Board Authority: Vacancies or Resignations

Vacancies or Resignations

The library’s boards bylaws should describe the procedure for filling a trustee position if a member resigns from the board.

For a city or county library, a resignation should be directed to the board chair, library director, and local government body. Vacancies for these libraries will follow the procedures for an appointed board. 22-1-308, MCA says

(4) Trustees shall hold their office for 5 years from the date of appointment and until their successors are appointed. Initially, appointments must be made for 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 5-year terms. Annually thereafter, there must be appointed before July 1 of each year, in the same manner as the original appointments for a 5-year term, a trustee to take the place of the retiring trustee. Trustees may not serve more than two full terms in succession.

(5) Following the appointments, in July of each year, the trustees shall meet and elect a presiding officer and other officers that they consider necessary, for 1-year terms. Vacancies in the board of trustees must be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as original appointments.

For a district library, the trustees are elected. 22-1-706, MCA says

(6) A vacancy in the office of a member must be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the board. The term of the appointed member expires upon the election of a successor or upon the election of a member to fill the unexpired term of the vacant office. The election must be held in accordance with Title 13, chapter 1, part 5.