1.5.3 General Duties of the Library Board
· To secure adequate funds.
· To hire a capable trained director.
· To determine library policies.
· To approve expenditures of library funds for any item or service expected to exceed $3,000.
· To receive gifts given to the library.
· To work actively for the improvement of all libraries by supporting library legislation in the state and nation.
· To attend board meetings regularly. If unable to attend the board member should notify the director as early as possible, or by noon of the day of the meeting.
· To become familiar with what constitutes good library service.
· To support the library’s service program in daily contacts with the public at large.
· Criticisms of the library service, the director, or the library staff, which are brought to the attention of board members, shall be immediately and directly reported to the director.
· No board member shall release to the public, orally, in writing, or on social media outlets information about the library not previously agreed upon at board meeting.
· No board member shall make individual decisions or actions on library matters, except in an emergency.
· Individual members of the library board shall not entertain complaints from library staff members. Such complaints shall follow grievance procedures as provided in the policy manual.
· The Little Dixie Regional Libraries board of trustees will abide by all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
· Annual public hearings will be held on the annual budget.
· Annually evaluate director.
· Annually review the Technology Plan
· Annually review the Long Range Plan
1.5.5 Public Officials (Updated 04/2018)
For the purpose of ensuring effective and responsible governance of the library district, the members of the library board will be considered to be public officials, not employees. All board discussion concerning any member of the library board shall be conducted in compliance with Chapter 610 of the revised statutes of the State of Missouri (Sunshine Law) and other applicable laws governing public meetings.
1.5.6 Board Censure
In the event of neglect of duty or misconduct, such as engaging in conflict of interest or acting in opposition to the best interests of the library district, by any member of the Board of Trustees, the Board may publicly reprimand a fellow Trustee through a vote of Censure. A Motion of Censure may be brought to the Board of Trustees at any time and by any member of the Board of Trustees, or based on a written complaint setting forth the factual basis for removal, during a regular or special meeting of the Board of Trustees. A Motion of Censure may only be passed by an affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds (2/3) of the Board of Trustees.
A member of the Library Board who is subject of a proposed censure and removal from office shall be notified of the complaint, at the recommendation of the Board President, which shall be delivered at the last known address of such board member by first class mail.
Before the Library Board votes on a proposed censure, the board member at issue shall be entitled to present arguments in opposition to the censure argument before the vote and further discussion takes place.
Alternatively, the board member who is subject of such proposed resolution may resign in lieu of the Board voting upon the resolution.
Upon approval of a Motion of Censure, the President or Vice President within thirty (30) days shall cause the appointing authority to be notified of the Board Censure. If a vote of censure is taken, the library board can then decide whether or not the board member can be removed from the board.
If removed from the library board, actions taken in a board vacancy will then be followed.
Posted online September 7, 2021