(A) (1) Pursuant to the provisions of Act 564 of 1978 and S.C. Code § 4-9-35, the Newberry County Library System was established. The County Public Library System shall be controlled and managed by a Board of Trustees consisting of 7 members, all of whom shall be residents of Newberry County. Members shall be nominated and appointed by the Newberry County Council, and shall serve without compensation for the terms of 4 years and until successors are appointed and qualified. Of those members initially appointed, 3 of the appointees shall be appointed for terms of 2 years only. Previous service on the Newberry-Saluda Regional Library Board prior to the enactment of this section establishing the Board shall not limit service on the Board. Previous service for a full term shall be counted in determining a member's service on the Board for purposes of the limitations established by this division (A), but partial terms of service on the Board shall not be considered a consecutive term for purposes of the limitations contained in this division (A). No member may serve more than 2 consecutive terms on the Board. One member shall be appointed for each of the 7 Council Election Districts in Newberry County. Vacancies shall be filled in the manner of the original appointment for the unexpired term.
(2) The Board shall annually elect a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and any other officers as it deems necessary. The Board shall meet not less than 1 time each quarter and at other times as called by the Chairperson or upon the written request by a majority of the members.
(3) Except for illness or emergency, any member who fails to attend 3 consecutive regular meetings may be disqualified as a member, and the Secretary shall notify in writing the member and the Newberry County Council when a member has accumulated 3 consecutive unexcused absences.
(B) The Board as provided for in division (A) above shall be authorized to exercise powers in order to further the policies of the County Library System which shall not be inconsistent with the general policies established by the County Council, and pursuant to that authority shall be empowered to:
(1) Employ a Chief Librarian whose qualifications and credentials shall meet the certification requirements of the State Library Board and shall be responsible to the County Library Board for the administration of the program and the selection of library staff members required to carry out the functions of the library system;
(2) Purchase, lease, hold, and dispose of real and personal property in the name of the county for the exclusive use of the County Public Library System; provided, however, that any such conveyance, lease, or purchase of real property shall be by the County Council;
(3) Acquire books and other library materials and provide for use thereof throughout the county;
(4) Accept donations of real property, services, books, and other items suitable for use in the library system;
(5) Designate or mark equipment, rooms and buildings, and other library facilities to commemorate and identify gifts and donations made to the library system;
(6) Cooperate or enter into contracts or agreements with any public or private agency which results in improved services or the receipt of financial aid in carrying out the functions of the library system; provided, however, that the contracts and agreements shall be subject to approval by the County Council;
(7) Enter into contracts or agreements with other counties to operate regional or joint libraries and related facilities; provided, however, that the contracts and agreements shall be subject to approval by County Council;
(8) Receive and expend grants, appropriations, gifts, and donations from any private or public source for the operation, expansion, or improvement of the library system; and
(9) Take any actions deemed necessary and proper by the Board to establish, equip, operate, and maintain an effective library system within the limits of approved appropriations of County Council.
(C) In addition to the powers and duties prescribed in division (B) above, the Board shall:
(1) Provide and make available to the residents of the county, books and library materials and, in the fulfillment of this function, establish a headquarters library and may establish branches and subdivisions thereof in appropriate geographical areas of the county within the limits of available funds and may operate 1 or more bookmobiles over routes determined by the Board;
(2) Adopt regulations necessary to ensure effective operation, maintenance, and security of the property of the library system; provided, however, that the regulations shall not be in conflict with policy or regulations established by the County Council;
(3) Annually, at a time designated by the County Council, submit to the Council a budget for the ensuing fiscal year adequate to fund the operation and programs of the library system. The budget shall list all funds which the Board anticipates will be available for the operations of the library system. All funds appropriated, earned, granted, or donated to the library system or any of its parts shall be used exclusively for library purposes. All financial procedures relating to the library system, including audits, shall conform to the procedures established by the County Council; and
(4) Annually file a detailed report of its operations and expenditures for the previous fiscal year with the County Council.
(D) All state laws and regulations relating to the County Public Library System shall apply to the library system created pursuant to division (A) above. All employees of a County Public Library shall be subject to the provisions of S.C. Code § 4-9-30(7).
(E) The County Public Library System shall be funded by annual appropriations by the County Council, including millage, if any, levied specifically for the County Public Library System, plus aid provided by the state and federal government and other sources. If the County Council levies a tax specifically for the support of the County Public Library System, the tax shall apply to all persons and corporations subject to school taxes.
(F) All assets and property, both real and personal, owned by any county library prior to the creation of a library system under this section shall be transferred to the county by the person or entities owning title thereto; provided, however, that all the assets and property shall be used exclusively for library purposes.
(Ord. 202, passed 6-24-1998)