Valleyview Municipal Library

SECTION 200 – LIBRARY TRUSTEES

 200 GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR LIBRARY TRUSTEES

The Library Board is governed by the Libraries Act and provincially legislated regulations that impact the operation of public libraries. 

The Library Board, through the Library Co-ordinator, has responsibility for the day-to-day operation of Valleyview Municipal Library.  The Library Co-ordinator shall be deemed to be responsible for the management of the library.

The Library Board shall develop and keep current, by-laws and policies so as to provide direction regarding the operation of the libraries:

a) For Library Trustees
b) For Valleyview Municipal Library, to the Library Co-ordinator, staff and volunteers.

LEGAL REF: Libraries Act
 

201 GENERAL ORGANIZATION
 
The Library Board has been in establishment since October 5, 1970.

201.1 Legal Name of the Library Board

Incorporated under the name "Town of Valleyview Library Board" and commonly known as Town of Valleyview Library Board.
Established, October 5, 1970.

LEGAL REF:  Town of Valleyview, By-Law 21-70

201.2 Legal Status of the Library Board

The Library Board has all the powers and responsibilities provided to libraries under the Libraries Act and attendant regulations including the development of appropriate by-laws.

LEGAL REF:  Libraries Act, Section 7

201.3 General Powers and Duties of the Library Board

The rights, powers, duties and liabilities of Library Trustees rest only with the legally constituted Library Board, and not with committees of Trustees or individual Trustees, unless they have been given the power to act by a Board motion.

The Library Board sees its general duties as:

a) Policy Making: The Library Board is responsible for the development, adoption and implementation of policies and by-laws.
b) Planning: The Library Board is responsible for setting long and short term goals in order to implement stated objectives.
c) Financial Management: The Library Board shall undertake to assure that the libraries have sufficient funds for regular operations, for special projects, and for capital needs. It shall develop and produce an annual budget for submission to the Town of Valleyview and MD of Greenview No. 16.
d) Evaluation: The Library Board is responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of its policies and their implementation, and for updating goals and objectives on an ongoing basis.
e) Public Relations: The Library Board shall act as a liaison between the library and the community.
 
201.4 Membership on the Library Board

201.4.1 Voting Membership

The Library Board shall consist of the following voting membership
a) One representative of Town of Valleyview Council
b) The Municipal District of Greenview #16 may recommend a member of their council, who must be approved by the Town Council.
c) Members-at-large (No fewer than three members or no more than eight members) being residents of either the Town of Valleyview or the Municipal District of Greenview No. 16.

LEGAL REF: Town of Valleyview, By-Law 21-70

All Library Board members shall have current memberships in good standing at The Valleyview Municipal Library.

201.4.2 Ex-Officio Members

The Valleyview Municipal Library Co-ordinator shall attend as an ex-officio member without voting privileges at all regular meetings and may assist or attend special or committee meetings as required.

201.4.3 Appointment

Recommendations for appointments of members-at-large shall be made at regular meetings of the Town of Valleyview Council and the recommendations must be ratified by Town of Valleyview Councils.

201.5 Term of Office for Library Trustees

The term of office is three years, if appointed by the Town of Valleyview Councils, and/or for the remainder of the period that his/her predecessor would have held office had his/her predecessor continued in office.

A municipal representative is eligible to be reappointed for 2 additional consecutive terms of office after which a 2/3 majority of their municipal council must pass a resolution to reappoint for more than 3 consecutive terms.

LEGAL REF:  Libraries Act: Section 4 (4)

Library trustees shall ordinarily begin their term in January.

201.6 Organization of the Library Board

The Library Board consists of up to ten library trustees duly appointed. At the organizational meeting in January, elections shall be held for the following positions:

a) Chairperson
b) Vice-Chairperson
c) Secretary
d) Treasurer
e) Any other officers the Board considers necessary

Standing Committees will elect their own Chairpersons.

LEGAL REF:  Libraries Act Section 32

201.7 Library Board Vacancies

Vacancies on the Board shall be advertised by the Town of Valleyview Council, and in the MD of Greenview No. 16 newsletter.
 

See Also:

Appendix 202.1A Trustee Code of Ethics 18
Appendix 203.1A Policy on Policy Making 19
Appendix 203.7A Board Self-Evaluation Criteria 20-22