ARTICLE I
AUTHORITY

The activities of the Monroe County Public Library Board shall be governed by the 1947 Indiana Library Law (IC 36-12) as amended and these bylaws. In the event of conflict between the provisions of any Indiana laws and these bylaws, the former shall apply and be followed by the Board.

ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP

The Library Board shall consist of seven (7) members chosen in accordance with the provisions of 1947 Library Law as amended for their fitness for public library trusteeships.

ARTICLE III
OFFICERS

SECTION 1.  The officers shall consist of a president, vice-president, secretary and a treasurer.

SECTION 2.  The officers shall be elected at a February meeting for a term of one year. Vacancies in office shall be filled at the next regular meeting of the Board after the vacancy occurs.

SECTION 3.  The duties of the officers shall be such as by custom and law and the rules of this board usually devolve upon such officers in accordance with their titles.

ARTICLE IV
MEETINGS

SECTION 1.  The Library Board shall meet at least once a month at a regularly scheduled meeting at the Library. Notice stating the time and place of any meeting and the purpose for which it is called shall be given to the public, the media, and each member of the board at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of such meeting and in accordance with the Open Door Law of Indiana.

SECTION 2.  Regular, special, and executive session meetings will be publicized and conducted in accordance with the Open Door Law of Indiana (IC 5-14-1.5).

SECTION 3.  Special meetings may be called by the President, or upon written request of two (2) members, for the transaction of business as stated in the call.  Notice stating the time and place of any special meeting and the purpose for which it is called shall be given to the public, the media, and each member of the board at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of such meeting and in accordance with the Open Door Law of Indiana.

SECTION 4.  A quorum for transaction of business shall consist of a simple majority.

SECTION 5.  Order of business shall be:

  • Call to order
  • Approval of minutes
  • Approval of bills
  • Personnel report
  • Report of the director
  • Old business
  • New business
  • Public/Board of Trustees comments
  • Adjournment

SECTION 6.  Sturgis Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure, last revised edition, shall govern the parliamentary procedure of the board.

ARTICLE V
COMMITTEES

Special committees for carrying out projects passed by the board, and for study and investigation of proposed projects, may be appointed by the president as occasion demands, such committees to serve until completion of the work for which they were appointed.  All committee meetings will be held in accordance with the Open Door Law of Indiana. 

ARTICLE VI
LIBRARIAN

SECTION 1.  The director shall be appointed by the Board in accordance with the Certification Law of Indiana.

SECTION 2.  The director shall be considered the chief executive officer of the Board and shall have responsibility for the administration of the Library under the direction and review of the Board.  The director shall be held responsible for the care 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 director shall attend all Board meetings, except those at which his/her appointment, salary, or performance is to be discussed and decided.

SECTION 3.  Appointments on the staff shall be recommended by the director and approved by the Board.  All appointments shall conform to the Indiana Library Certification Board Rules and existing personnel policies which have been approved by this Board. 

ARTICLE VII
NEPOTISM

SECTION 1.  Persons related to any Library Board of Trustees member or to the Library director as father, mother, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, husband, wife, son, daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, niece, nephew, or person living in the same household, shall not be eligible to hold any paid position with the Library. Nor shall any such relative or person be entitled to receive any compensation for his or her services out of any appropriation.  

SECTION 2.  Persons related to Library employees as father, mother, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, husband, wife, son, daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, niece, nephew, or person living in the same household of the employee, may not be hired or transferred to a position that causes a direct supervisory-subordinate relationship. 

ARTICLE VIII
CONFLICT OF INTEREST

SECTION 1. Board members, in the capacity of trust imposed upon them, shall observe high ethical standards and abide by the Library's values as adopted by the Board.

SECTION 2. Board members shall avoid situations in which personal interests might be served or financial benefits gained at the expense of Library users, colleagues, or the institution.

SECTION 3. Board members shall complete the Uniform Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form annually and declare any conflict of interest between their personal or business interests and their position on the Board. Board members will recuse themselves from voting immediately whenever the appearance of a conflict of interest exists.

ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Library Board with a quorum present, by a majority vote of the members present, providing the Amendment was either read at the last previous regular meeting or was stated in the call for the meeting.

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees July 17, 2019