ARTICLE I – NAME

This organization is and shall be known as the Adams Free Library existing in the virtue of the provisions in the Absolute Charter Number 1560 granted by the Regents of the University of the State of New York on December 4, 1902, and excercising the powers and authority and assuming the responsibilities delegated to it under the said charter.

ARTICLE II – Management

  1. The business and affairs of the Adams Free Library shall be managed and conducted by the Adams Free Library Board of Trustees that shall have a board of no more than 10 and no less than 7 members including officers for a term of five years. (Charter amendment as of 1984 – no more than 25 years).
  2. The term of members of the Board of Trustees shall end on December 31st of the fifth year following appointment unless Trustee shall have resigned or otherwise terminated membership on the Board. Members may serve more terms if so desired.
  3. Vacancies which occur for reasons other than expiration of term shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term by an appointee named by the Board of Trustees.
  4. Board members should be residents of the Town of Adams.

ARTICLE III – OFFICERS

  1. The Officers of the Board of Trustees shall be elected at the Annual Meeting or first regular meeting each year and they shall be a President, Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, where applicable, elected from among the Board of Trustees.
  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.
  3. Nominations for Officers of the Board of Trustees will be taken form the floor at the Annual Meeting. The vote for officers shall be by secret written ballot if two or more Trustees have been nominated for one office.
  4. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board, authorize calls for any speical meetings, appoint all committess, execute all documents authorized by the Board, serve as ex-officio voting members of all committees, and generally perform all duties associated with that office.
  5. The Vice President, in the event of the absence or disability of the President, or of a vacancy in that office, shall assume and perform the duties and functions of the President.
  6. The Secretary shall keep a true and accurate record of all meetings of the Board, shall issue notice of all regular and special meetings, and shall perform such other duties as are generally associated with that office.
  7. The Treasurer shall be the disbursing officer of the Board, shall co-sign all checks and shall perform such duties as are generally associated with that office.

ARTICLE IV – MEETINGS

  1. The regular meetings shall be held on the third Thursday of each month as established by the Board. A public notice thereof shall be posted on the library bulletin board.
  2. Speical meetings may be called by the Secretary at the direction of the President, or at the request of at least one third of the Trustees, for the transaction of business as stated in the call for the special meeting.
  3. A quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting shall consist of a majority of the entire Board present in person. In the absence of a quorum the Trustees present may adjourn the meeting to a date to be determined.
  4. The order of business for a regular meeting shall include, but not be limited to, the following items which shall be covered in the sequence shown as far as circumstance will permit.
    • Record the members present
    • Discussion with public or employee visitors
    • Disposition of minutes of previous meeting
    • Treasurer’s report
    • Action upon bills received
    • Report of the Librarian
    • Committee Reports
    • Communications
    • Undfinished business
    • New business
    • Announcements and adjournment
  5. The librarian/library director shall attend all meetings, may participate in the discussion and offer professional advice, but is denied a vote upon any question.

ARTICLE V – COMMITTEES

  1. The President shall appoint such committees as the business of the Board may require from time to time. These committees shall consist of one or more members and shall be considered to be discharged upon the completion of the term of office of the President.
  2. All committees shall make a progress report to the Board at each of its meetings. No committee shall have other than advisory powers unless the board has delegated specific power to act upon its behalf pending a subsequent meeting of the Board for confirmation.

ARTICLE VI. – THE LIBRARIAN

  1. The Board shall appoint a qualified Library Director/Librarian who shall be the executive and administrative officer of the Library on behalf of the Board and under its review and direction.
  2. The Library Director/Librarian is responsible for the proper direction and supervision of the staff, for the care and maintainence of library property, for an adequate and proper selection of books in keeping with the state policy of the Board, for efficiency of service to the public, and for operation within the budgeted appropriation.

ARTICLE VII – AMENDMENTS

The Board may amend the By-laws by a majority vote of all members provided notice of amendment has been sent or delivered to each member of the Board thirty days prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE VIII – STATEMENT OF DISSOLUTION (as amended 2/16/82)

Upon dissolution of the organization, the governing body of the organization shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all the liabilities of the organization, dispose of all the assets of the organization exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety. literary or educational purposes, or to such organizations organized and operated exclusively for one or more such purposes as shall at the time qualify as exempt organizations under section 501 c (3) of the Internal revenue code of 1954; or to the Federal government, a state or local government for a public purpose.

ARTICLE IX – PROVISION FOR NON-INUREMENT AND RESTRICTIVE LEGISLATION (as added to the By-Laws 2/16/82)

No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to, its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay resonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of its purpose.

No substanital part of the activities of the organization shall be carrying on or propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any policital campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

Adopted – October 27, 1981

Revised – August 19, 2004 Approved October 2004

Revised and Approved – February 2009