Library Board of Trustees Bylaws
ARTICLE I
Purpose
Section 1. The Augusta County Library Board shall be established to manage and control the free public library system as established by the Board of Supervisors for the use and benefit of the residents of Augusta County.
Section 2. This Library Board shall have the right to accept donations and bequests of money, personal property or real estate for the establishment and maintenance of the free public library system or endowments for the same.
Section 3. The Library Board shall also implement such programs and practices and shall abide by such requirements as may be adopted by the State Library Board to enable Augusta County to qualify for State Grants-In-Aid.
ARTICLE II
Membership
Section 1. The Augusta County Library Board shall be composed of one citizen from each magisterial district, to be appointed by the Board of Supervisors, for a term of four (4) years, chosen from the citizens with reference to their fitness for such office.
Section 2. No Augusta County Library Board appointive member shall be eligible to serve more than two successive terms.
Section 3. When a vacancy occurs in the office of any member appointed by the Board of Supervisors, it shall be filled by the Board of Supervisors for the unexpired term. In no event, however, shall a member appointed by the Board of Supervisors be eligible to serve more than two successive full four-year terms.
Section 4. No member of the Augusta County Library Board shall receive a salary or other compensation for services as a member, but necessary expenses actually incurred shall be paid from the Library Board’s appropriations, subject to prior approval by the Chairman.
Section 5. Regular attendance is expected of Board Members. If a member is unable to attend a meeting, the chairman should be notified prior to the meeting. If a member misses two consecutive meetings, the Chairman will contact the member to determine if a problem exists. Following a third consecutive absence, the Chairman will advise the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors of the absences. A member’s repeated absences may result in a request to the Board of Supervisors for removal and replacement.
Section 6. A member of the Augusta County Library Board may be removed for misconduct or neglect of duty by the Augusta County Board of Supervisors.
Section 7. The president of the Friends of the Augusta County Library Foundation shall serve as a member of the Augusta County Library Board in an ex-officio capacity.
ARTICLE III
Meetings
Section 1. The Library Board shall meet every other month at a called date and time. The meetings shall be held in July, September, November, January, March, and May. The Secretary shall notify members and transmit the agenda for the meetings at least three days in advance.
Section 2. Special meetings may be called by the Chairman, or at the request of any two members of the Board. Notice of a special meeting shall be given each member at least three days in advance, if possible, and the notice shall specify the purpose of the meeting. Only such business as is designated in the notice shall be transacted at the meeting.
Section 3. Four members shall constitute a quorum.
Section 4. In accordance with Code of Virginia, §2.2-3708.3, meetings shall be held in person with remote attendance allowed in cases where the board member: 1) provides advanced notice, and 2) meets one or more of the qualifying criteria as outlined in B.1 through B.4 of §2.2-3708.3.
Section 4. The business of this Board shall be conducted utilizing the accepted rules of parliamentary procedure.
ARTICLE IV
Officers
Section 1. The officers of the Board shall be a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman, to be elected by the Board.
Section 2. The officers shall be elected for one year at the July meeting and shall assume their duties in July. If a vacancy occurs it shall be filled at the next regular meeting.
Section 3. The Chairman may be re-elected for consecutive terms.
Section 4. The Library Director, or their appointee, shall serve as Secretary.
ARTICLE V
Committees
Section 1. Committee members are to be appointed each year, during the July meeting by the Chairman, with the concurrence of individuals selected. Such committees shall be established as are deemed necessary by the Chairman and the Board.
ARTICLE VI
Duties and Responsibilities
Board of Trustees
Section 1.
- Recommend candidates for the position of Library Director.
- Determine and adopt written policies consistent with the Mission and Vision of the Library, and in alignment with the “Library Bill of Rights” and “Freedom to Read Statement” by the American Library Association Council.
- Establish, support, and participate in advocacy efforts that further the mission of the Library.
- Attend all Board meetings.
- Approve Library long-term strategic priorities
- Review and approve the County Library’s annual budget
- Advocate on behalf of the County Library and residents for resources and services that support the work of the County Library, thereby meeting the needs of community members.
- Shall abide by such agreements as have been reached or may be reached in the future with Staunton and Waynesboro by the Augusta County Board of Supervisors in order to provide free use of those libraries by residents of Augusta County.
Library Director
Section 2.
- Select and appoint Library personnel, following Augusta County Human Resources policies and procedures
- The Library Director and all personnel of the Library shall be deemed to be County employees and shall be governed by the County’s Personnel Rules and Regulations and shall be entitled to all benefits, privileges, etc., thereof.
- Shall report to the Board in matters of library policy and administration, and shall be charged with the administration and operation of the County Library according to the policies set forth by the Library Board in its By-Laws and such policies as it shall establish from time to time.
- Suggest and carry out recommendations for extending library services.
- Carry out Board approved policies.
- Prepare regular reports outlining the current status of the County Library and future needs.
- Carry out the goals and objectives outlined in the County Library’s strategic priorities.
- Prepare and present annual budget to County administration based on feedback from the Board and in alignment with the County Library’s strategic priorities.
- Shall abide by such agreements as have been reached or may be reached in the future with Staunton and Waynesboro by the Augusta County Board of Supervisors in order to provide free use of those libraries by residents of Augusta County.
ARTICLE VII
Amendments
Section 1. These By-laws may be amended with the approval of the majority of the Library Board and with the approval of the Board of Supervisors, by the written presentation of the proposed change at any meeting and its approval at the following Library Board meeting.
Approved by the Augusta County Board of Supervisors July 26, 2023
