Library Bylaws
Article I APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES
Section 1. The Board of Trustees shall consist of seven members; one of whom shall be the mayor, one the superintendent of schools; and five citizens to be appointed by the mayor, at least four of whom shall be residents of Hackettstown. The appointments shall be for five (5) years. The mayor or superintendent of schools, serving as a member of the board, may appoint an alternate to act in his/her place, with authority to attend all meetings of the board and to vote on all questions before the board (NJSA 40:54-9).
Article II OFFICERS
Section 1. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Officers of the Board shall be chosen at the regular annual January meeting of the Board and shall be as follows: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2. PRESIDENT
Shall preside at all meetings, appoint all committees, certify all bills approved by the Board, authorize call for any special meetings, and generally perform the duties as a presiding officer.
Section 3. VICE PRESIDENT
The Board of Trustees reserves the right to fill the Vice President role as needed. The Vice President shall preside in the absence of the President and assume all duties of the President in his/her absence.
Section 4. SECRETARY
Shall keep a true and accurate account of all proceedings of the Board meetings; shall issue notices of all regular meetings, and on the authorization of the President, of all special meetings; shall have custody of the minutes of the Board; shall notify the appointing body of any vacancies on the Board. Corrections in the minutes will be fully reflected in the next month’s minutes.
Section 5. TREASURER
Shall have charge of the special library funds; shall sign checks drawn on the accounts by the authorization of the Board, and shall report at each meeting on the state of the funds.
Vouchers are to be signed by two officers. If authorized by the Board for a definite period of time, one signature shall be sufficient.
Checks are to be signed by two officers.
The signature of two officers shall be required for entry to the Safe Deposit Box and for withdrawals from savings accounts.
Shall be responsible for maintaining an inventory of the contents of the Library’s safe deposit box.
ARTICLE III MEETINGS
Section 1. ANNUAL
The annual meeting shall be held at the time of the regular monthly meeting for the month of January at the usual place.
Section 2. REGULAR
The regular monthly meeting of the Library Board shall be held on the second Monday of each month, at 7:00 p.m. at the Library. All meetings of the Board shall be open to the public in accordance with the NJ Open Public Meeting Law (Chapter 231, P.S. 1975).
Section 3. SPECIAL
Special meetings may be called by the President, or upon the written request of four members for the transaction of business started in the call for the meeting.
Section 4. NOTICE
Notices of all meetings shall be mailed by the Secretary to all members at least five days before the meeting.
Section 5. CONDUCT OF MEETINGS
Proceedings at all meetings shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order – latest edition.
Section 6. QUORUM
A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of four members of the Board.
Section 7. VOTING
An affirmative vote of the majority of all members of the Board (provided there is a quorum) present at the time shall be necessary to approve any action before the Board. The President may vote upon a proposal before the Board.
Section 8. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Members of the public may address the Board of Trustees during the period of open comments on any matter over which the Board has jurisdiction. Any persons desiring to address the Board shall first seek to be recognized by the presiding officer, and such persons, upon recognition, shall give their name. Unless additional time is granted by the Board, each person shall limit their statement to five (5) minutes. All remarks shall be addressed to the presiding officer.
Section 9. ORDER OF BUSINESS
The order of business at the regular meetings shall be as follows:
- Call to order
- Floor open to members of the public
- Approval of minutes (either read or received)
- Approval of the treasurer’s report and approval of bills
- Correspondence
- Report of library director
- Reports of committees (if applicable)
- Old business
- New business
- Announcements
- Adjournment
Article IV. COMMITTEES
Section 1. REGULAR
The Board shall function as a committee of the whole.
Section 2. SPECIAL
Special committees for the study and investigation of special problems may be appointed by the President. Such committees to serve until the completion of the work for which they were appointed.
Article V. LIBRARY DIRECTOR
Section 1.
The Library Director shall have sole charge of the administration of the Library under the direction and review of the Board. The Library Director shall be responsible for reporting on the condition of the buildings and equipment, for the employment and direction of the staff, for the efficiency of the Library’s service to the public, and for the operation of the Library under the financial conditions set forth in the annual budget. The Library Director shall attend all Board meetings except those at which his/her appointment or salary is to be discussed or decided.
Article VI. AMENDMENTS
Section 1.
These by-laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Board with a quorum present, by a majority vote of the members present, provided the amendment was stated in the call for the meetings.
