[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.
Employees hereinafter transferred to the Library Department
from the SLMA shall retain their seniority and tenure rights, if any,
in accordance with their length of service with the SLMA.
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.
