws: To change or amend these by-laws or 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.

REVISED DECEMBER 18th, 2018

REVIEWED FEBRUARY 25, 2026