Richmond Municipal Code Ch. 3.16 Library Commission

There is created a Library Commission of the City which shall consist of five commissioners appointed by the Mayor with the concurrence of the City Council. Each of the commissioners shall be a registered voter residing within the City and shall have terms of three years. Any vacancy upon the Library Commission shall be filed by appointment by the Mayor with the concurrence of the City Council. No member of the commission shall serve for more than two consecutive full terms. The absence of any member of the commission from more than three regularly scheduled meetings of the commission within any twelve-consecutive-month period shall constitute an automatic resignation from the commission. Such resignation shall not, however, disqualify an individual from subsequently being appointed to the same or any other City commission or board.

(Amended by Ordinance No. 56-74 N.S., 22-85 N.S. and 1-96 N.S.)

The commissioners shall serve without compensation.

At the first meeting of the commission following its appointment, it shall elect one of its commissioners as chairman. The chairman shall serve for a term of one year. The chairman, or in his absence a chairman pro tem elected by the commissioners present, shall call to order meetings of the commission and shall act as the presiding officer thereof. The City Librarian shall act as secretary of the commission.

The commission shall prescribe the time and place of holding its meetings which shall not be less frequent than four times per year. The commission shall establish rules for its proceedings and may adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the exercise of the powers conferred and the performance of the duties hereby imposed upon it.

(Amended by Ordinance No. 9-87 N.S.)

Special meetings of the commission may be called by the chairman or by any three members and notice of the holding thereof shall be mailed to each commissioner by the secretary at least forty-eight hours before the time appointed therefor.

All of the meetings of the commission, whether regular or special, shall be open to the public and the commission shall cause to be kept a proper record of its proceedings.

A majority of the commissioners shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Whenever a quorum attends any meeting of the commission, the concurrence of a majority of the commission present at such meeting shall be necessary to constitute an act of the commission.

The Library Commission shall serve as an advisory board to the City Council on all matters pertaining to the administration of the Richmond Public Library. The commission shall:

(1) Recommend to the City Manager rules and regulations necessary for the administration and protection of the Richmond Public Library and its branches and all property therein;

(2) Review the operations of the Richmond Public Library and make an annual report of its findings and recommendations to the City Council;

(3) Make recommendations to the City Council for capital expenditures and improvements for the Richmond Public Library;

(4) Establish a policy for the selection of materials to be purchased and circulated by the Richmond Public Library;

(5) Call on the City Librarian or the library staff for research and advice on matters of a technical nature;

(6) Engage in a program of acquainting the public with the problems relating to the operation of the Richmond Public Library;

(7) Perform such other duties as may from time to time be requested by the council.

(Source: Ord. No. 1555.)