[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Coventry 11-12-1991 by Ord. No. 9-91-0181 as Ch. 7 of the 1991 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
BOARD OF TRUSTEES or BOARD
The Library Board of Trustees created in this chapter.
LIBRARY
The Coventry Public Library established in this chapter.
TRUSTEE
A member of the Library Board of Trustees.
There is hereby established and founded for the Town and for all the inhabitants thereof a free public library to be known as the "Coventry Public Library." Such library may include such facilities and branches throughout the Town as may be determined by the Board of Trustees.
[Amended 9-28-2009 by Ord. No. 07-09-277]
A. 
There is hereby created a Town Library Board of Trustees which shall be comprised of seven members.
B. 
The Town Council shall appoint the members of the Board of Trustees. The seven members shall be residents of the Town known for their civic dedication and commitment to ensuring the public library’s continuance and growth as an educational institution. As soon as possible after the appointment of the original Board, the members thereof shall meet and divide themselves by lot into three groups. The terms of office of the first group, consisting of three members, shall expire one year from the date of their appointment; the terms of the second group, consisting of three members, shall expire two years from the date of their appointment; and the term of the third group, consisting of one member, shall expire three years from the date of appointment. With the expiration of the term of office of any such member, the vacancy shall be filled by the Town Council for a term of three years. Vacancies occurring by resignation, removal, death or otherwise shall be filled as specified in this section for the unexpired term thereof.
Subject to the approval of the Town Council, a Trustee may be removed by the unanimous vote of the remaining members of the Board of Trustees, for good cause shown, after such Trustee has been notified by the Board in writing of the causes for his removal. Not more than 10 days after such notice has been given, a Trustee may request a public hearing before the Board of Trustees and the Town Council, at which the Trustee shall be offered the opportunity to respond and present evidence and argument on all issues involved.
The Trustees shall take possession of the library and shall thereafter be the legal guardians and custodians of the library. They shall provide suitable rooms for the library and arrange for the proper care of the library.
All appropriations from the Town, state and federal governments for the library shall be subject to the exclusive control of the trustees, and the Town Treasurer shall pay, within the limits of the appropriations and other library funds in their hands, all bills properly certified by the Trustees.
The 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.
The Board of Trustees shall adopt 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.
A. 
The Board of Trustees shall appoint a Library Director and fix his compensation. The person appointed as Director shall be a graduate of a school of library science accredited by the American Library Association, 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 and fix their compensation within the appropriation available therefor, and shall determine their qualifications and duties.