The Tompkins County Public Library is a distinct and separate
corporation chartered by the Board of Regents pursuant to the Education
Law of the State of New York. The management and operation of the
Library is vested in a Board of Trustees, consisting of not less than
five and not more than 15 members appointed by the Tompkins County
Legislature for staggered three-year terms. The Board shall hold regular
meetings, at least quarterly.
The Board of Trustees shall have the authority to draft bylaws
for approval by the Tompkins County Legislature, elect officers from
its membership, and establish committees. Updated copies of bylaws
shall be kept on file in the office of the Clerk of the Tompkins County
Legislature.
Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, the Board of Trustees
shall have all the powers and perform all the duties now or hereafter
conferred or imposed by the Education Law upon a Library Board of
Trustees. The County, by budgetary appropriations, furnishes funds
for the equipment, maintenance, and operation of the Library. To promote
sound fiscal management and review of Library operations and to establish
proper accountability by the Library of funds received from the County,
the following provisions shall serve as guidelines:
(a)
The Library shall request a budget appropriation in such manner and
at such times as required by the County;
(b)
The Library may purchase directly from suppliers equipment, supplies,
and furniture within the amounts appropriated therefor, shall establish
and maintain accounting procedures in the manner prescribed by the
New York State Department of Audit and Control, and shall disburse
all funds;
(c)
The Library Director shall be appointed by and shall be accountable
to the Trustees;
(d)
The Trustees shall keep the County fully informed concerning Library
matters, including monthly financial reports, minutes of Trustees
meetings, Director's reports, and such other information as the County
may request;
(e)
The County owns the land and the building thereon housing the Library.
The County is responsible for the preservation and maintenance of
the building and the grounds;
(f)
All Library personnel are employees of the Library. The hiring of
such employees, their supervision, and the terms and conditions, including
the duration of their employment and the establishment of positions
and grade scales, is within the control of the Trustees, subject to
the applicable provisions of the Civil Service Law and other applicable
law.
The Board of Trustees may establish a bank account or accounts
in the name of the County Library, and deposit therein moneys received
or collected by the County Library, including moneys appropriated
by the Tompkins County Legislature, and moneys received from fees,
fines, rentals, and all other sources. The Board of Trustees of the
County Library may, subject to the requirements of Education Law of
New York State, authorize the Treasurer to pay all proper bills and
accounts of the County Library, including salaries and wages from
funds in its custody.
The Treasurer shall execute a bond or official undertaking to
the Board of Trustees of the County Library in such sum and with such
sureties as the Board of Trustees shall require. Insurance for the
Library, including officers and directors coverage, shall be covered
under the County's blanket insurance program. Library finances shall
be subject to audit by the County Department of Finance.
