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BYLAWS
BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
OF THE
PALM SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM
Article I
IDENTIFICATION & AUTHORITY
Section I. Name
The name of this board shall be the Board of Library Trustees of the City of Palm
Springs Public Library System, located in Palm Springs, California ("City"), and is a
Charter Board as provided for by the City of Palm Springs Charter ("Charter") §609 and
the Palm Springs Municipal Code ("PSMC") §2.32.010 et seq.
Section II. Authority
As a Charter Board, the Board of Library Trustees ("Board") shall have the powers,
duties and authorities, now or hereafter from time to time provided for, and shall be
administered pursuant to, the provisions of the general laws of the State of California
governing Municipal Libraries (as set forth in California Education Code §18900-18965),
unless otherwise provided for by the Charter.
Article II
TRUSTEES
Section I. Appointment
The Board of Library Trustees shall consist of five (5) members and shall be appointed
by and with the consent of the Palm Springs City Council in accordance with California
Education Code §18910 and PSMC §2.32.030.
Section II. Eligibility
All Trustees must either live, work, or go to school within the City of Palm Springs.
During their term of service, Trustees may not hold any other city office or employment.
Section III. Terms of Office
Appointments, terms and vacancies shall comply with PSMC §2.06.Trustees shall hold
office for a term of three years and may be re-appointed for one (1) additional
consecutive term. Trustees appointed to fill out the unexpired term of another member
are eligible for additional reappointments, provided that the total number of consecutive
years on the Board shall not exceed seven (7) years.
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Article III
OFFICERS
Section I. Officers
The officers shall be the Chair, Vice Chair, and Treasurer, elected from among the
appointed Trustees at the Annual Meeting of the Board. No member shall hold more
than one office at a time. Vacancies of an office shall be filled by vote at the next regular
meeting of the Board after said vacancy occurs.
Section II. Nominations
The Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the Chair one month prior to the
Annual Meeting of the Board. The Nominating Committee shall present a slate of
officers at the Annual Meeting of the Board. Additional nominations may be made from
the floor at that time.
Article IV
RESPONSIBILITIES
Section I. Chair
The Chair shall preside at meetings of the Board, authorize calls for special meetings,
appoint all committees and liaisons through a resolution at the annual meeting in
accordance with the Charter and the bylaws, execute all documents authorized by the
Board, serve as ex-officio voting member of all committees, except the Nominating
Committee. The Chair shall co-sign all contracts or agreements authorizing the use of
funds held by the Palm Springs Public Library Trust Fund ("Library Trust Fund"), and
generally perform all duties associated with the office of Chair.
Section II. Vice Chair
The Vice Chair, in the event of absence of the Chair, or of a vacancy in that office, shall
assume and perform the duties and functions of the Chair.
Section III. Treasurer
In the absence of the Chair, the Treasurer shall co-sign all contracts or agreements
authorizing the use of funds held by the Library Trust Fund and perform such duties as
are generally associated with the office of Treasurer. The Treasurer shall make monthly
reports to the Board showing in detail the amount and investment of, and income and
disbursements from, the funds in his or her charge. The Treasurer shall serve as the
chair of the budget committee.
Section IV. Secretary
The Director of Library Services for Palm Springs shall serve as the city librarian in
accordance with Charter §609. The Director of Library Services shall act as the
recording secretary to the Board and shall perform all other duties of the office of
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Secretary. The Director of Library Services shall keep a true and accurate record of all
meetings of the Board, issue notice of all regular and special meetings, and perform
such other duties as are generally associated with the office of Secretary.
The Director of Library Services shall also be considered the executive officer of the
library and subject to the policies established by the Board. The Director shall act as
technical advisor to the Board and attend all Board meetings (but may be excused from
closed sessions) and shall have no vote. The City sets forth additional duties for the
Director of Library Services in accordance with Charter §609.
The Board shall advise the City Manager with respect to the selection and appointment
of a properly certified and competent Director of Library Services.
Section V. Attendance
The Trustees are expected to attend all scheduled meetings. Prior notification of
absence should be made to the President or the Director of Library Services. In event
of an absence, after having received a meeting packet and minutes from the missed
meeting, it is the Trustee’s responsibility to have questions answered and/or obtain
needed information from the Chair. Three consecutive absences will be considered an
automatic resignation. Any Board removals or vacancies will be handled in accordance
with Charter §605.
