Vernon Municipal Code Ch. 2.24 Public Library

The City Council does hereby establish and provide for the regulation and maintenance of a public library within the City.

(Prior code § 2.32)

The library established under the provisions of this chapter shall be known as the "Vernon Public Library."

(Prior code § 2.33)

The public library shall be managed by a board designated as the Board of Library Trustees, consisting of the five members of the City Council.

(Prior code § 2.34)

A. The Board of Library Trustees shall meet at least once a year at such time and place as the Board may fix by resolution.

B. The Mayor shall serve as president of the Board and the Mayor Pro Tempore shall serve as president pro tempore of the Board.

(Prior code § 2.37)

The Board of Library Trustees shall have power to:

A. Make and enforce all rules, regulations and bylaws necessary for the administration, government and protection of the libraries under their management and all property belonging thereto.

B. Administer any trust declared or created for such libraries, and receive by gift, devise or bequest and hold in trust or otherwise, property situated in this State or elsewhere, and where not otherwise provided, dispose of the same for the benefit of such libraries.

C. Prescribe the duties and powers of the librarian, secretary and other officers and employees of any such libraries; to determine the number of and appoint all such officers and employees, and to fix their compensation, which such officers and employees shall hold their offices or positions at the pleasure of the Board.

D. Purchase necessary books, journals, publications and other personal property.

E. Purchase such real property and erect or rent and equip, such buildings, or rooms as may be necessary when, in their judgment, a suitable building or portion thereof has not been provided by the City Council for such libraries.

F. Require the Secretary of State and other State officials to furnish such libraries with copies of any and all reports, laws and other publications of the State not otherwise disposed of by law.

G. Borrow books from, lend books to and exchange the same with other libraries, and to allow nonresidents to borrow books upon such conditions as they may prescribe.

H. Do and perform any and all other acts and things necessary or proper to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

(Prior code § 2.38)

The City Council shall, in making the annual tax levy, and as a part thereof, if the maintenance of the library has not been otherwise provided for, levy a tax for the purpose of maintaining such library and purchasing property necessary therefor, which tax shall be in addition to other taxes the levy of which is permitted in the City.

(Prior code § 2.40)

The revenue derived from the tax levied as provided by the preceding section, together with all money acquired by gift, devise, bequest or otherwise for the purpose of the library, shall be apportioned to a fund to be designated as the library fund, and be applied for the purposes herein authorized. If such payment into the Treasury should be inconsistent with the conditions or terms of any such gift, devise or bequest, the Board shall provide for the safety and preservation of the same, and the application thereof to the use of the library in accordance with the terms and conditions of such gift, devise or bequest.

(Prior code § 2.41)

Payment from the library fund shall be made in the same manner as provided for the payment of other demands against the City, provided, that all demands on such fund shall be first presented to the Board of Library Trustees and approved by it. All warrants must be signed by the president and secretary of the Board before presentation to the City Council.

(Prior code § 2.42)

The Board of Library Trustees shall, on or before the date of making the annual tax levy by the City Council, adopt and file with the City Council a detailed and itemized estimate of the amount of money necessary for the operation of the library for the period covered by the annual tax levy.

(Prior code § 2.43)

The library established under this chapter shall be forever free to the inhabitants and nonresident taxpayers of the City, subject, always, to such rules, regulations and bylaws as may be made by the Board of Library Trustees, provided, that for violations of the same a person may be fined or excluded from the privileges of the library.

(Prior code § 2.44)

The title to all property acquired for the purpose of the library, when not inconsistent with the terms of its acquisition or otherwise designated, shall vest in the City and in the name of the City may be sued for and defended by actions of law or otherwise.

(Prior code § 2.45)