[Adopted 7-3-2003 (Title 2, Ch. 2.98, of the 1986 Code)]
A. 
The City of Springfield hereby states and acknowledges that the preservation and maintenance of a Citywide branch library system is critically important to the continuing education of all our citizens. Furthermore, branch libraries located in or near the City's various residential neighborhoods are vital to the continued year-round education of the City's youth and school age population.
B. 
The City of Springfield regrets the recent closing of four branch libraries within this City by the Springfield Library and Museum Association, hereinafter referred to as the "SLMA."
C. 
It is declared that regular and constant library services are an essential City function and in order to provide such services the City must, at this time, institute a library department that is directly responsive to the requests and demands of the City and its residents.
D. 
The City of Springfield, acting through and pursuant to MGL c. 78, § 7, does hereby create its Library Department.
[Amended 8-19-2003]
A. 
There shall be established in the City a Library Department as a department of the City and which is subject to all rights, benefits and duties incumbent on such a department. The Department may lend books and related materials, establish branch libraries, depositories or bookmobile service, and purchase books, recordings, films and related library materials.
B. 
The Library Department shall be under the management and operations of a Board of Commissioners, hereinafter the "Board," consisting of seven persons appointed by the Mayor.
C. 
The term of a Board member shall be for five years, provided that any member may be removed in accordance with the City Charter.
D. 
Three initial members of this Board shall hold office for terms of one year and the remaining members of the Board shall hold office for terms of two, three, four and five years respectively from the first Monday in February next following such appointment; and thereafter the Mayor shall annually, before the first Monday in February, appoint such member for a term of five years from said first Monday in February.
A. 
The Mayor is encouraged to select for membership to the Board individuals exhibiting a sincere interest in learning, literacy and library use and promotion. In making appointments, the Mayor shall strive to reflect the great diversity of this City and as such, and in order to allow more participation on this Board, no member shall serve more than two terms as a member of the Board. No person shall be appointed a member of such Board who has not been a resident of the City for at least three years, next prior to his or her appointment, or who serves as an elected official or department or deputy department head within the City.
B. 
In the event any member establishes his principal residence outside of the City, he shall no longer serve as a member of the Board.
The Board may make rules for the governance of its procedures, consistent with state statute, regulations and ordinances of the City of Springfield. It shall elect one of its members to serve as Chairperson, and no member shall serve as Chair for more than two years consecutively.
A. 
The Board shall be responsible for the management and operations of the Springfield City Library Department and its branch libraries. In operating said Department and libraries the Board shall acknowledge and govern its actions according to the financial support and authorizations appropriated by the City, acting through its Mayor and City Council, and said Board in its activities is subject to the provisions of Laws of 1989, c. 656.
B. 
The Library Board is expressly encouraged to recruit volunteers to assist in the staffing and operation of the City library system. The Board is charged with the fiscal constraints of City and state government to increase and maximize the hours of operation and the circulation and use of its resources.
The Board may locate, relocate, or expand any branch within the City and for that purpose may take in fee by eminent domain under MGL c. 79 or by purchase, gift, devise or otherwise land for the purposes thereof. Any such taking by eminent domain or by purchase shall be subject to the provisions of MGL c. 40, § 14. The City may take and hold in trust or otherwise any grant, gift, bequest or devise, made to or for the purpose of locating, relocating or expanding any branch, or otherwise aiding or assisting in financial support or operations of the Library Department.
The Board shall report to the Mayor and the City Council on an annual basis, within 45 days of the end of the fiscal year, as to the Department's activities and shall include a detailed statement of all receipts, expenditures and liabilities for the preceding financial year.
[Amended 8-19-2003]
The Library Director shall be the head of the Library Department and in charge of the day-to-day operations of the Department. The Library Director shall be a graduate of an accredited college or university with a degree in liberal arts, library science or information science or related areas or have five years of experience as a librarian.
A. 
Upon the creation of the City Library Department, the City shall make an appropriation for libraries and library services to the Board for the Library Department. The City of Springfield may make an appropriation of money to the SLMA for library or museum services as the City may deem necessary. The Library Department, acting by and through its Board, may contract with the SLMA, state agency, City or town, and a public or private library for such library services as the Board deems necessary.
B. 
Any and all contracts for library services, any and all personal service contracts and all other records and business of the Library Department, unless a specific legal exception applies, shall be regarded as public records and shall be made available upon a reasonable basis to any member of the public.