Article 1: Name

The name of the Board shall be the Board of Trustees of Southside Regional Library, existing by virture of the provisions of Chapter 42.1-37 of the Laws of the State of Virginia.


Article II: Selection & qualifications

Section 1. The management and control of the Southside Regional Library, a free public library system, serving Lunenburg and Mecklenburg Counties shall be vested in a board of trustees of five members: three members for Mecklenburg, the larger county, and two from Lunenburg, the smaller county.

Section 2. The board of trustees shall be appointed by the governing body (Board of Supervisors of the respective counties) chosen from the citizens at large with reference to their fitness for such office.

Section 3. They shall be appointed for terms of four years. Vacancies shall be filled for unexpired terms as soon as possible in the manner in which members of the board are regularly chosen. No appointive member shall be eligible to serve more than two successive terms. A member shall not receive a salary or token compensation for services from the library fund. A member of the library board may be removed for misconduct or neglect of duty by the governing body making the appointment. Upon appointment, the following oath of office shall be taken by each member: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Virginia and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties encumbered on me as a member of the Southside Regional Library Board according to the best of my ability, so help me God."

Section 4. Qualifications for a library trustee are as follows:

1. Interest in the library, in the community, and in the relationship of the library to the community
   
2. Readiness to devote time and effort to carrying out the duties of trusteeship.
   
3. Recognition of the importance of the library as a center of information, community culture, recreation, and continuing education
   
4. Close acquaintance with community social and economic conditions and with groups within the community
   
5. Ability to work well with others: board members, librarian and staff members, and the public
   
6. An open mind, intellectual curiosity, and respect for the opinions of others
   
7. Initiative and ability to establish policies for successful operation of the library and impartial service to all its patron
   
8. Courage to plan creatively, to carry out plans effectively and to withstand pressures and prejudices
   
9. Devotion to the library, its welfare, and progress.

Article III: Officers

Section 1. The officers shall be a chairman, a vice chairman. and a secretary, elected from among the appointed trustees at the annual meeting of the board.

Section 2: Officers shall serve a term of one year from the annual meeting at which they are elected and until their successors are duly elected.

Section 3: The chairman shall preside at all meetings of the board, authorize calls for any special meetings, appoint all committees, execute all documents authorized by the board, serve as an ex-officio voting member of all committees, certify all bills, sign and endorse all checks, and generally perform all duties associated with that office.

Section 4: The vice chairman, in the event of the absence or disability of the chairman, or a vacancy in that office, shall assume and perform the duties and functions of the chairman.

Section 5: The secretary shall keep a true and accurate record of all meetings of the board; shall issue notice of all regular and special meetings; certify all bills, sign and endorse all checks in the absence of the chairman and vice chairman and perform such other duties as are generally associated with that office.


Article IV: Meetings

Section 1: The regular meeting shall be held on the third Wednesday in the month of January, March, May, September, and November at 2:00 pm.

Section 2: The annual meeting, which shall be for the purpose of the election of officers and the adoption of an annual report, shall be held at the time of the regular meeting in July of each year.

Section 3: The order of business for regular meetings shall include, but not be limited to, the following items which shall be covered in the sequence shown so far as circumstances will permit:

(a.) Roll call of members
(b.) Disposition of minutes of previous regular meeting and any intervening special meeting.
(c.) Report of the Librarian
(d.) Financial report
(e.) Unfinished business
(f.) New business
(g.) Adjournment

Section 4: Notice of regular meeting of the library board shall be made by the secretary to all members at least five days before the meeting.

Section 5: Special meetings may be held at any time at the call of any member of the Board, provided that notice thereof be given to all members at least twenty~four hours in advance of the special meeting.

Section 6. A quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting shall consist of 3 members of the board being present

Section 7. Conduct of meetings: Proceedings of all meeting shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order.


Article V: Librarian and Staff

The board shall appoint a qualified librarian who shall be the executive and administrative officer of the library on behalf of the board and under its review and direction. The librarian shall recommend to the board the appointment and specify the duties of other employees and shall be held responsible for the proper direction and supervision of the staff, for the care and maintenance of library property, for an adequate and proper selection of books in keeping with the stated policy of the board, for the efficiency of library service to the public, and for its financial operation within the limitations of the budgeted appropriation. The librarian shall make quarterly and annual reports to the board.


Article VI: General

Section I. An affirmative vote of the majority of all members of the board present at
the time shall be necessary to approve any action before the board. The chairman may vote upon and may move or second a proposal before the board.

Section 2. The bylaws may be amended by the majority vote of all members of the
board provided written notice of the proposed amendment shall have been mailed to all members at least five days prior to the meeting at which action is proposed to be taken.

Section 3. Any rule or resolution of the board, whether contained in these bylaws or
otherwise, may be suspended temporarily in connection with business at hand, but such suspension, to be valid, may be taken only at a meeting at which two-thirds of the members of the board shall be present and two-thirds of those present shall so approve.

Section 4. Duties of the library board are as follows:

1. To secure adequate funds
   
2. To hire a capable, trained librarian
   
3. To determine library policies
   
4. To approve expenditures of library funds .
   
5. To receive gifts to the library
   
6. To work actively for the improvement of all libraries by supporting library legislation in the state and nation
   
7. To become familiar with the State and Federal aid program and with state and national library standards
   
8. To attend board meetings regularly
   
9. To become familiar with what constitutes good library service by reading, attending library meetings and visiting other libraries
   
10. To support the library's service program in daily contacts with the public at large.

Section 5. Duties of the librarian are as follows:

1. To administer the library
   
2. To be technical advisor to the board
   
3. To hire the staff for established positions according to the recommendations of the State Library Board
   
4. To direct the activities of the staff
   
5. To prepare the budget in consultation with the board
   
6. To keep financial records of the library
   
7. To select and purchase books, library materials and supplies
   
8. To prepare and release all library publicity
   
9. To stimulate growth of library service
   
10. To keep the board informed about changes in library legislation and standards
    
11. To attend library meetings

Amended: November 17, 1999
Apri1 23, 2001
July 18, 2001