Cross Reference — As to streets, sidewalks and other public places, ch. 510.
State Law References — Levy of taxes for library purposes,
§94.070, RSMo.; bonds for libraries, §95.345, RSMo.; city
libraries generally, §182.140, RSMo.
[R.O. 2009 §13-1; Code 1975 §500.010]
There is hereby established in the City a public library and
reading room to be forever free to the use of the inhabitants of the
City.
[R.O. 2009 §13-2; Code 1975 §500.090]
The library and reading room established under this Chapter
shall be free to the use of the inhabitants of the City, subject to
such reasonable rules and regulations as the Library Board of Directors
may adopt in order to render the use of such library and reading room
of the greatest benefit to the greatest number. Such Board may exclude
from the use of such library and reading room any persons who shall
willfully violate such rules. Such Board may extend the privileges
and use of such library and reading room to persons residing outside
of the City, in this State, upon such terms and conditions as such
Board may, from time to time, by its regulations prescribe.
[R.O. 2009 §13-3; Code 1975 §500.100]
Any person desiring to make donations of money, personal property
or real estate for the benefit of the public library shall have the
right to vest the title to the money or real estate so donated in
the Library Board of Directors created under this Chapter, to be held
and controlled by such Board, when accepted according to the terms
of the deed, gift, devise or bequest of such property and as to such
property such Board shall be held and considered to be special trustees.
[R.O. 2009 §13-4; Code 1975 §500.110]
There is hereby created and established a fund to be known as
the "Library Fund" and such fund shall be used for the use and operation
of a free public library in accordance with State law.
[R.O. 2009 §13-16; Code 1975 §500.020]
The Mayor is hereby authorized to appoint a Library Board of
nine (9) trustees for the purpose of operating a free public library,
such appointments to be approved by the City Council. Such trustees
shall be chosen from the citizens at large with reference to their
fitness for such office; and no member of the municipal government
of the City shall be appointed a member of such Board.
[R.O. 2009 §13-17; Code 1975 §500.030]
The first (1st) trustees appointed under Section 145.050 shall hold office as follows: One-third (1/3) for one (1) year, one-third (1/3) for two (2) years and one-third (1/3) for three (3) years, from the first (1st) day of June following their appointment and at their first (1st) regular meeting, they shall cast lots for the respective terms. Annually thereafter, the Mayor shall, before June first (1st) of each year, appoint, as before, three (3) trustees who shall hold office for three (3) years and until their successors are appointed.
[R.O. 2009 §13-18; Code 1975 §500.040]
No trustee on the Library Board shall receive compensation as
such.
Vacancies in the Library 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 §13-20; Code 1975 §500.050]
The Mayor may, by and with the consent of the Council, remove
any member of the Library Board of Trustees for misconduct or neglect
of duty.
[R.O. 2009 §13-21; Code 1975 §500.060]
The Library Board of Trustees shall, immediately after appointment,
meet and organize by the election of one (1) of their number as President
and by the election of such other officers as they may deem necessary.
The members of such Board shall make and adopt such bylaws, rules
and regulations for their own guidance and for the governing of the
library and reading room as may be expedient, not inconsistent with
this Chapter.
[R.O. 2009 §13-22; Code 1975 §500.060]
The Library Board of Trustees 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 buildings and shall have
the supervision, care and custody of all grounds, rooms or buildings
constructed, leased or set apart for that exclusive purpose; provided
that all monies received for such library shall be deposited in the
Treasury of the City to the credit of the 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
vouchers of the Library Board of Trustees. Such Library Board of Trustees
shall have power to appoint a suitable librarian and necessary assistants
and to fix their compensation and shall also have the power to remove
such employees and shall in general carry out the spirit and intent
of this Chapter in establishing and maintaining a public library and
reading room; but under no circumstances shall such Board have the
authority or power to make any contract or agreement in any way whatsoever
to obligate the City for any sum or amount whatsoever in excess of
the amount then in the City Treasury to the credit of the Library
Fund.
[R.O. 2009 §13-23; Code 1975 §500.040]
No person shall be employed by the Library Board of Trustees
who is related either by blood or marriage to any trustee on such
Board.
[R.O. 2009 §13-24; Code 1975 §500.070]
The Library Board of Trustees shall, from time to time, recommend
to the Council suggestions as to suitable penalties for the punishment
of persons committing injury upon the public library or the grounds
or the property thereof and for injury to or failure to return any
book belonging to such library.
The librarian shall make, within eight (8) weeks after the end
of the fiscal year of the library, an annual report to the Library
Board of Trustees, stating the condition of the library and its services
on the last day of the fiscal year, the various sums of money received
from the Library Fund and from other sources, and how the monies have
been expended and for what purposes, and such other statistics, information
and suggestions as may be of general interest. This report shall be
transmitted by the Board to the proper official and City Council and
a copy shall be transmitted at the same time to the Missouri State
Library.