In the event a Trustee finds that he or she is unable to continue serving actively, he or
she shall submit a letter to request a leave of absence for a specified amount of time
sent to the Chair or the Director of Library Services. The request will be voted on by the
Board and the Trustee will be notified. If a Trustee finds that he or she is unable to
continue serving actively, he or she shall submit a letter of resignation to the City
Council, along with a copy to the Chair, for appropriate action by the City Council.
Article V
MEETINGS AND MINUTES
Section I. Agendas and Notices
Meeting agendas and notices shall be delivered or mailed to the Board no less than
seventy-two (72) hours before a regular meeting, delivered to the City Clerk and City
Manager, and posted in a spot freely accessible to the public in accordance with the
Brown Act. Said notice shall indicate time, date and place of the meeting, and all
subject matters intended for consideration and discussion at the meeting.
The order of business shall be as outlined in the Agenda as prepared by the Director of
Library Services. Items may not be taken out of order except with majority consent of
the Board. No action shall be taken on any item not appearing on the posted agenda
except as provided for in accordance with California Government Code §54954.
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Section II. Regular Meetings
Regular meetings shall be held each month as required by the California Education
Code §18914, the date and hour to be set by the Board at its annual meeting. The
Board may cancel any Regular Meeting by a motion that is approved by a majority of its
members, in accordance with Article V, Section V of the bylaws, and entered in the
Minutes of the Board.
Section III. Annual Meeting
An Annual Meeting of the Board, which shall be for the purpose of the election of
officers, shall be held on and at the time of the first Regular Meeting in September
after June 30th of each year, unless otherwise specified.
Section IV. Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called at the direction of the Chair, or majority of the Board, as
set forth in accordance with California Government Code §54956 for transaction of
business as stated in the call for the meeting. Only matters contained in the notice may
be considered at said Special Meeting. Except in cases of emergency, at least twenty-
four (24) hours’ notice shall be given.
Section V. Quorum
A quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting shall consist of three (3)
members of the Board present in person. To ensure a majority endorses an action, the
number of affirmative votes needed to pass a motion is the same number that
constitutes a quorum. If there is no affirmative vote on an action by quorum, the item is
considered tabled for discussion and action until the next regular, or special, meeting of
the Board.
Section VI. Open Meetings Law Compliance
In accordance with California Education Code §18915, meetings of the Board are
governed by the Ralph M. Brown Act as stated in California Government Code §54950
et seq.
Section VII. Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in Rosenberg’s Rules of Order, latest revised edition, shall govern
the parliamentary procedure of all meetings. However, failure to follow the Rules of
Order shall not invalidate any action taken by the Board.
Section VIII. Action
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 Chair may vote upon and
may move or second a proposal before the Board.
Section IX. Minutes
Minutes of all meetings must be kept by the Secretary as the official record of the
activities of the Board. Additions and corrections may be made only in Regular
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Meetings, with the approval of the Board. Minutes shall be bound annually and kept on
file at the Palm Springs Public Library. A set of minutes shall also be sent to the Palm
Springs City Clerk, City Manager, and/or any Library Liaisons from the City Council.
Article VI
COMMITTEES & LIAISONS
Section I. Standing Committees
The Chair may establish whatever standing committees deemed prudent for the
conduct of the Board’s business, with the approval of the Board. The Chair shall appoint
all committee members. The Chair may dissolve standing committees, with the approval
of the Board.
Section II. Nominating Committee
A Nominating Committee shall be appointed in accordance with Article III, Section II of
the Bylaws. The Nominating Committee shall be responsible for drafting a slate of
candidates for the officers of the board for the Annual Meeting of the Board.
Section III. Ad Hoc Committees
The Chair may establish ad hoc committees for the study of special problems or the
design and execution of special projects, with the approval of the Board. Ad hoc
committees shall serve until they present a final report to the board, immediately after
which they shall be discharged by the Chair. The Chair shall appoint all members of ad
hoc committees. Members must include two Trustees and may also include City Staff,
members of the general public, and outside experts.
Section IV. Authority
Except for the Nominating Committee, no other committee shall have powers other than
advisory powers.
