[Ord. of 8-12-1971, § 1]
There is established and founded for the Town and for all the
inhabitants thereof a free public library to be known as the Cumberland
Public Library. Such library may include such facilities and branches
throughout the Town as may be determined by the board of trustees.
[Ord. of 8-12-1971, §§ 2,
3, 6, 7]
(a) Upon establishment of the public library, the Town Council shall
elect the original board of trustees of the public library, which
shall consist of seven members, residents of the Town, known for their
civic dedication and known to be devoted to the public library as
an educational institution. As soon as possible after the election
of the original board, the members thereof shall meet and divide themselves
by lot into three groups. The terms of office of the original members
of the three groups shall be staggered. With the expiration of the
term of office of any member, the vacancy shall be filled by the Town
Council for the term of three years. Vacancies occurring by resignation,
removal, death or otherwise shall be filled as provided in this section
for the unexpired term thereof. The members of the board of trustees
shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for their
expenses.
(b) The board of trustees of the public library shall take possession
of the entire assets of the Arnold Mills Public Library, the Sherman
LeClerc Public Library and the Valley Falls Public Library and shall
be the legal guardians and custodians of the libraries. They shall
provide suitable rooms for the library, arrange for the proper care
and maintenance of the library, appoint a director of the public library
and such other competent persons as librarians as they may deem necessary
and fix their compensation and make all needful rules and regulations
for the government of the library and the use of the books, provided
that no fee for the use of the books shall ever be exacted.
(c) The board of trustees shall be charged with all duties imposed by
law, including but not limited to the duties of executing the terms
of the trust, acting with good faith and using reasonable care and
diligence in the execution of the trust.
(d) A trustee may be removed by the Town Council for good cause shown,
after a trustee has been notified by the Town Council in writing of
the causes for his removal. Not more than 10 days after notice has
been given, a trustee may request a public hearing before the Town
Council at which the trustee shall be offered the opportunity to respond
and present evidence and argument on all issues involved.
[Ord. of 8-12-1971, § 4 ]
(a) The person appointed as director of the library shall be a graduate
of a school of library science, accredited by the American Library
Association, and shall have administrative experience in a public
library and shall have such other qualifications as the board of trustees
may determine.
(b) The board of trustees may appoint such other librarians, assistants
and employees as it may deem necessary within the appropriation available
therefor and shall affix and determine their qualifications and duties.
[Ord. of 8-12-1971, § 5]
The board of trustees of the public library may expend the income
of all funds belonging to the library and such funds as may from time
to time be appropriated by the Town Council, for the purpose of the
maintenance, operating expenses and expansion of such library and
for land, buildings and capital improvements for such library. The
Town treasurer shall pay, within the limits of the appropriations
and other library funds in the hands of the board of trustees, all
bills properly certified by the trustees.