[R.O. 2009 §11-1; Code 1969 §19-1]
A free public library for the use of the citizens of this City
is hereby established, pursuant to Sections 182.140 et seq., RSMo.,
the same to be located at such place within the City as may be designated
by the Board of Aldermen, and the City may levy and collect a tax
for the maintenance of the library and reduce or increase the tax
in the manner provided in Section 182.140, RSMo.
The Mayor, with the approval of the Board of Aldermen, shall
proceed to appoint a Library Board of nine (9) trustees, chosen from
the citizens at large, with reference to their fitness for the office.
No member of the City Government shall be a member of the board.
Vacancies in the Board of Trustees, occasioned by removals,
resignations or otherwise, shall be reported to the proper official
and be filled in like manner as original appointments, except that
if the vacancy is an unexpired term, the appointment shall be made
for only the unexpired portion of that term. No member of the board
shall serve for more than three (3) successive full terms and shall
not be eligible for further appointment to the board until two (2)
years after the expiration of the third (3rd) term. No trustee shall
receive compensation as such, and no person shall be employed by the
board who is related either by blood or by marriage to any trustee
of the board.
[R.O. 2009 §11-2; Code 1969 §19-6]
A Library Fund is hereby established and all money received
by the City or Board of Library Directors for the benefit of the library
shall be deposited in such fund in some bank in the County, to be
designated by the Library Board, and all withdrawals or payments made
out of such fund shall be made by monies drawn on the fund, signed
by the president and counter-signed by the secretary of the Library
Board.
A.
The
Trustees, immediately after appointment, shall meet and organize by
the election of one of their number as President, and by the election
of such other officers as they may deem necessary.
B.
They
shall make and adopt such by-laws, rules and regulations for their
own guidance, and for the government of the library, as may be expedient,
and not inconsistent with Sections 182.140 to 182.301, RSMo.
C.
They
shall appoint a properly qualified librarian who shall be the Chief
Executive and Administrative Officer for the library.
D.
They
shall have the exclusive control of the expenditure of all monies
collected to the credit of the Library Fund, and of the construction
of any library building, and of the supervision, care and custody
of the grounds, rooms or buildings constructed, leased or set apart
for that purpose. All monies received for the library shall be deposited
in the City Treasury to the credit of the City Library Fund, and shall
be kept separate and apart from other monies of the City, and drawn
upon by the proper officers of the City, upon the properly authenticated
warrants of the Library Board.
E.
The
Board, as a body corporate, may sue and be sued, complain and defend,
and make and use a common seal, purchase or lease grounds, purchase,
lease, occupy or erect an appropriate building or buildings for the
use of the Public Library and branches thereof, sell and convey real
estate and personal property for and on behalf of the public library
and branches thereof, receive gifts of real and personal property
for the use and benefit of the public library and branch libraries
thereof, the same when accepted to be held and controlled by the Board
of Trustees, according to the terms of the deed, gift, devise or bequest
of such property.
F.
The
Board may extend the privileges and use of the library to non-residents
through agreements with other existing libraries allowing for exchanges
of services, upon such terms and conditions as the Boards of the Libraries,
from time to time, may prescribe.
