Library Board

1.  Advocate for the library in the community and advocate for the community as a member of the library board.   To be a library advocate is to work for the betterment of library services for the community.   Advocacy includes working to obtain adequate funding for the library; pursuing opportunities to meet and speak with community groups; getting to know the mayor and city council; making sure the community’s needs and interests are paramount when making board decisions.

2.  Plan for the future of the library.  Planning is one of the most important trusts that the community gives to the library board.  Planning is deciding what is going to happen with library services over the next few years.  It is taking charge of the library’s future and creating it to be responsive to what the community needs.

3.  Monitor and evaluate the overall effectiveness of the library.  The community puts its trust in the library board to make sure the library is operating the way it should.  For example, the library boards is familiar with the library’s budget - where the money is coming from and how it will be spent.  The board monitors monthly financial reports and approves the bills so they can be paid.  The board also helps determine whether the community is satisfied with the service received from the library.

4.  Set library policies.  The library boards spends much of its time on policy issues - developing policies and monitoring the effectiveness of those policies.  (Policy is a carefully designed, broadly stated, written guideline for actions and decision of the library.)  Once adopted by the board, library staff carries out the policies on a day to day basis.

5.  Hire and evaluate the library director.  The board hires a qualified director to manage the day-to-day operations of the library and works with the director, carefully respecting each other’s roles.  The board also regularly evaluates the director to make sure the library operates well and in the best interest of those the library serves. 

                                                   BY-LAWS

Article I
(Membership)

Sec. I   The Board of Trustees of the Fonda Public Library, hereinafter referred to as the board, consists of 5 members.  Resident board members are to be appointed by the mayor with the approval of the council.  The non-resident member is to be appointed by the mayor with the approval of the County Board of Supervisors.

Sec. II (Qualifications)  All resident members of the board shall be bona fide citizens and residents of the city.  The non-resident member of the board shall be a bona fide citizen and resident of the county.  Resident and non-resident members shall be over the age of 18. 

Sec. III  (Organization of the board)
    1.  Terms of office.  All appointments to the board shall be for 6 years, except to fill vacancies.  Each term shall commence on July 1st.  Appointments shall be made every 2 years of one-third the total number, as near as possible, to stagger the terms.  The present incumbents are confirmed in their appointments and terms.  The trustee should serve no more than 2 terms with consideration for time period of vacated terms by discretion of the Board.
    2.  Vacancies.  The position of any resident trustee shall be vacant if he/she moves permanently from the city.  The position of the non-resident trustee shall be vacated if he/she moves permanently from the county or into the city.  The position of any trustee shall be deemed vacated if he/she is absent from 3 consecutive regular meetings of the board, except in case of sickness or temporary absence from the city.  Vacancies on the board shall be presented to the mayor, with approval of the council, and the new trustee shall fill out the unexpired term for which the appointment is made.
    3.  Compensation.  Trustees shall receive no compensation for their services.

Article II
(Meetings)

Sec. I  The board will meet in the library on the 4th Thursday of each month at 5:30 pm, excluding July and December, or at an agreed upon date by the board.

Sec. II  If a board member is unable to attend a stated meeting, he/she must notify the library director and state the reason.

Sec. III  Any member desiring a special meeting shall contact the president, who will then notify all members.

Article III
(Quorum)

Sec. I  A quorum shall consist of 3 members.

Article IV
(Responsibilities)

Sec. I     1.  The president shall conduct meetings by formal procedure and perform the other duties of said office.
              2.  The recording secretary shall keep an accurate record of each meeting and place on file in the library a signed copy of
                    the previous meeting.  The secretary shall preserve all important papers.
              3.  The library director shall keep ledger of receipts and disbursements.  The library director will give a financial report at
                    the meetings and keep a copy of the monthly reports in a 3-ring binder along with an end of the year report.

Article V
(Budget)
Sec. I    1.  The budget shall be prepared by the library director in conjunction with the board for presentation to the council at the
                   Jauary meeting.
              2.  The library director shall make reports available to council, county supervisors, library board, state and regional
                    libraries after the close of the fiscal year.

Article VI
(Amendments)

Sec. I  The by-laws may be amended by giving previous notification.  A two-thirds majority is necessary for adoption.

Article VII
(Order of  business)

Sec. I     1.  Call to order
              2.  Agenda approval
              3.  Minutes approval
              4.  Bill approval
              5.  Financial Report
              6.  Unfinished business
              7.  New business
              8.  Miscellaneous
              9.  Adjournment

Adopted 03-26-2020 by the Fonda Public Library Board of Trustees


Marilyn Niehaus - President
Courtney Walker - Vice President
Janelle Block - Secretary
Julie Harrington
Connie Harmon