A public library is established in and for the city to be known as the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library, which public library shall be free to the residents, and nonresident property owners and employees of the city, and residents of the Metropolitan Cooperative Library System jurisdictions, subject always to such rules, regulations and bylaws as may be made by the board of library trustees. Fees for library services for patrons other than provided above shall be established by resolution of the city council.
(Ord. 1880 § 1, 1994; Ord. 2032 § 1, 2005)
There is created and established a board of library trustees consisting of five members appointed by the mayor with the approval of the city council.
(Ord. 1880 § 1, 1994)
Pursuant to Education Code Section 18911, the term of office for a trustee is three years. No person may serve more than two consecutive terms as a member of the board.
(Ord. 1880 § 1, 1994; Ord. 2156 § 5, 2018)
The board of library trustees shall adopt rules and regulations to govern its proceedings. The board shall set a time and place for regular meetings by resolution, which shall be held at least once each month. The meeting of the board shall be recorded and properly kept. The board shall appoint one of its trustees president, who shall serve for one year and until his or her successor is appointed.
(Ord. 1880 § 1, 1994)
The board of library trustees shall have the following powers:
(a) 
To make and enforce all rules, regulations and bylaws necessary for the administration, government and protection of the library and all property belonging thereto;
(b) 
To administer any trust declared or created for the library, and received by gift, devise, or bequest and hold in trust or otherwise, property situated in this state or elsewhere, and where not otherwise provided, dispose of the property for the benefit of the library;
(c) 
To appoint and prescribe the duties and powers of the city librarian, who shall hold office at and during the pleasure of the board of library trustees. The board shall also fix the compensation for the city librarian;
(d) 
To purchase necessary books, journals, publications and other personal property;
(e) 
To purchase real property, and erect or rent or equip such buildings or rooms, as may be necessary, when in its judgment a suitable building, or portion thereof, has not been provided by the city council for the library;
(f) 
To request the appropriate state officials to furnish the library of any and all reports, laws and other publications of the state not otherwise disposed of by law;
(g) 
To borrow books from, lend books to, and exchange books with other libraries, and to allow nonresidents to borrow books under such conditions as the board may prescribe; and
(h) 
To do and perform any and all other acts and things necessary or proper to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 1880 § 1, 1994)
No later than November 30th of each year, the board of library trustees must report to the city council and to the state librarian, or designee, on the condition of the library. The report must contain the information required by the state librarian in addition to any other matters deemed expedient by the board of library trustees.
(Ord. 1880 § 1, 1994; Ord. 2186 § 1, 2020)
All money acquired by gift, devise, request, or otherwise, for the purposes of the library, shall be apportioned to a fund to be designated the library fund, and shall be applied to the purposes authorized in this chapter.
(Ord. 1880 § 1, 1994)
The title to all property acquired for the purposes of the library, when not inconsistent with the terms of its acquisition, or otherwise designated, shall vest in the name of the city of Monterey Park, and the city may be sued for and defended by action at law or otherwise.
(Ord. 1880 § 1, 1994)
Any person who maliciously cuts, tears, defaces, breaks or injures any book, map, chart, picture, engraving, statue, model, or other work of literature, art, mechanics or object of curiosity deposited in the library, is guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person who wilfully detains any book, newspaper, magazine, pamphlet, manuscript, or other property belonging to the library, for thirty days after notice in writing to return the article or property, given after the expiration of the time for which by the rules of the library the article or property may be kept, is guilty of a misdemeanor. The parent or guardian of a minor who wilfully and maliciously commits any act within the scope of this section will be liable for any damages so caused by the minor.
(Ord. 1880 § 1, 1994)