Section 1.  This organization shall be called "The Watertown Regional Library Board of Trustees existing by virtue of the provisions of Chapter 14-2 of the South Dakota Compiled Laws, 1975 revision and 1977 supplement, and exercising the powers and authority and assuming the responsibilities delegated to it under the said statute.

Section 2.  These rules are supplementary to the provisions of the statutes of the State of South Dakota, and the ordinances of the City of Watertown as they relate to the procedures of the library board of trustees.

Section 1.  The Library Trustees shall meet on the first Tuesday of the month at the library at 4:15pm, unless otherwise specified.

Section 2.  Special meetings may be called by the president or upon the written request of three members for the transaction of business stated in the call for the meeting.

Section 3.  An agenda for each regular meeting of the board shall be prepared by the City Librarian preceding such meeting and emailed to the trustees along with the previous minutes and a copy of the monthly expenditures.

Section 4.  Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the deliberations of the board, except when such rules are in conflict with any of the rules provided herein.  

Section 5.  An executive session may be called by the president for the purpose of discussing personnel matters, contract negotiations, or litigation.

Section 1.  Five board members, plus a City Council liaison, are recommended by the Mayor and appointed by the City Council.  

Section 2.  Officers shall be as follows:  President and Vice President.  These shall be elected from among the trustees by ballot at the ¬¬meeting of the board following the mayor’s appointment.  Each officer shall serve a term of one year in such office and may be re-elected in subsequent years.

Section 3.  Officer vacancies shall be filled at the next regular board meeting after the vacancy occurs.  If an officer is unable to fulfill his/her term, the board shall vote upon another board member to finish the term.

Section 4.  The president shall preside at all meetings, certify all actions approved by the board, authorize calls for any special meetings, and generally perform the duties of a presiding officer.

Section 5.  In absence of the president, the vice president shall perform all duties authorized for the president.

Section 6.  The president and secretary shall sign the minutes when approved by the board and sign the approved expenditures from the library's fines fund.  

Section 7.  When any trustee fails to attend at least two consecutive meetings of the board without explanation, the board shall advise the missing board member of its intent to declare his/her position vacant.  Should it become apparent that the board member is unable to fulfill their responsibilities to the board, it shall be the duty of the president to notify the appointing official of the vacancy, and, by direction of the board, suggest two to three names to the appointing official of persons who may quality to fill the vacancy.

Special committees for the study and investigation of special problems may be appointed by the president to serve until they have completed the work for which they were appointed.  Nominating committee appointed yearly; Budget committee appointed in March. 

Four (4) board members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; and a member shall be deemed present at a meeting if, upon the taking of the roll, they appear in person or participate in the meeting telephonically or by other electronic means approved by the board. A quorum may be established by any combination of members present, in person or participating telephonically or by other electronic means.  

The order of business for regular meetings shall include, but is not limited to, the following items which shall be covered in sequence shown so far as circumstances will permit:

1. Call to order
2. Roll call
3. Public comment
4. Approval of consent agenda:
   1. Previous meeting’s minutes
   2. Financial reports
5. Approval of agenda
6. Regular agenda:
   1. Approval of expenditures
   2. Correspondence and communications
7. Report of the City Librarian
8. Committee Reports
9. Old business
10. New business
11. Open
12. Executive session
13. Adjournment

Section 1.  The Library Board shall appoint a City Librarian; it shall adopt policies for the selection of public library services and materials, the governance of the library, and the use of public library services and materials; it shall submit an annual budget request to the City and adopt a final annual city budget and Fines Fund Budget; it shall prepare and submit an annual report to the City Council and to the South Dakota State Library.  The board shall annually evaluate the City Librarian director in the month of the City Librarian’s anniversary date and evaluate on specific goals at their discretion.

Section 2.  Any member who has any interest of a personal nature in a matter before the board shall not vote thereon and shall remove him/herself from any meeting or hearing at which said matter is under consideration.

Section 1.  As the board's Secretary, the City Librarian shall issue notices of all proceedings of the board meetings; issue notices of all regular meetings, and have custody of the minutes and the other records of the board.  

Section 2.  The City Librarian shall administer the policies adopted by the board.  His or her duties and responsibilities shall be defined in the current job description of the City Librarian of the Watertown Regional Library.

These by-laws may be amended by a simple majority of the members present at any regular board meeting that has a quorum, provided that the amendment was proposed at the previous monthly meeting.