[Adopted 4-27-2015 ATM by Art.
30 (Ch. 15 of the General Bylaws)]
This organization shall be named the "Board of Trustees of the
Langley Adams Library" (Board). The Board exists by virtue of the
provisions of MGL c. 78, §§ 10 through 13, and 21,
and exercises the powers and authority and assumes the responsibilities
delegated to it under said statute.
A.
The purpose
of the Board of Trustees is to govern the Library with the object
of ensuring that every individual of the community has access to Library
resources in accordance with the American Library Association's Library
Bill of Rights. The Board supports strong, effective Library services
and focuses on overall funding, planning and goals.
B.
The Library
primary purpose is to serve the Town of Groveland, Massachusetts.
The Library shall be an active participant in both the Massachusetts
Board of Library Commissioners and the Massachusetts Library System
and will participate with inter- library lending networks in the state
and nationally.
[Amended 4-24-2023 ATM by Art.
15]
The Board is comprised of volunteers elected by the residents
of the Town of Groveland who would like to further the cause of the
Library and help it enrich the lives of all those who utilize its
services. Each Trustee will strive to aid the Library in achieving
the goals of the Board and Library.
A.
Members.
(1)
The
Board is made up of nine elected members. Three Trustees are elected
each year at the Annual Town Election, as provided for in MGL c. 78,
§ 10. Trustees serve without compensation for a term of
three years.
(2)
Any
member of the Board may resign by providing written notice to the
Town Clerk, as provided for in MGL c. 41, § 109. Upon receipt
of the notice, the Town Clerk will notify the Board members.
(3)
A
vacancy on the Board shall be filled by a joint majority vote of the
Board and the Board of Selectmen in accordance with MGL c. 41, § 11.
Each member of each board has one vote.
(4)
Any
member who misses four consecutive meetings will receive a letter
from the Chair reminding the member that regular attendance is a responsibility
of all Trustees and that those unable to attend regularly should consider
resigning from the Board. Copies of these letters shall be included
in the minutes of the Board. In the event of illness or other extenuating
circumstances, exceptions to this provision may be made by a formal
vote of the Board.
B.
Officers.
(2)
The
Officers shall be elected by the Board at the June meeting of the
Board or the earliest meeting after the Annual Town Elections. The
officers shall not preside for more than two successive terms, with
the exception of the Office of the Treasurer, which is bonded, and
unless there are unforeseen circumstances. A term is designated as
one fiscal year.
(3)
Duties
of officers. Each officer shall be responsible to perform the duties
and responsibilities assigned to the position during the duration
of their term. Each position will have the following duties:
(d)
Treasurer.
[1]
Keep informed of financial status, funding sources and needs of the
Library and report them to the Board at meetings.
[2]
Record all funds from fund-raising activities and provide funds to
Town Treasurer to be deposited in designated accounts.
[3]
Ensure all expenditures have proper signatures.
[4]
This is a bonded position.
C.
Responsibilities
of the Board of Trustees.
(1)
The
Board shall have those responsibilities as provided by MGL § 78,
§ 11, the Bylaws of the Town of Groveland and these bylaws.
(2)
The
Board shall have the care, custody and control of the Library holdings,
including conducting annual reviews of the Director prior to the preparation
of the budget for the next fiscal year. The Board shall also be responsible
for conducting a search and appointing a new Director, if necessary.
(3)
The
Board will ensure that all monies raised and/or appropriated by the
Town for the support and maintenance of the Library shall be expended
in accordance with MGL § 78, § 11. In addition,
all money or property received by bequest or gift for the Library
shall be administered by the Board in accordance with the provisions
of such gift or bequest.
(4)
The
Board will also be responsible for approving the Library's annual
budget and will ensure that the Director provides a report to the
Town annually in accordance with MGL c. 78, § 12.
(5)
All
decisions of the Board are to be made by the Board as a collective
body and no individual member may make decisions or, with the exception
of the Chairperson, act or speak for the Board unless specifically
authorized to do so by a majority vote of the Board.
A.
The Board
shall hold monthly meetings at a location, date and time agreed to
by the Board. All meetings shall be open to the public under the provisions
of the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law. Meetings of the Board or committees
may be held by electronic means (videoconferencing, teleconferencing,
etc.), provided that all members participating can hear and speak
to each other simultaneously and a mechanism is in place to allow
the public to participate. When required, the Board will meet in executive
session in accordance with Open Meeting Law procedures.
B.
Meeting
notices shall be filed with the Town Clerk at least one week prior
to the meeting date and time.
[Amended 4-24-2023 ATM by Art.
15]
C.
A copy
of all minutes shall be made available to the Town Clerk's office.
The Town Clerk's office will make all minutes available to the public
in accordance with its rules and procedures.
D.
A majority
of the Board members shall constitute a quorum.
E.
The MBLC
rules govern the Board in all cases to which they are applicable and
consistent with these bylaws. When MBLC rules are in question, the
Board will follow those contained in the current edition of Robert's
Rules of Order.
A.
The Board
shall appoint a Director, who shall be the executive officer of the
policies of the Board and shall have charge of the administration
of the Library under the direction and review of the Board.
B.
The Library
Director shall select and recommend appointment of employees to the
Board of Selectmen, and shall be responsible for the proper direction
and supervision of staff; for the care and maintenance of Library
property; for the selection of books and other Library materials and
maintenance of the Library’s materials collection for the effectiveness
of Library services to the public; and for the Library’s financial
operation within the limitations of the approved budget. The Library
Director shall attend all Board meetings and shall advise the Board
in Library matters, including making policy and budget recommendations.
To the extent that any provision of these bylaws is inconsistent
with any provision of the Massachusetts General Laws or the Town Bylaws
or Charter, the Massachusetts General Laws or the Town Bylaws or Charter,
as the case may be, shall govern. In the event any article, section,
subsection or provision of any article of these bylaws shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the
validity or constitutionality of any other article or any other section,
subsection or provision.
[Added 4-24-2023 ATM by Art. 15]
These bylaws shall be reviewed by the Board at least every five
years.
