Library Policies
Library Board By-Laws

Preamble: Mission Statement

The Berlin-Peck Memorial Library strives to enrich the community by providing lifelong opportunities to learn, connect, enjoy and discover.

Article I: Name

This organization shall be called the Berlin-Peck Memorial Library Board existing by ordinance enacted by the Town of Berlin on July 26, 1986.

Article II: Members

Section 1: The Library Board shall consist of nine members appointed by the Town Council and shall serve for terms of three years or until a successor is appointed.

Section 2: The Library Board shall elect a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from among its members.

Article III: Duities and Functions

Section 1: The Library Board shall have charge of the operation of the Library and may recommend expenditure of such sums of money as are available and necessary for the operation and maintenance of the Library facilities as provided by the Charter of the Town of Berlin.

Section 2: The Library Board shall file annually with the Town Council an itemized statement of the anticipated expenses for the ensuing year.

Section 3: The Library Board shall have all of the powers and authorities granted to the public libraries under the General Statutes of the State of Connecticut as may be amended from time to time. (See written opinion of Town Attorney, dated October 3, 1988, entitled Jurisdiction and Authority of Library Board.)

Article IV: Officers

Section 1: The officers of the Library Board shall consist of a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.

Section 2: The officers of the Library Board shall be elected annually in February by the Library Board at a meeting subsequent to the appointment of any new members by the Town Council. If a vacancy occurs in any of the said offices of the Board, the vacancy shall be filled by the Board for the balance of the term.

Article V: Duties of the Officers

Section 1: The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings, authorize calls of any special meetings, and generally perform the duties of the presiding officer.

Section 2: The Vice-Chairperson shall preside in the absence of the Chairperson and perform the duties and functions of the Chairperson.

Section 3: The Secretary, employed by the Town of Berlin, shall keep true and accurate accounts of all proceedings of the Board meetings and shall have custody of the minutes and other records of the Board, shall provide for the conduct of the correspondence of the Board, shall file the said minutes with the offices of the Town Clerk and Mayor within seven (7) working days.

Article VI: Meetings

Section 1: Regular meetings of the Library Board shall be monthly per public notice filed with the office of the Town Clerk. Each year before December 31 the Library Board shall determine the dates of their meetings for the following year and file notice with the Town Clerk as early as possible.

Section 2: Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson for the transaction of business stated in the call for the meeting giving at least twenty-four hours notice to each member before the time of such meeting.

Section 3: Decisions of the Library Board shall be made by majority vote of those present and voting, and no business shall be transacted without five members present.

Section 4: An agenda for each meeting shall be prepared by the Chairperson.

Section 5: It is the responsibility of each member to attend all Library Board meetings. Any member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings without justifiable cause may be removed in accordance with the Town Charter.

Section 6: Regular meetings are open to the public. Executive sessions are held in accordance with the regulations of the Freedom of Information Act.

Article VII: Order of Business

Section 1: The following shall be the standing committees of the Library Board: Governance, Finance and Foundation, and Outreach.

Section 2: The Library Board shall elect members to the standing and ad hoc committees. The Library Board Chairperson serves as ex-officio member on all committees.

Article VIII: Library Director

The Library Director or his/her designee shall attend all Library Board meetings.

Article IX: Amendments

Section 1: These By-laws may be amended at any meeting of the Library Board by a majority vote of the total Library Board.

Section 2: Amendments must be submitted in writing to the Library Board for consideration one month prior to the vote.

Section 3: In the event any interpretation of By-laws is needed, reference shall be made to the Town Charter.