Section V. Liaisons
The Chair shall, as desired by the Board, appoint a Liaison to the Friends of the Palm
Springs Public Library and to the Palm Springs Public Library Foundation, as well as
any other organizations associated with or supportive of the Palm Springs Public
Library.
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Article VII
DUTIES
Section I. City Council Mandate
In accordance with City Council Resolution 17288, adopted October 3rd, 1990, the
Board of Trustees holds the following authority over the Palm Springs Public Library:
A. The Library Board shall manage and control the Library Trust Fund.
B. The Library Board shall establish and amend library policies and procedures as
required.
C. The Library Board shall establish, amend, and periodically review all library fines,
fees, and charges, and ensure that such charges are incorporated into the City’s
Master Fee Schedule.
D. The Library Board shall manage the approval of all library purchases from the
Library Fund (subsequent to the City Council’s approval of the library budget)
and the Library Trust Fund.
E. The Library Board shall develop and amend long and short-range library plans.
F. The Library Board shall manage all library facilities.
G. The Library Board shall consult with the City Manager with regard to evaluation
and appointments of City Librarians.
Section II. Rules, Regulations and Bylaws
The Board may make and enforce all rules, regulations, and bylaws necessary for the
administration, government, and protection of the City of Palm Springs Public Library
System, and all property belonging thereto.
Section III. Budget
The Board may review and make recommendations for the operating budget of the
library, prior to its approval by City Council, ensuring that adequate funds are provided
to finance the approved budget.
Section IV. Trust Fund
The Board shall administer any trust declared or created for the library, and received by
gift, devise, or bequest, and hold in trust, property situated in California or elsewhere,
and where not otherwise provided, dispose of the property for the benefit of the library.
The Board shall utilize a uniform procurement procedure for the use of Library Trust
Fund related to the awarding of contracts or purchase orders, in accordance with the
procurement and contracting procedures set forth in PSMC Chapter 7.01 et seq.
Section V. Purchase of Materials and Property
The Board may purchase necessary books, journals, publications, and other library
materials. In addition, the Board may purchase real property, and erect or rent and
equip, such buildings as may be necessary.
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Section VI. Buildings
The Board shall advise the City Council on the maintenance of all library buildings and
grounds, as well as regularly review various physical and building needs in order to
ensure that they meet the requirements of the library program.
Section VII. Legislation
The Board shall study and support legislation that will bring about the greatest good to
the greatest number of library users.
Section VIII. Incidental Powers
The Board may do and perform any and all other acts and things necessary or proper to
provide library services to the City of Palm Springs, California.
Section IX. Annual Report
There shall be an annual report to the City Council and to the California State Librarian
on the condition of the library, for the year ending the 30th day of June preceding. The
reports shall, in addition to other matters deemed expedient by the Board or Director of
Library Services, contain such statistical and other information as is deemed desirable
by either the City Council and/or the California State Librarian.
Article VIII
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Section I. Political Reform Act
All Board members must abide by the rules and regulations of the California Political
Reform Act as set forth in California Government Code §87100 et seq.
Section II. Statement of Economic Interests
All Board members must submit a California Fair Political Practices Commission Form
700 Statement of Economic Interests, as may be required from time to time to comply
with applicable law.
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Article IX
GENERAL
Section I. Amendments
Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed at any Regular Meeting of the Board by
majority vote of all members of the Board, provided written notice of the proposed
amendment shall have been provided to all members prior to the meeting at which such
action is proposed to be taken. In the event any word, phrase, clause or sentence of
these rules shall be deemed invalid for any reason, the balance hereof shall
nevertheless be applicable until duly modified or repealed.
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Adopted by The Board of Library Trustees of the Palm Springs Public Library System on the 24th day of
June, 2011.
Amended and Adopted by The Board of Library Trustees of the Palm Springs Public Library System on
25th day of September, 2014.
Amended and Adopted by The Board of Library Trustees of the Palm Springs Public Library System on
22nd day of October, 2015.
Amended and Adopted by The Board of Library Trustees of the Palm Springs Public Library System on
28th day of June, 2018.
Amended and Adopted by The Board of Library Trustees of the Palm Springs Public Library System on
1st day of December, 2021.