Article 1 Name

The name of this organization is the Youth Services Section Interest Group of the Maine Library Association. 

Article II Object 

The object of this organization shall be to promote and to improve library service to young people; to increase the number of people working with children and adolescents in libraries; to provide opportunities for professional development; to further the awareness of children's literature and nonprint media within the library community and the general public. Goals for meeting these objectives shall be set by the Executive Board of the Youth Services Section Interest Group in response to membership needs and current issues in library services. 

Article III Members 

Any member of the Maine Library Association interested in the objectives of the Youth Services Section Interest Group may become a member. The membership shall consist of these persons who notify the Maine Library Association of their intent to join the Interest Group. 

Article IV Officers 

Interest Group 1.

The officers of Youth Services Section Interest Group shall be a Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. The Treasurer and Secretary shall be elected for two years. The Vice-Chair shall be elected for six years, serving two years as Vice-Chair and two years as Chair of Youth Services Section Interest Group, and two years as Chair of the Lupine Committee. The vice-Chair shall be elected on odd-numbered years, the Treasurer and Secretary in even-numbered years. Upon completion of their terms, the Secretary and Treasurer shall become Lupine Committee members for the period of two years if they so choose. The Secretary or Treasurer may choose to run for the seat of Vice-Chair. Election of the officers shall take place at the annual meeting. 

Interest Group 2.
A. The chair shall be the executive officer of Youth Services Section Interest Group and as such shall convene and preside over meetings of the Executive Board and of the general membership; prepare an annual report for the membership and for the Maine Library Association; and represent Youth Services Section Interest Group at the MLA Council meetings when required. 

B. The Vice-Chair shall act in the absence of the Chair, and perform such duties as the Executive Board of Youth Services Section Interest Group deems necessary. 

C. The Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings of the Executive Board of Youth Services Section Interest Group and of the general membership; distribute minutes of all meetings to the Executive Board of Youth Services Section Interest Group at least two weeks before their next regularly scheduled meeting; assist the Chair in preparing an annual report for the membership; keep members of Youth Services Section Interest Group informed of activities of the Interest Group and of the names of the officers and members of the committees; publicize Youth Services Section Interest Group activities to the library community and to the general public and create and preserve correspondence as required. 

D. The Treasurer shall assist the Chair and Youth Services Section Interest Group Executive Board in preparing the annual budget; keep accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements for Youth Services Section Interest Group; prepare bi-monthly reports to be presented by the Chair at the bi-monthly MLA meetings or provided to the MLA president, and prepare an annual report for the membership. 

E. At the end of officers’ terms they shall turn over any and all documents that have been acquired during their term that would be deemed useful or necessary to the incoming officer or Chair no more than two weeks after the end of their term. 

Article V Committees 

Interest Group 1.
The Lupine Award Committee shall consist of the Past Chair and Chair of Youth Services Section Interest Group as well as two Youth Services Section Interest Group members from each district. The Lupine Committee shall be responsible for selecting the Lupine Award recipient(s) each year. The committee may choose a total of two Lupine Award recipients, one from each category of Picture book, and Juvenile/YA. In addition, the committee may choose to recognize up to one title in each category as Lupine Honor books annually. The Lupine Award Committee shall also be responsible for selecting the Katahdin Award recipient. The committee may choose one recipient annually. 

Interest Group 2.
Other committees, standing or special, may be appointed by the Chair of Youth Services Section Interest Group with the approval of the Executive Board.

Interest Group 3.
A majority of the members on a committee shall constitute a quorum. 

Article VI Executive Board

Interest Group 1.
The Executive Board shall consist of the four officers and the Committee Chairs. The Maine Library Association President, the State Librarian, and the Executive Secretary of the Maine Library Association shall be non-voting, ex-officio members of the Executive Board. 

Interest Group 2.
In the event of a vacancy occurring before the annual meeting, the Chair shall appoint a person from the Youth Services Section Interest Group membership to serve the unexpired term with the approval of a majority of the Executive Board. 

Interest Group 3.
The Executive Board shall have authority over the affairs of Youth Services Section Interest Group between meetings. It shall approve an annual budget, plan Youth Services Section Interest Group meetings, and make recommendations to the membership. 

Interest Group 4.
A majority of its voting members shall constitute a quorum of the Executive Board. 

Article VII Nominations and Elections 

Interest Group 1.
The Nominating Committee shall consist of three members. No member of the Executive Board shall serve on the Nominating Committee. 

Interest Group 2.
The names of members of the Nominating Committee shall be made available to the membership 90 days prior to the annual meeting and the Committee shall welcome suggestions for nominees from the individual members. 

Interest Group 3.
The Nominating Committee shall submit to the Executive Board no later than 60 days prior to the annual meeting a slate of Candidates willing to run for offices. If the Nominating Committee does not submit a slate of Candidates, the Chair of Youth Services Section Interest Group may notify the membership of available openings and accept individual nominations to submit at the annual meeting. 

Interest Group 4.
At the annual meeting, other candidates may be nominated from the floor, their consent to serve having been ascertained in advance. 

Interest Group 5.
Election shall be a majority vote at the annual meeting. 

Article VIII Meeting 

The annual meeting of Youth Services Section Interest Group shall be held during our spring meeting at a time and place determined by the Executive Board. Special meetings may be held at any time as needed. Ten members shall constitute a quorum at the annual meeting or at the special meeting. 

Article IX By-Laws 

These by-laws can be amended at any regular meeting of Youth Services Section Interest Group by a two-thirds vote, provided that the amendment has been submitted, in writing, to the Executive Board of Youth Services Section Interest Group not later than thirty days, and to the membership not later than 60 days before the meeting. 

Article X Programming 

Youth Services Section Interest Group shall be responsible for two programs a year, one of which must take place at the Maine Libraries Conference. Youth Services Section Interest Group is also responsible for being involved in Reading Round Up (RRU). RRU responsibilities are as follows: 

Interest Group 1.
The Chair of Youth Services Section Interest Group is to appoint an officer or member to represent Youth Services Section Interest Group on the RRU Committee. 

Interest Group 2.
Youth Services Section Interest Group is to split expenses 50/50 with RRU for one night of lodging and lunch for the Lupine Award winners and one guest. If the Lupine Winners wish to attend the programs for the day, Youth Services Section Interest Group will be responsible for reimbursing RRU for the attendance fees. 

Interest Group 3.
Youth Services Section Interest Group officers will be registered as soon as forms are sent out. The Chair of Youth Services Section Interest Group will be responsible for sending the officers’ information to RRU. Payment will be allowed at a later date if necessary, but no later than the close of registration.