By-Laws

By-Laws of the Board of Trustees
Jensen Memorial Library
Minden, Nebraska 68959

 

ARTICLE I. PURPOSE

The purpose of the Board of Trustees shall be to develop a library in terms of books and other library resources, building and personnel that meets the highest standards according to the needs of the community. To this end, the Board shall:

 

  1. Determine library policies.
  2. Employ a capable, trained library director, and provide for appropriate staff.
  3. Secure adequate funds.
  4. Approve expenditure of library funds.
  5. Receive gifts to the library.
  6. Provide and maintain adequate facilities.
  7. Insure a representative selection of books and other library resources.
  8. Participate actively in cooperative efforts to improve local library services.
  9. Participate actively in Continuing Education hours to maintain Board Certification as defined by the NLC accreditation standards.

 

ARTICLE II. BOARD MEMBERS

  1. The Board of Trustees is composed of five members, each of whom holds office for four years.
  2. Trustees are appointed by the Mayor and he/she may remove any Trustee for misconduct or neglect of duty.
  3. Trustees must reside in Kearney County.

 

ARTICLE III. OFFICERS

Section 1

The officers of the Board shall be a President and a Secretary, each of whom shall serve for a term of one (1) year.

 

Section 2

The President shall preside at all meetings, appoint all committees with the approval of the Board, certify all bills approved by the Board by signing the payment vouchers, authorize calls for special meetings, and generally perform the duties of a presiding officer.

 

 

 

Section 3

The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings, shall have custody of the minutes and other records of the Board not specifically assigned to other officers, and shall notify the Mayor of any vacancies occurring on the Board of Trustees.

 

Section 4

At the January meeting, the highest-ranking officer present from among the previous officers shall call the meeting to order. The Board shall then conduct the roll call and election of officers. The terms of newly elected officers shall begin immediately after the election.

 

Section 5

No trustee shall hold more than one office at any one time.

 

ARTICLE IV. MEETINGS

Section 1

Regular meetings of the Board shall be held monthly in the Crane Room of the Jensen Memorial Library. Meetings shall be held at a fixed time and date determined in advance by the Board and recorded in the minutes. Changes in the time and date for future meetings may be made at any regular or special meeting of the Board.

 

Section 2

Three (3) members shall constitute a quorum.

 

Section 3

Special meetings may be called by the President, or upon written request of three (3) members. At special meetings only such matters of business may be transacted as are stated in the call for the special meeting.

 

Section 4

Notice of all regular and special meetings shall be emailed by the Library Director to each member of the Board at least (3) three days before the date of the meeting.

 

ARTICLE V. DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS

Section 1

Disbursement shall be made only upon authorization by the Board and within the limits of the budget.

 

Section 2

All disbursements shall be by voucher signed by the President and initialed by the Secretary or in the absence of either President or Secretary by another member of the Board.

ARTICLE VI. ADMINISTRATION

Section 1

The Library Director shall implement the policies adopted by the Board.  Among the Director’s duties and responsibilities shall be the direction and supervision of all staff members in their duties; the submission to the Board of monthly and annual reports; and recommendations to the Board of such policies and procedures as, in the opinion of the Director, will promote the efficiency of the library and its service to the people of the community.

 

Section 2

The Board shall make and adopt such rules and regulations for the operation and government of the library as will promote the proper and efficient use of the facilities.

 

Section 3

The Board may exclude from the use of the library any persons who willfully violate the library policies. Such persons may be liable to further penalties as prescribed by City Ordinances.

 

 

ARTICLE VII. PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

The rules contained in “Roberts Rules of Order Revised” shall govern the Board in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws.

 

ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting by two-thirds affirmative vote of the members present and voting, provided that notice of the proposed amendment was stated in the posted meeting agenda.

 

ARTICLE IX. COMMITTEES

Section 1.

The President shall appoint the following standing committees.

  1. Facility & Property
  2. Budget & Finance
  3. Personnel
  4. Policy & By-Laws
  5. Public Relations, Special Activities, & Trustee Education

 

 

 

 

 

 

Section 2.

The committees shall have the following responsibilities:

  1. Facility & Property shall have the responsibility of making recommendations to the Board regarding matters pertaining to the care and replacement of all physical properties of the Library except for the Library collection.
  2. Budget & Finance shall have the responsibility of making recommendations to the Board regarding fiscal matters, including payment of claims, keeping of records, allocation of expenditures to budget division and preparation of the budget for presentation to various governing agencies.
  3. Personnel shall have the responsibility of making recommendations to the Board regarding matters relating to the personnel policy and the evaluation of the director.
  4. Policy & By-Laws shall have the responsibility for the library policy and trustee by-laws and makes recommendations to the Board of any changes or improvements.
  5. Public Relations, Special Activities, & Trustee Education shall be responsible for encouraging attendance at trustee education events and providing education opportunities at Board meetings. Also, the committee shall make recommendations to the Board as to public relations and special activities that the Library and Board should undertake.

 

Section 3.

The President, for the study and investigation of special problems, may appoint special committees. Such committees will serve until the work for which they were appointed is completed.

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