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HomeMy Public PortalAboutmay16bylawsWATERTOWN FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY By -Laws of the Board of Trustees Article I Name This organization shall be called "The Trustees of the Watertown Free Public Library" exercising the powers and authority and assuming the responsibilities delegated to it under Article 4 Section 4-2 of the Watertown Home Rule Charter. Article 11 Officers Section 1. The officers shall be a Chair, a Vice Chair, a Secretary and a Treasurer, elected from among the Trustees at the first meeting in January. Section 2. Officers shall serve a term of one year from the meeting at which they are elected until the next year's election of officers. Section 3. The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the Board, authorize calls for any special meetings, appoint all committees, and generally perform all duties associated with that office. Section 4. The Vice Chair, in the event of the absence or disability of the Chair, or of a vacancy in the office, shall assume and perform all duties and functions of the Chair. Section 5. The Secretary shall keep a true and accurate record of all meetings of the Board and shall perform such other duties as are generally associated with that office. Section 6. The Treasurer shall be the disbursing officer of the Board, shall approve all invoices, and shall perform such duties as generally devolve upon the office. In the absence or disability of the Treasurer, the Chair shall perform her/his duties. Article III Meetings Section 1. The regular meeting shall be held once a month at a date and time to be posted in accordance with the Open Meeting Law. At the discretion of the Board, the date and time may be changed at any regular meeting. Section 2. The order of business, or agenda, for regular meetings shall include, but not be limited to, the following items which shall be covered in sequence shown so far as circumstances will permit: a) Call to order b) Public Comment c) Disposition of previous meeting's minutes d) Financial Report e) Chair's Report f) Committee Reports g) Director's Report h) Unfinished business i) New business j) Public Comment k) Adjournment Section 3. Special meetings may be called by the Chair, or at the request of two members in writing to the Chair, for the transaction of business as stated in the call for the meeting. Section 4. A quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting shall consist of four (4) members of the Board present in person. Section 5. Conduct of meetings: Proceedings of all meetings shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order. Section 6. All meetings of the Board shall be subject to the Open Meeting Law, including all requirements for advance public notice. Meetings may be held in executive session only as permitted under the Open Meeting Law. Section 7. All minutes and records of meetings shall be available for public inspection in accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Public Records Law. Article IV Library Director and Staff The Board shall appoint a qualified library Director who shall be the executive and administrative officer of the library on behalf of the Board and under its review and direction. The Director shall be responsible for the appointment, supervision, and removal of other employees under Article 4, Section 4-2(b) of the Watertown Home Rule Charter; The won .for-thelareper--altreetion-anci-supe-PAtion of the staff, for the care and maintenance of library property; for -an adequate and proper selection of books and other resourcesbeeks in keeping with the policy of the Board;7 for the-eft€i maintaininga high standard of customer service--e-the-puiali&_and for its -financial operation administration within the limitsataees of the -budgeted appropriations. -f n the eastr'd,,f par[,TilYae-�?Y koi'pppr?ry employees, the flrevide dDirector shall also prepare an annVahrepprt to tie pr sgnfefl gt a meetipgspec�fied Eby the Boardt� sat@d" : elit4y oril440 Article V Committees Section 1. The Chair shall appoint committees of one or more members each for such specific purposes as the business of the Board may require from time to time. The committee shall be considered to be discharged upon the completion of the purpose for which it was appointed and after the final report is made to the Board. Article VI General Section 1. An affirmative vote of the majority of all members of the Board present at the time shall be necessary to approve any action before the Board. The Chair may vote upon and may move or second a proposal before the Board. No matter may be voted upon unless specifically included on the agenda,aaless-except by a unanimous vote of those present. Section 2. The by-laws may be amended by the majority vote of all members of the Board provided written notice of the proposed amendment haha e -be^^ ^' ^dhas been included in the packet for the meeting at which such action is proposed to be taken. Section 3. Any rule or resolution of the Board whether contained in these by-laws or otherwise, may be suspended temporarily in connection with business at hand, —but such uspcnsion to be valid, may be taken only at a meeting at if approved by majority vote of a quorumwhich two thirds (1) of the trustees shall be present and 3 of those present ,hall -se approve. The above by-laws were unanimously adopted by the Board of Library Trustees, May 13, 1974. Amended January 5, 1984.