By-Laws

I. NAME OF ORGANIZATION

The name of the organization shall be Wadsworth Library. Wadsworth Library, a corporation created under a charter granted under Section 253 of the New York State Education Law by the Board of Regents of the State of New York, dated September 16, 2008, shall be governed by the laws of New York State, the regulations of the Commissioner of Education and by the following bylaws.

II. PURPOSE

The purpose of the organization is to provide public library services to the residents of the communities of the Geneseo Central School District.

III. FISCAL

The fiscal year of the library shall be July 1 to June 30.

IV. BOARD OF TRUSTEES

  1. The library shall be governed by a Board of Trustees. The Board shall consist of seven members, elected for terms of three years each to be elected by the residents of the Geneseo Central School District. Terms begin July 1 and end on June 30.
  2. Eligibility for office shall be limited to adults residing or owning property within the geographical limits of the library district.
  3. All elected and appointed Trustees must file an Oath of Office in accordance with Public Officers Law within 30 days of the start of their term or the date of their appointment.
  4. Absence from three consecutive regular meetings shall result in  dismissal from the Board unless the Board defers this dismissal by majority vote. The President shall inform the absent Board Member in writing that  they are no longer on the Board. If the dismissal is deferred by Board action the President shall inform the absent Board Member in writing of any conditions required to avoid dismissal.
  5. When a vacancy occurs on the Board of Trustees, the trustees may appoint someone to fill the vacancy until the next annual election, at which time an election will be held to fill the unexpired term.  An announcement to the board seeking nominations to fill the vacancy must occur at least 2 weeks prior to the vacancy appointment.
  6. Each Trustee shall have one vote, irrespective of office held.
  7. A Trustee must be present at a meeting to have their vote counted.
  8. All actions of the Board shall  follow collective authority. No Board member shall act on behalf of the Board, on any matter, without prior approval of the Board. No Board member by virtue of  their office shall exercise any administrative responsibility with respect to the library nor, as an individual, command the services of any library employee.

V. OFFICERS

  1. The officers of the Board shall be the President, Vice-President, Financial Officer, and Secretary appointed annually by the Board at the annual meeting. These officers shall serve for a period of one year or until their successors shall have been duly appointed.
  2. The duties of such officers shall be as follows:
    1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board, authorize calls for any special meetings, appoint all committees, and shall perform such other duties as are generally associated with that office.
    2. The Vice President, in the event of the absence or disability of the President, or of a vacancy in that office, shall assume and perform the duties and functions of the President.
    3. The Finance Officer shall assist in monitoring financial operations of the library and shall perform such duties as may be assigned by the board. In the absence or inability of the Treasurer, the Finance Officer may perform the Treasurer’s duties as authorized by the Board.
    4. The Secretary shall keep a true and accurate record of all meetings of the Board, shall ensure notice is issued of all regular and special meetings, and shall perform such other duties as are generally associated with that office.

VI. DIRECTOR AND TREASURER

  1. The Board shall appoint a Director who shall be the executive officer of the policies of the Board and shall have charge of the administration of the library under the direction and review of the Board. The Director shall be responsible for the care of the buildings and equipment; for the employment and direction of the staff; for the efficiency of the library’s service to the public; and for the operation of the library under the financial conditions contained in the annual budget. The Director shall render and submit to the Board reports and recommendations of such policies and procedures, which, in the opinion of the Director, will improve efficiency and quality of library service. The Director shall attend all Board meetings except the portion of the meeting at which the director’s appointment or salary is to be discussed or decided. The Director shall have no vote and is not a member of the Board. The Director is a paid position.
  2. The Board shall appoint a Treasurer who shall be chief fiscal  officer. The Treasurer shall make recommendations to the Board on the acquisition and disbursement of funds where appropriate; have a commitment to the work of the library; foster a positive working relationship with the members of the Board; be aware of and abstain from any conflicts of interest; follow through on recommendations from the Board in a timely manner; and attend the monthly Board meetings and finance committee meetings. The Treasurer shall have no vote and is not a member of the Board. The Treasurer may be a paid position.

VII. COMMITTEES

  1. Standing committees of the Board shall include the following:
    1. Finance Committee: The finance committee shall consist of the Finance Officer, one additional Board member, the Treasurer, and the Director. It shall have charge of all assets, develop an annual budget and perform other duties as the Board may prescribe.
    2. Facilities Committee: The facilities committee shall consist of at least two Board members and may include the Director. It shall have general charge of the building and grounds and shall recommend desirable repairs and improvements.
    3. Operations committee: The operations committee shall consist of at least two Board members and may include the Director. It shall have charge of policy development, personnel-director’s evaluation; and the annual vote.
  2. Committees for specific purposes may be appointed by the President. Such committees shall serve until the completion of the work for which they were appointed.
  3. All committees shall make a progress report to the Board at each of its meetings.
  4. No committee will have other than advisory powers unless, by suitable action of the Board, it is granted specific power to act.
  5. The President shall be, ex officio, a member of all committees.
  6. All committee meetings shall be in compliance with the New York State Open Meetings Law.

VIII. MEETINGS

  1. Meetings shall be held each month, the date and hour to be set by the Board. Written notice of each meeting shall be emailed by the Director or designee to each member at least five days before the meeting.
  2. All meetings shall be in compliance with the New York State Open Meetings Law.
  3. A special meeting of the Board may be called at any time by the President or upon the request of three members for a specific purpose. No business may be transacted at such special meeting except the stated business.
  4. An advertised public meeting on the proposed annual budget together with candidates for Trustee shall be held one week prior to the library’s annual election.
  5. The Annual Meeting shall be held following the regularly scheduled June meeting. The business transacted at this meeting shall include the appointment of new officers.
  6. The financial report for the previous year shall be presented at the August meeting.
  7. A simple majority of the Board (including vacancies) shall constitute a quorum for the conducting of all business. A majority of the Board (including vacancies) is required for any motion to pass. If a quorum is not present at a regular meeting, the attending members may set a date for another meeting to be held within one week, and the presiding officer shall notify the absent members of this rescheduled meeting.
  8. The order of business for regular meetings shall include, but not be limited to,  a period for public expression, a Director’s report, a financial report and action on warrants, and committee reports.

IX. AMENDMENTS

Amendments to these Bylaws may be proposed at any regular meeting and shall be acted upon at the next regular meeting. Written notice of the proposed amendment or amendments shall be sent to all absent members at least ten days prior to the voting session. A two-thirds vote of the Board shall be sufficient for adoption of an amendment.

Revised May 9, 2013 by Board of Trustees

Amended and Approved by Board of Trustees on July 12, 2018

Amended and Approved by Board of Trustees on May 14, 2020

Amended and approved by the Board of Trustees on October 14, 2021

Amended and approved by the Board of Trustees on December 11, 2025