Welcome to the Michigan Library Association

ARTICLE I: Name
The name of this division shall be the Public Library Division of the Michigan Library Association.

ARTICLE II: Goals and Objectives
The goals and objectives of this Division shall be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Michigan Library Association.

The specific objectives of this Division shall be:

•  to promote knowledge of, and action on, current legislation and issues which impact on public libraries;
•  to represent the interests of public libraries on the Michigan Library Association Executive Board;
•  to provide continuing education and other services in response to membership needs and current interests;
•  to incorporate public library, staff, and trustee issues and interests into continuing education and services;
•  to use effective mechanisms for encouraging participation by librarians, staff, and trustees from all sizes of libraries and geographic locations.

ARTICLE III: Membership
Any person who is a member of the Michigan Library Association and is supportive of the goals and objectives of this Division may become a member of the Division as provided by the Constitution and Bylaws of the Michigan Library Association. Each member shall have the right to vote.

ARTICLE IV: Officers
Section 1. The officers of the Division shall be a Chairperson, Chairperson-elect, and a Secretary/Historian.

Officers shall be elected by the membership of the Division in accordance with the provisions of Article V of the Bylaws of the Michigan Library Association.

Officers serve one-year terms. The term of office is consistent with the Michigan Library Association fiscal year, July 1 - June 30.

Section 2. The officers, the immediate past Chairperson, and four Members-at-Large constitute the Public Library Division Executive Board. The runner-up for the office of Chairperson-elect shall serve as one of the M embers-at-Large. Each member of the Public Library Division Executive Board shall have one vote at meetings of the Board.

Section 3. Members-at-Large are nominated and elected in accordance with the Provisions of Article V of the Bylaws of the Michigan Library Association. Members-at-Large serve two-year staggered terms. Members-at-Large perform duties as assigned in support of Division projects.

Section 4. All officers shall perform the duties usually attributed to their office, those specified in the MLA Manual, and such other duties as may be required to implement the programs of the Division.

The Chairperson shall have the following duties:

• Preside at all meetings of the Division;
• Supervise all activities of the Division;
• Act as treasurer of Division funds;
• Serve as ex-officio member of all committees, except the Nominating Committee;
• Represent the Division on the Michigan Library Association Executive Board;
• Appoint all Division committees;
• Appoint replacements, with the approval of the Division's Executive Board, for all vacancies on the Executive Board and committees.

The Chairperson-elect shall perform the duties of the Chairperson in the absence or incapacity of the Chairperson.

The Secretary/Historian shall handle the correspondence of the Division, keep records of the Division, and perform such other duties as may be required.

Section 5. The Chairperson may appoint persons, with the approval of the Division's Executive Board, to fill vacancies in the offices of Chairperson-elect, Secretary/Historian, or Members-at-Large. Such appointments will end at the completion of the term of office for that position.

Section 6. A vacancy in the office of Chairperson shall be filled by the Chairperson-elect and shall not prevent his/her succession to the Chairperson office for the following term.

If both positions become vacant, an election conducted according to the Bylaws of the Michigan Library Association, must be held. The Division membership votes to replace these positions.

Section 7. The Chairperson shall appoint a Nominating Committee, consisting of at least three members of the Division, to be responsible for submitting a slate of candidates for the positions of Chairperson-elect, Secretary/Historian, and Members-at-Large in accordance with the Bylaws of the Michigan Library Association.

Section 8. Members may not serve more than two consecutive elected terms in the same position.

ARTICLE V: Committees
Section 1. The Chairperson shall appoint the following standing committees:

• Nominating Committee

• Program Committee

Committee members' terms shall correspond with those of Division officers.

Section 2. As necessary, and subject to the approval of the Public Library Division Executive Board, special committees may be appointed by the Chairperson. Special committee members' terms shall correspond with those of the Division officers.

Section 3. Appointments to fill vacancies on committees shall be made by the Chairperson.

ARTICLE VI: Meetings
Section 1. A meeting of the Division shall be held annually. A quorum shall consist of the number of Division members attending the meeting of this Division for the transaction of business.

Division meetings shall be open to all members of the Michigan Library Association.

Section 2. Special meetings of this Division may be called by the Public Library Division Executive Board, or by the Division Chairperson at the written request of 25% of the members of this Division.
A quorum shall consist of the number of Division members attending the meeting. Three weeks notice shall be given. The purposes of the meeting shall be stated in the call and only business specified in the call shall be transacted.

ARTICLE VII: Policies
The policies of the Division are, and shall remain, completely consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Michigan Library Association.

ARTICLE VIII: Amendments
Section 1. These Bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the members present at an annual or special meeting of the Division (provided that the question was stated in the call of the meeting), or by any other means consistent with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Michigan Library Association.

Section 2. If any part of the Bylaws cannot be implemented, the Executive Board
of the Michigan Library Association shall determine the appropriate action to be taken.

ARTICLE IX: Dissolution of the Division
The Division may be dissolved as provided in the Bylaws of the Michigan Library Association.

Revised 5/2003