By-Laws
BLAKE
MEMORIAL LIBRARY BYLAWS
(dated April 5, 2000)
I
The Blake Memorial Library Association of East Corinth, Vermont, was incorporated under the laws for the State of Vermont, and filed with the Secretary of State on January 11, 1902, and amended on April 4, 2000.
II
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Association shall be to maintain a public library in the village of East Corinth in the county of Orange in the State of Vermont to serve the people of East Corinth and vicinity.
III
BYLAWS
1. The bylaws shall be the responsibility of the Board of Trustees who shall be elected as managers of all the affairs of the Blake Memorial Library.
2. The bylaws may be adopted and amended by a ¾ vote at a trustee’s meeting duly warned and called for that purpose.
IV
MEMBERSHIP
1. Number:
There shall be not less than 30 or more than 100 members.
2. Eligibility:
Three quarters of the membership shall reside within the towns of Corinth and Topsham.
3. Qualifications:
A. Members shall have an active interest in the welfare of the library and community.
B. They shall be available, capable, and willing from time to time to assist as volunteers, to hold office, and to serve on committees.
C. Members shall make every effort to attend meetings. They may occasionally vote by written proxy.
D. Absence from three (3) consecutive annual meetings shall result in loss of membership.
4. Types of Membership:
There are three types of membership:
A. Regular members who shall be active and voting.
B. Junior members who shall be aged 12 to 18, active but without vote. Their number shall be counted toward the quota of 100.
C. Honorary who shall be longtime members no longer active. Their number shall not be counted toward the quota.
5. Election:
A. Members who are eligible and qualified shall be elected at the Annual Meeting upon nomination from the floor and by written ballot.
B. Those placing names in nomination shall identify and state qualifications of the nominees.
6. Privileges:
A. Each regular member is entitled to one vote.
B. Members are entitled to make suggestions for the common good to the Board of Trustees. Such suggestions may be made in open discussion at regular meetings of the Association or by written communication at any time. Same may be sent the librarian, secretary or any trustee.
C. Members may submit written recommendations for books or materials for the consideration of the librarian and book selection committee.
7. Responsibilities:
Association members are responsible for electing a board of seven (7) competent trustees who shall be the managers of all the affairs of the library as nearly as possible with respect for the wishes of the donors; Nathan Blake Jr., Charles Blake, and their sister, Almira Blake Fenno Gendrot.
V
TRUSTEES
1. Election:
A. The Board of Trustees shall be elected to serve rotating terms.
B. Each of the seven shall be elected separately by written ballot upon nomination and second, with the exception of the 8th trustee who is either elected by public ballot or appointed by town officials.
C. In 1990 (the first year of rotating terms), their respective terms shall be determined by lot. Two Trustees serve for one year, two for two years, and three for three years.
D. In subsequent years, expiring terms shall be filled by electing either or three trustees as indicated by the number retiring.
E. Retiring Trustees shall remain on the board in an advisory capacity, without a vote for period of one year.
F. After the expiration of one elected term, a trustee shall be ineligible for re-election for a period of one year.
G. In the case of a vacancy, the Board shall fill such vacancy until a successor is elected at the next regular meeting of the Association.
H. The Board of Trustees will meet directly after the Annual Meeting of the Association to establish a time for its first trustees’ meeting, to be held in executive session: Said meeting to be within 21 days of the Annual Association Meeting.
I. The Board of Trustees shall meet at least quarterly at which time the business of management shall be conducted.
J. The Board of Trustees shall elect annually the President, 1st Vice-President, and 2nd Vice-President.
K. The Board of Trustees shall elect annually a Treasurer and Secretary who shall both be members of the Association and shall appoint other positions as policy shall direct.
VI
MEETINGS
1. Annual:
A. The Annual Meeting of the Blake Memorial Library Association shall be held the fourth Tuesday in April at 7:30 p.m. at the Blake Memorial Library or at some convenient nearby place.
B. One week’s notice of all meetings shall be given by phone, card, or letter as circumstances require.
C. Special meetings of the Association may be called by the President or a representative upon application of 20 percent of the membership.
D. Quorum – 15 percent of the membership shall constitute a quorum at any warned meeting.
E. Parliamentary Authority: Robert’s Rules of Order Revised shall govern the library in all elementary procedures in which they are applicable.
VII
OFFICERS & COMMITTEES
1. Officers and committees shall be elected or appointed by the Board of Trustees from the membership of the Association.
2. The officers shall be the President, 1st Vice-President, 2nd Vice-President, and Secretary.
Committees shall be as follows:
A. Finance Committee of three.
B. Book Selecting Committee of not less than seven or more than 13.
C. Auditors – two
VIII
PERSONNEL
The Board of Trustees shall appoint and set compensation for the following:
A. Librarian
B. Assistant Librarian
C. Treasurer
D. Others as determined necessary
IX
BYLAWS
DISSOLUTION
The Blake Memorial Library Association may vote to dissolve after duly warned meetings by a vote of 51 percent of the membership. The assets of the Association shall be donated to the nearest library within the town of Corinth.
If no library exists or is planned in said town, assets shall be used to establish a fund to help meet the medical needs of the residents of the town of Corinth who are in need of such assistance. Terms of such a fund to be established by a Board elected at such time as dissolution takes place.
Originated: March 4, 1988