(a) 
The town shall have and maintain within the town limits a public library. The said library is to be free to all citizens in the town, with the privilege of taking materials from the library under the rules and regulations adopted by the library board and approved by the town council.
(b) 
The town shall adopt rules and regulations for the proper management of the public library, and maintain and promote said library through appropriations of such part of the revenues of the town as the library board may request and show need for the proper maintenance and growth of the library, such request being made in the form of an annual budget to the town council and approved by the town council.
(c) 
All accounts of the public library shall be audited by the town auditor and the expenditure of all money out of said appropriations for the maintenance of said library shall be approved by the town council before expenditure thereof, and all accounts shall be approved in like manner before payment thereof.
(1992 Code, art. 8.800; 2006 Code, sec. 1.1601)
The librarian shall:
(1) 
Be the chief administrative officer of the library department of the town subject to the direction of the town manager and as such shall be in immediate charge of the care, maintenance, and operation of the library facilities contained therein of the town.
(2) 
Attend meetings of the library board and shall advise with the library board pertaining to the planning, development and operation of the library facilities of the town.
(3) 
Recommend for employment required personnel according to the standard procedures as set forth by the town and, upon employment, shall supervise them in the performance of their various duties.
(4) 
Administer, operate and maintain existing library facilities and plan for the acquisition, development and operation of proposed facilities in accordance with the policies as approved by the town manager and the town council.
(5) 
Inform the general public of the services and facilities being provided by the library department.
(6) 
Solicit suggestions from the general public to improve or increase the effectiveness of the services.
(7) 
Cooperate with governmental and voluntary organizations and agencies in the furtherance of library facilities.
(8) 
Prepare manuals, bulletins, and reviews on library problems.
(9) 
Provide, upon request, assistance of technical nature to community agencies and organizations having problems relating to library facilities and programs.
(10) 
Counsel with officials of public and private organizations and other interested groups concerning community library activities and assist them in promotion of library services.
(11) 
Conduct studies of local conditions and needs for library services and assist with recruitment and training of library personnel.
(12) 
Prepare an annual budget for submission to the town manager.
(13) 
Furnish each member of the library board a copy of the library ordinance, with amendments, and such other information that may be helpful in carrying out their duties.
(1992 Code, sec. 8.907; 2006 Code, sec. 9.707; Ordinance adopting 2021 Code)
(a) 
Illegal removal of materials.
No person shall take or borrow from the public library any book, pamphlet, periodical, paper or other property without properly checking out such items in accordance with the rules of the library. Any person guilty of violating this provision shall be subject to a fine in accordance with section 1.01.009 of this code.
(b) 
Return of borrowed materials.
Every adult person who shall take or borrow from the public library any book, pamphlet, periodical, paper or other library property which is allowed to be checked out, and who shall neglect, refuse or fail to return the same within two (2) weeks after the date of mailing a notice to his or her address noted on the current library card, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, on conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine in accordance with section 1.01.009 of this code for each offense, exclusive of and in addition to administrative fees normally assessed by the library for late return of books or materials.
(c) 
Defacing library materials.
Every person who shall recklessly cut, mutilate, mark, tear, write upon, deface or otherwise destroy or injure, in whole or in part, any book, pamphlet, periodical, map or document, picture, or written or engraved or printed paper or any other library property belonging to the public library, or shall suffer any such injury to be inflicted while such property is in his/her custody, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine in accordance with section 1.01.009 of this code for each offense.
(d) 
Responsibility of parents for conduct of children.
Parents and/or guardians are responsible for the conduct or activities of their children under the age of seventeen (17) years. A parent or guardian is liable for any property damage to library materials proximately caused by:
(1) 
The negligent conduct of the child, if the conduct is reasonably attributable to the negligent failure of the parent or guardian to exercise their duty of control and reasonable discipline of said child, or
(2) 
The willful or malicious conduct of a child who is at least twelve (12) years of age, but under age eighteen (18).
