Bylaws Evelyn Goldberg Briggs Memorial Library
Article I
Identification
The name of this organization is the Evelyn Goldberg Briggs Memorial Library, located in Iron River, Wisconsin, existing by virtue of the provisions of Chapter 43 of the Wisconsin Statutes, and exercising the powers and authority and assuming the responsibilities delegated to it under said statue.
Article II
Board of Trustees
Section 1: Number and qualifications. The governing body of the library is composed of seven members as appointed by the town of Iron River Board and representing Iron River, surrounding communities and the School District of Maple. Another member may be appointed by the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors, as provided by statute.
Section 2: Term of Office. The term of office of trustees shall be three years. The board shall recommend to the appointing official that a trustee serve no more than two full consecutive terms, that a former board member may be reappointed after a lapse of one year, and that if a trustee is appointed to serve an unexpired term of office exceeding 18 months it shall be considered a full term.
Section 3: Disqualifications, Vacancies. Any member who moves out of the political subdivision he/she represents shall be responsible for notifying the secretary of the board of trustees. Upon receipt of such notification, the position shall be declared vacant. It shall be the duty of the president to notify the appointing official three to five names of persons who may qualify to fill the position, When any trustee fails to attend three consecutive meetings of the board without proper notice, the president shall notify the appointing authority, request the disqualification of the trustee, and suggest three to five persons qualified to fill the position.
Article III
Officers
Note: Section 43.54(2), Wis. Stats. Require the library board members shall elect a president “and such other officers as they deem necessary.”
Section 1: The officers shall be a president, a vice-president, a secretary, and a treasurer, elected from among the appointed trustees at the annual meeting of the board. An officer may succeed him/herself. Vacancies in office shall be filled by vote at the next regular meeting of the board after the vacancy occurs.
Section 2: A nominating committee shall be appointed by the president three months prior to the annual meeting and will present a slate of officers at the annual meeting. Additional nominations may be made from the floor at that time.
Section 3: 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 4: The president 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, co-sign all checks drawn on trust or endowment funds, and generally perform all duties associated with that office.
Section 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.
Section 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. The library director, a member of the staff, or an outside agency may be designated to perform any or all the above duties.
Section 7: The treasurer shall be disbursing officer of the board, co-sign all checks drawn on trust or endowment funds, sign all vouchers for disbursements from the library fund, and perform such duties as generally devolve upon the office. The treasurer shall be bonded in an amount as may be required by a resolution of the board. In the absence or inability of the treasurer, the duties shall be performed by such other member of the board as the board may designate.
Article IV
Meetings
Section 1: The regular meetings shall be held each month, the date and hour to be set by the board at its annual meeting. According to Wisconsin Department of Justice as of March 23rd 2020, “a governmental bodies typically can meet their open meetings obligations, while practicing social distancing to help protect public health, by conducting meetings via telephone conference calls if the public is provided with an effective way to monitor such calls (such as public distribution, at least 24 hours in advance, of dial-in information for a conference call).
Section 2: The annual meeting, which shall be for the purpose of election of officers and the adoption of an annual report, shall be held at the time of the regular meeting in November of each year.
Section 3: The order of business for regular meetings shall include, but not limited to, the following items:
a) Call to order
b) Roll call of members, introduction of visitors
c) Adoption of agenda
d) Disposition of minutes of previous regular meeting and any intervening special or closed meeting
e) Financial report
f) Action on bills
g) Library director’s report
h) Committee reports
i) Communications
j) Unfinished business
k) New business
l) adjournment
Section 4: Special meetings may be called by the secretary at the direction of the president, or at the request of three members, for the transaction of business as stated in the call for the meeting.
Section 5: A quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting shall consist of a majority of the membership of the library board present in person or virtually.
Section 6: Parliamentary Authority. Robert’s Rules of Order, latest revised edition, shall govern the parliamentary procedure of the meetings.
Article V
Committees
These shall be such regular and special committees as may be determined by the Board from time to time. No committee shall have other than advisory powers.
Article VI
Duties of the Board of Trustees
Section 1: Determine the policies of the library and develop the highest possible degree of operating efficiency in the library.
Section 2: Select and appoint a competent and qualified library director.
Section 3: Advise in the preparation of the budget, approve it, and ensure that adequate funds are provided to finance the approved budget.
Section 4: The Board has exclusive control of the expenditure of all moneys collected, donated, or appropriated for the library fund and shall audit and approve all library expenditures.
Section 5: Through the library director, supervise and maintain buildings and grounds, as well as regularly review physical and building needs to see that they meet the requirements in order to meet the needs of the overall library program.
Section 6: Study and support legislation that will bring about the greatest good to the greatest number of library users.
Section 7: Cooperate with other public officials, governing boards, and other organizations to maintain vital relationships and public relations.
Section 8: The board shall approve and submit the required annual report to the Division for Libraries and Technology, the Iron River Town Board, and other appropriate entities.
Article VII
Library Director
The library director shall be considered the executive officer of the board and shall have sole charge of the administration of the library under the direction and review of the board. The director shall be held responsible for the care of the buildings and equipment, for the employment and direction of the staff, for the efficiency of the library’s service to the public, and for the operation of the library under financial conditions set forth in the annual budget. The director shall attend all board meetings but shall have no vote.
Article VIII
General
Section 1: 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 president may vote upon and may move or second a proposal before the board.
Section 2: 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 3: These bylaws may be amended at a regular meeting of the board by majority vote of all members of the board provided written notice of the proposed amendment shall have be transmitted to all members at least ten days prior to the meeting at which such action is proposed to be taken.
Article IX
Conflict of Interest
Section 1: Board members may not in their private capacity negotiate, bid for, or enter into a contract with the Iron River Public Library in which they have a direct or indirect financial interest.
Section 2: A board member shall withdraw from Board discussion, deliberation, and vote on any matter in which the Board member, an immediate family member, or an organization with which the Board member is associated has a substantial financial interest.
Section 3: A board member may not receive anything of value that could reasonably be expected to influence his or her vote or other official action.
These bylaws will be in force upon adoption by the board of trustees of the Evelyn Goldberg Briggs Memorial Library on the date of:
November 6, 2000.
Amended and approved May 27, 2020
Amended and approved March 15, 2023
Amended and approved November 20, 2024