Fargo Public Library Board of Directors Bylaws

Article I.

Section 1. The name of this organization is the Board of Directors of the Fargo Public Library, Fargo, North Dakota.

Section 2. The Board shall have those duties and responsibilities authorized by the North Dakota Century Code (40-38-04). As enumerated below.

• To make and adopt such bylaws, rules, and regulations relating to the duties of the officers of the board as may be expedient and not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter.
• To make and adopt such bylaws, rules, and regulations for the management of the library and reading room as are expedient and not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter.
• To control, exclusively, the expenditures of all moneys collected for or contributed to the library fund.
• To have the supervision, care, and custody of the library property, and of the rooms or buildings constructed, leased, or set apart for use of library purposes.
• To contract to furnish library services and to receive library service from other counties, school districts, and cities of the state of North Dakota and adjoining states, and the state library.
• To employ qualified personnel to administer the public library and dispense library services.

Article II.

Section 1. The purpose of the Board of Directors is to provide governance to the Fargo Public Library so that this institution may fulfill its mission and achieve its vision.

Section 2. The vision of the Fargo Public Library is that it will be a model of excellence in library services and the primary place in the community for people of all ages to fulfill their informational, recreational and lifelong learning needs.

Section 3. The mission of the Fargo Public Library is to “provide effective and efficient library services to meet our customers’ personal, professional, and lifelong learning needs.”

Article III.

Section 1. The Board of Directors is comprised of seven people appointed by the Mayor of the City of Fargo. Appointments are subject to confirmation by the Fargo City Commission.

The term of office is three years. A Director may be appointed for two consecutive terms and is not eligible for reappointment until one year after the expiration of his/her second term.

Directors must be residents of the City of Fargo.

The Fargo City Commission may remove any director for misconduct or neglect of duty. The Board also has the collective power to censure one of its members for misconduct and in extreme cases, to recommend their removal from the board to the City Commission.

Section 2. In case of a vacancy on the Board, said vacancy will be filled by mayoral appointment for the balance of the term. Directors who fill such terms will be eligible for subsequent appointment for up to a maximum of two 3-year terms.

Section 3. Directors serve without compensation except for reimbursement of expenses incurred while conducting library business.

Article IV.

Section 1. The regular meeting of the Board of Directors will be at 4:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at the main library or in the City Commission Chambers or such other place as the Board may determine, providing at least five days advance notice is given. The Board will abide by all requirements of North Dakota law regarding open meetings.

Section 2. The annual meeting of the Board will be held immediately following the regular July meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to elect officers.

Section 3. A quorum of the Board is four members.

Section 4. Robert’s Rules of Order, latest revision, will govern proceedings of the board and its committees to the extent practicable.

Section 5. Special meetings may be held at any time when called by the president or at the request of four directors. All directors must be notified at least five days in advance of a special meeting.

Article V.

Section 1. Officers of the Board of Directors will consist of a President and Vice President.

Section 2. The President presides at all meetings of the Board, authorizes calls for special meetings, appoints all committees, serves as an ex-officio voting member of all committees, and generally performs all duties associated with that office. The President will serve as the formally designated representative of the governing body of the city on the Library Board.

Section 3. The Vice President has such powers and duties, as the Board shall designate. In the absence or inability of the President to perform the duties of that office, the Vice-President will assume and perform the duties and functions of the President.

Section 4. The library director will function as treasurer of the Board with ongoing coordination with the fiscal agent for the city. The library director will issue and sign all purchase orders, maintain records of all library monies received and expended, and perform such other duties as are associated with that office.

Section 5. The President may designate a member of the library staff to function as secretary to the Board. The secretary will create and maintain a permanent public record of the proceedings of all regular and special meetings.

Section 6. In the absence of the President and the Vice President, the most senior board member will preside over the monthly Library Board meeting, if needed, with a quorum of members present.

Article VI.

Section 1. The president will appoint committees for specific purposes, as the business of the Board requires. All committees will make progress reports at each regular meeting. No committee will have other than advisory powers unless granted powers by a majority vote of the Board. Committees will only serve until the completion of the assignment, unless specifically designated by the Board as a standing committee.

Article VII.

Section 1. The Board will employ and supervise a qualified library director. The director will administer policies adopted by the board; recommend policies to the Board; employ, direct, and supervise the library staff within established City of Fargo Personnel and Administrative policies; prepare and present required reports; and otherwise promote effective library services.

Article VIII.

Section 1. These bylaws may be adopted or amended by a majority vote of the members of the Board present at a regular meeting subsequent to notification of the proposed change.

Revised by the Library Board 8.15.2017
Revised by the Library Board 7.17.2018
Revised by the Library Board 7.18.2023