Pierce County Library System
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Bylaws of the Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees

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 full terms.

Section 3. Vacancies: The Board shall adopt a process for recommending candidates to fill vacancies.

Section 4. Vacancies Due to Unexpired Terms: Vacancies shall be filled for unexpired terms as soon as possible in the manner in which Trustees are regularly chosen. A Trustee appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve the remainder of the term of the Trustee replaced. A Trustee who fills the unexpired term of another Trustee may serve an additional two full terms.

Section 5. No Compensation; Reimbursement: Trustees shall not receive a salary or other compensation as a trustee, but necessary expenses actually incurred shall be paid in accordance with Library policies from the Library funds.

Section 6. Removal: A Trustee may only be removed for just cause by the Pierce County Council. The Board may, by a majority vote of the Board, recommend to the Pierce County Council removal of a Trustee for violation of the Board Code of Ethics.

ARTICLE IV.     Officers

Section 1. Election: e Board shall elect from its membership a Chair and Vice-Chair at the December meeting.

Section 2. Vacancies: Vacancies in either such office shall be filled by vote of the Board at the next regular meeting of the Board after the vacancy occurs.

Section 2. Term: Officers elected shall serve January through December of the following year or until their successors are elected if later; provided, that any officer may succeed himself/herself.

Section 3. Chair: The Chair of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board, appoint all committees, act and perform all other duties necessary for the fulfillment of the objectives and decisions of the Board.

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 Library 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. Regular Meetings: Regular meetings shall be held monthly. The date, hour and location shall be set by the Board. A resolution scheduling recurring meetings for the year will be approved at the November meeting.

Section 2. Special Meetings, Emergency Meetings and Study Sessions: Special meetings, Emergency meetings, and Study Sessions may be scheduled and notice given according to the laws of the State of Washington.

Section 3. Open Public Meetings: Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, all meetings of the Board, and notices thereof, shall comply with the Open Public Meetings Act, chapter 42.30 RCW.

Section 4. Quorum: : A majority of all members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. A quorum is required for the transaction of business or to take action on any item coming before the Board.

Section 5. Absences: When any Trustee fails to attend three (3) Board meetings in a consecutive twelve (12) month period, the County Council may be requested by the Board, by a majority vote of the Board, to replace that member by making a new appointment.

Section 6. Teleconference or Videoconference Participation: Trustees may participate by teleconference or videoconference in any meeting of the Board subject to reasonable technical availability at the meeting location. Such participation shall be permitted for all purposes provided by law, including for the purpose of constituting a quorum and for the purpose of voting on any motion or resolution at said meeting.

Section 7. Form of Action: The Board, by motion or resolution, determines all actions and decisions. Motions and seconds to motions shall be made orally and decided by voice vote. The Chair may move, second, or vote upon actions that are before the Board. A simple majority is needed to pass a motion or adopt a resolution unless otherwise specified or required by the laws of the State of Washington or these Bylaws. The Chair may call the roll on any vote when considered necessary for clarification.

Section 8. Board Acting as a Body: The Board shall act as a body in making its decisions and announcing them. No Trustee shall speak or act for the Board without prior authorization of the Board, except as otherwise provided for in these Bylaws.

Section 9. Records of Board Meetings: The proceedings of Board meetings shall be recorded in minutes, maintained in the Administrative Offices of the Library and posted on the Library’s website. The minutes shall consist primarily of a record of the action taken, including members’ votes. Minutes of each meeting shall be provided to all Trustees prior to the next regular meeting for their reference and correction. At the next regular meeting, the Board shall consider the minutes for approval or necessary corrections.

ARTICLE VI.     Responsibilities of the Director

Section 1. Appointment: The Board shall select and employ a competent and qualified library director (the Executive Director) who shall serve at the Board’s pleasure.

Section 2. Responsibilities or the Executive Director: The Executive Director shall manage Library operations on behalf of the Board and under its review and direction. The Executive Director shall develop, implement and administer a comprehensive library program to meet the cultural, informational, educational and recreational needs of the community. The Executive 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 Executive Director shall also represent the Library to the community.

Section 3. Performance Evaluation: The Board shall evaluate the Executive Director’s job performance at a minimum of once a year.

Section 4. Acting Director: During a short-term absence, the Director may appoint a qualified staff member to carry out the duties of that position. During a period when the position is vacant or during a long-term absence, the Board shall appoint an Acting Director.

ARTICLE VII.     Committees

Section 1. Committees: Committees shall be appointed by the Chair from time to time as deemed necessary should a need be identified.

ARTICLE VIII.     Board Policies

Section 1. Definition: Board policies are those statements duly adopted by the Board to direct the activities of the Library. Additional administrative policies will be established under the authority of the Executive Director or designee and shall be consistent with Board policies.

Section 2. Adoption or Amendment of Board Policies: Board policies are those statements duly adopted by the Board to direct the activities of the Library. Additional administrative policies will be established under the authority of the Executive Director or designee and shall be consistent with Board policies.

ARTICLE IX.     Indemnification

The Library will be responsible for all acts and omissions of the individual Trustees in the performance of their duties as such.

ARTICLE X.     Amendments

Section 1. Process: The Board will periodically review these Bylaws.

Section 2. Review: 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, October 15, 2014.

Amendments to Bylaws Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Pierce County Library System:
January 13, 1947; March 13, 1967; June 8, 1977; July 23, 1980; June 17, 1981; September 19, 1984; November 9, 1984; July 17, 1985; October 9, 1986; May 19, 1993; March 9, 1995, May 10,  1997; October 15, 2014

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