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Bylaws of the Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees
ARTICLE I. Name
The name of this Board shall be the "Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees."
ARTICLE II. Object
The Pierce County Library System is a municipal corporation which is a Library District. The Board of Trustees of Pierce County Library System shall be responsible for the provision of public library services to the residents of unincorporated Pierce County and the residents of cities that annex to or contract with Pierce County Library System for library services. The Board shall exercise the authority and assume the responsibilities delegated to it in accordance with Title 27 Chapter 12 of the laws of the State of Washington or as those laws may be hereafter amended and applied to municipal corporations of like character.
ARTICLE III. Membership
Section 1. Appointment: In accordance with RCW 27.12.190, a Board of five (5) trustees will be appointed by the Pierce County Council. Any resident of the Pierce County Library System shall be eligible for membership.
Section 2. Term: Trustees may be appointed for five (5) year terms. No person shall be appointed for more than two (2) consecutive terms.
Section 3. Vacancies: The Board of Trustees will adopt a process for recommending candidates to fill Board vacancies.
Section 4. Compensation: In accordance with RCW 27.12.190, library trustees "shall not receive a salary or other compensation as a trustee, but necessary expenses actually incurred shall be paid from the library funds."
Section 5. Removal: A library trustee may only be removed for just cause by the Pierce County Council, as outlined in RCW 27.12.190.
ARTICLE IV. Officers
Section 1. Election: The Board shall elect from its membership a Chair and Vice-Chair at the January meeting.
Section 2. Term: Officers elected shall serve until the following January meeting or until their successors are elected if later.
Section 3. Chair: The Chair of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Trustees, appoint all committees, act and perform all other duties necessary for the fulfillment of the objectives and decisions of the Board of Trustees.
Section 4. Vice-Chair: The Vice Chair shall preside in the absence of the Chair and fulfill the duties of the Chair in the Chair's absence, inability to serve or removal from office.
Section 5. Secretary: The Director or her/his designate shall serve as Secretary of the Board. The Secretary shall ensure that a true and accurate record is maintained of all meetings of the Board.
ARTICLE V. Meetings
Section 1. Schedule: Meetings shall be held approximately monthly. The date, hour and location shall be set by the Board, according to the laws of the State of Washington. A tentative schedule for the year will be set at the January meeting.
Section 2. Special Meetings, Emergency Meetings and Study Sessions: Special meetings, Emergency meetings, and Study Sessions shall be scheduled and notice given according to the laws of the State of Washington.
Section 3. Open Public Meetings: Meetings shall be scheduled, held and conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act, RCW Title 42, Chapter 30 (RCW 42.30).
Section 4. Quorum: A majority of all members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for voting on the transaction of business. A majority of those present is necessary to take action on any item coming before the Board.
Section 5. Absences: It is the intention of the Board to maintain full representation of the members in all policy-making decisions. Therefore, regular attendance of Trustees is encouraged and monitored by the Board.
ARTICLE VI. Responsibilities of the Director
Section 1. Appointment: The Board of Trustees shall select and appoint a competent and qualified library director who shall manage library operations on behalf of the Board and under its review and direction.
Section 2. Responsibilities: The Director develops, implements and administers a comprehensive library program to meet the cultural, informational and educational needs of the community. The Director shall be responsible for the administration of and planning for the delivery of all library services. This shall include, but not be limited to, staff and organization structure, appropriate collections, operational systems, budget, facilities and equipment, and procedures to assure integrity and competence in public service, community relations, and optimum circulation of library materials within the budget appropriation. The Director shall also represent the library to the community.
ARTICLE VII. Committees
Standing or special committees shall be appointed by the Chair from time to time as deemed necessary should a need be identified.
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification
The Pierce County Rural Library District will be responsible for all acts and omissions of the individual trustees in the performance of their duties as a Rural Library District Trustee.
ARTICLE IX. Amendments
These Bylaws may be revised or amended at any regular or special meeting of the Board, with the provision that the Trustees receive copies of the proposed changes at least one (1) week prior to the meeting.
Revised and Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Pierce County Library System, May 10, 1997.