(Ordinance 432, sec. 2, adopted 6/12/06; 2006 Code, sec. 1.1602)
The purpose of the town’s public library board shall be to provide free, efficient library service to all children, youth, and adults for their personal growth and cultural enrichment.
(1992 Code, sec. 8.901; 2006 Code, sec. 9.701)
The library board shall consist of the town’s public library board members and the librarian as an ex-officio, nonvoting member.
(1992 Code, sec. 8.902; 2006 Code, sec. 9.702)
The public library board shall consist of seven (7) regular members and two (2) alternate members appointed by the town council for two (2) year terms, three (3) regular and one (1) alternate member being appointed in even-numbered years and four (4) regular and one (1) alternate member being appointed in odd-numbered years. Alternate members shall sit and vote when a regular board member is absent. The most senior alternate member shall first sit and vote for an absent regular member. If more than one regular member is absent, then both alternate members shall sit and vote.
(Ordinance 472 adopted 10/8/07; 2006 Code, sec. 9.703)
The officers shall be a chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, and treasurer to be elected for one (1) year terms by the membership of the board at its first meeting after appointment by the town council.
(1992 Code, sec. 8.904; 2006 Code, sec. 9.704)
(a) 
Any board member having three (3) consecutive unexplained absences from regular meetings of the library board shall be reported to the town council for replacement, and a name will be submitted at the same time to fill the vacancy.
(b) 
Any board member shall be subject to removal by the town council for any cause deemed by the town council sufficient for his/her removal in the interest of the public service, but only after a public hearing before the town council on charges publicly made, if demanded by such member within ten (10) days.
(c) 
The unexpired term of a board member whose place has been removed or otherwise become vacant, except for absences, shall be filled by one recommended by the library board and approved by the town council.
(1992 Code, sec. 8.905; 2006 Code, sec. 9.705)
The duties of the library board shall include the following:
(1) 
Following the rules and regulations prescribed by the town council for the conduct of its business.
(2) 
Acting only in an advisory capacity to the town council in all matters pertaining to the library.
(3) 
Studying and encouraging the development of adequate library facilities for the residents of the town.
(4) 
Recommending policies on library service for approval by the town council.
(5) 
Advising the librarian on problems of development of library facilities, programs and improved library services.
(6) 
Recommending to the town council suggested programs on the development of library facilities, programs and financial support.
(7) 
Having periodic inventories made of library services that exist or may be needed, and making recommendations to the town council and to the librarian.
(8) 
Advising on coordinating the library service with the programs of other governmental agencies and voluntary organizations.
(9) 
Reviewing the effectiveness of the librarian with the town manager and town council.
(10) 
Assisting in interpreting the policies and functions of the library department to the public.
(11) 
Making recommendations to the town council relative to the annual budget for the library department.
(12) 
Advising the librarian on the development of long-range capital improvement programs, and when in its opinion the need exists for additional library facilities, it shall make appropriate recommendations to the town council.
(13) 
Recommending to the town council the amount to be charged as a fee for the use of any library facilities.
(14) 
Recommending to the town council rules and regulations governing the administration of the library program and the use of library facilities.
(15) 
Making any other recommendations to the town council regarding library matters that it considers advisable.
(16) 
Soliciting for the town, gifts, revenues, bequests or endowments of money or property as donations or grants from persons, firms or corporations, subject to the approval and acceptance by the town council.
(17) 
Whenever in its opinion it is desirable or necessary to establish operating hours during which library facilities shall be operated, recommending to the town council such hours of operation. If approved by the town council, such hours shall be posted on the entrance of such buildings, facilities, etc., and shall be deemed as the official hours of operation.
(1992 Code, sec. 8.906; 2006 Code, sec. 9.706; Ordinance adopting 2021 Code)
The library board shall establish such professional library association relationships as shall enhance the growth and service of the public library. It will cooperate with local, state, and national agencies in their efforts to raise the standards and enrich the efforts of library services.
(1992 Code, sec. 8.908; 2006 Code, sec. 9.708)