2025 Session Last amended: 1983 session

§ 134.11 — Organization of Board; Duties

Plain-Language Summary

After appointment, the library board must organize by electing a president and secretary. The board adopts its own bylaws and has exclusive control over spending from the library fund, constructing library buildings, and managing library grounds and rooms. All library money goes into the city or county treasury under the library fund and is paid out only with board approval. The board hires and can fire the library director and all staff, and sets their pay.

Practical Notes
The library board, not the city council or county board, controls all library money and staffing decisions. The governing body controls capital expenditures — the library board must get approval before buying land or building a library. Library funds cannot be commingled with other city or county funds. If a library board improperly allows spending without board approval, that is a statutory violation.