Membership Information

• The board shall consist of seven members but not more than 11 members appointed by the county executive and confirmed by the county council.

Created By

• Article XXI, Section 9-124 of the Harford County Code

In A Brief

• To oversee the public library system in the county

Description

The Harford County Public Library of Trustees was created as an agency of Harford County, pursuant to the Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland Section 23-301(b).

There is also an ex-officio, nonvoting member of the county council, chosen annually by the council, and an ex-officio nonvoting student representative, chosen annually by the board in the student's junior year to serve during the senior year, said term to begin in July of each year.

The board will recommend to the executive at least three persons for each board vacancy. The executive may, but need not, appoint a person recommended by the board. Each member, except the student representative, will serve a five-year term but not more than two consecutive terms.

Membership qualifications

The qualifications of the members of the board are:

• Resident of Harford County
• Appointed on the basis of character, ability and demonstrated interest in library matters.
• Representative of the areas the library system serves.

By July 1 of each year, the board will nominate one of its members as chairperson, subject to appointment by the executive and confirmed by the county council.

The board shall meet at regularly scheduled times at least once each month, except August and December.

Powers & Duties

Powers and duties of the board include:

• Establish and operate the library to provide free service to residents of Harford County.
• Determine the policies of the library.
• Assist the director of the library in preparing the library budget, review, and approve the budget.