About The Library Trustees Association   
bylaws  |  Trustee Handbook  |  MLTA Newsletter 

The Maine Library Trustees Association, a section of the Maine Library Association, was recognized on June 1, 1980 in Portland, Maine. 

The objective of this association is to promote and foster the development of libraries and library service and to provide for the exchange of ideas and experience among library board members. 

The officers are President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, each elected for a term of two years. Elections are held at an annual meeting of the Association. 

The Executive Committee consists of seven members, four of whom are the officers of the Association and three of whom are Members-at-large who are also elected or a term of two years. The Executive Secretary of MLA and the President of the Maine Library Association and the State Librarian are non-voting, ex-officio members of the Executive Committee. 

The annual meeting of the Association is held at the time and place of the annual meeting of the Maine Library Association. 

Membership in the Association is open to any person who is a member of the Maine Library Association and an application designates affiliation with MLTA. Two dollars of dues money for each MLTA member is collected by the Treasurer o MLA. The President of MLTA is advised of the total number of MLTA members by the Chairman of the Membership Committee of MLA and requests that the appropriate amount of dues money be submitted to the Treasurer of MLTA yearly in October. 

The President of MLTA is a voting member of the Executive Council of the Maine Library Association and is expected to attend all Council meetings and to report on MLTA activities. The President is also a member of the MLA Conference Planning Committee and attends and participates in Committee meetings. 

The Maine Library Trustees Association is responsible for the yearly presentation of one or more programs or workshops dealing with trusteeship, to be held at the Annual Spring Conference. All arrangements for speakers or presentations are the responsibility of the Trustee Association although costs incurred are paid for by the Conference Planning Committee with prior approval. 

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Trustees Interest Group By-Laws

Article 1 Name 

The name of this body shall be known as the "Maine Library Trustees Association" being a section of the Maine Library Association. 

Article II Aims and Objectives

The principle objectives for which this section is formed are to promote and foster the development of libraries and library service,to provide for the exchange of ideas and experience among library board members through conferences and library publications, and by such other means as may from time to time be determined. 

Article III Membership

Any person who is a member of the Maine Library Association, and who has been or is a library Trustee or member of the Board of Directors of a library or library agency, may become a member of this section. On nomination of the Executive Committee, any person who has rendered important service to library interests in the State,but who is not at the time actively engaged in library work within the State, may be elected an honorary member of the Association by unanimous vote at any annual meeting. 

Article IV Officers

The officers of this Association shall be a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary and a Treasurer, each elected for a term of two years. Election of officers shall take place at the annual meeting and they shall continue in office until their successors have been chosen and qualified in their stead. Officers shall serve without compensation. 

Article V Duties and Officers

The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association, shall have the general supervision of the activities, and shall be ex-officio a member of all committees of the Association. The Vice-President shall, in the absence or incapacity of the President, perform the duties of the President. The Secretary shall conduct the correspondence of the Association, keep and maintain the records, and with the assistance of the Maine Library Association, shall maintain the membership roll. The Treasurer shall be responsible for all funds of the Association, shall submit a report at the annual meeting of the financial affairs, and shall be responsible for the investment and maintenance of all monies received. The Treasurer, further shall be empowered to sign checks and make drafts. 

Article VI Committee

The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee of three members. Said Nominating Committee shall have secured the consent of the nominees in advanced and shall report its nominations, if any are necessary, at the annual meeting. Other candidates may be nominated from the floor, their consent to serve having been ascertained. 

The Executive Committee shall consist of seven members, four of whom shall be the officers of the Association, and three of whom shall be Members-at-Large, each elected for a two year term, so far as is practicable so that all sections of the State will be represented. The Executive Secretary of MLA, the State Librarian and the President of the Maine Library Association shall be non-voting, em-officio members of the Executive Committee. 

In the event of a vacancy on the Executive Committee, exclusive of non-voting members, but including the officers (other than the President whose duties are automatically given to the Vice-President) the President shall appoint a person from the Association membership to complete the unexpired term with the approval of a majority of the Executive Committee. 
Four voting members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum. 

Article VII Meetings

The Annual meeting of the Association shall be held at the time and at the place of the annual meeting of the Maine Library Association. Special meetings of the Association may be held at any time that the members may in meeting determine or the Executive Committee may call. The latest edition of ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER shall determine all parliamentary procedures. 

The Executive Committee shall have the power to administer the affair of the Association, except those dealt with by the direct vote of the Association members in meeting or by mail. 

Article VIII Quorum 

Seven members shall constitute a quorum at the annual meeting or at a special meeting. A lesser number may make reasonable adjournments until a quorum is obtained. 

Article IX Votes 

Each member of the Association shall be entitled to one vote per office for a candidate standing in proper nomination; and, also, to one vote on any duly seconded motion or resolution. 

Article X Amendments 

These by-laws may be amended, altered or replaced by a favorable vote of two-thirds of the members present at any meeting of the Association provided a quorum is present.