Article I. |
Name (Amended October 1999) The name of this organization shall be the Wisconsin Association of Public
Libraries
(WAPL), a division of the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA).
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| Article II. |
Purpose and Responsibilities
(Amended October 1988, 2003) Section 1. Purpose
The purpose of this association shall be to provide opportunities for
members of the
WLA who are interested in and involved in public library services to meet
for
discussion of issues relating to public library service and to take action
to improve
public library service.
Section 2. Responsibilities
A. Within the framework of the WLA to study, improve and implement public
library service in Wisconsin.
B. To cooperate with other WLA units and other library and media-oriented
agencies and groups.
C. To update and encourage use of public library standards.
D. To develop and recommend means for all persons in the state to have full
access to knowledge and information through libraries.
E. To encourage the professional growth of library staff, cooperate in
establishing
opportunities for continuing education, and stimulate participation in
professional organizations by public library staff.
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| Article III. |
Membership and Dues Section 1.
Members of the WLA who designate this division when paying their
dues shall be
members of the division in accordance with the bylaws of the WLA.
Section 2.
Additional dues may be levied or an assessment may be made for
special projects as
provided by Article VII, Section 4D of the WLA constitution and bylaws.
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| Article IV. |
Officers and Board (Amended October 1988; 1995, 2003) Section 1.
The Officers of the division shall be a Chair, a Vice-Chair, who
shall be Chair-elect,
and a WLA Liaison.
Section 2.
The Executive Committee shall consist of the officers, the
immediate past-chair of the
division who shall act as Secretary, three directors and the chairs of the
standing
committees.
Section 3.
The term of office for the Chair, Vice-Chair and past Chair shall
be one calendar year,
the membership year of the Association. The term of WLA Liaison shall be
three
years, with the exception of the 2004-2005 term which shall be two years.
The term
of office for the three Directors shall be three calendar years, with one
Director elected
each year. The term of office for standing committee chairs shall be one
calendar year.
Vacancies occurring in Officers' positions shall be filled through an
appointment by
the remaining officers. Vacancies occurring in Standing Committee Chairs
shall be
filled by the standing committee. One Director shall be from a small public
library as
defined by the Wisconsin Small Libraries Round Table.
Section 4.
The Board shall meet at least once per year in addition to the
annual membership
meeting.
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| Article V. |
Forums Section 1.
The purpose of a forum is to promote the development of public
librarianship in a
particular aspect of the field. Upon petition of fifteen members, the
Wisconsin
Association of Public Libraries may establish a forum for such a group. The
forum
shall be subject to the provisions of the bylaws of the Division.
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| Article VI. |
Meetings (Amended October 1987; 1995) Section 1.
An annual business meeting shall be held during the WLA annual
conference. Its
purpose shall be to discuss and, if necessary, act upon issues relevant to
the Division' s
mission and membership objectives.
Section 2.
A registration fee may be set and collected at meetings other
than at the annual meeting
to cover the costs of speakers' fees, rentals, major printing costs, etc.
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| Article VII. |
Committees (Amended October 1988) Section 1.
There shall be three standing committees: A) Fall Conference B)
Personnel and
Professional Concerns and C) Spring Conference.
Section 2. Additional committees may be authorized by the membership.
Section 3. Appointment of all committee members shall be made from the
membership of the
Division by the Chair. Standing Committee Chairs shall be elected from the
specific
membership of the committee by the committee members.
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| Article VIII. |
Nominations and Elections (Amended October 1987; October 1988) Section 1.
The Chair shall annually appoint a Nominations Committee to
prepare a slate
consisting of two nominees who shall be Division members for each position
to be
filled in that year' s election. Consent of the persons nominated must be
obtained before
their names appear on the slate.
Section 2.
Additional nominations may be made to any elective office by
filing with the Chair, not
less than six weeks prior to the annual business meeting, a petition of
nominations
signed by at least 15 personal members of the Division and accompanied by
the written
consent of the nominee.
Section 3.
A ballot shall be mailed to each personal member of the Division
in conjunction with
the WLA mail ballot and the WLA elections calendar. The candidate for each
office
receiving the largest number of votes shall be elected. The vote totals will
be
published with the results of the WLA elections. In case of a tie vote, the
determination shall be by lot.
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| Article IX. |
Parliamentary Authority (Amended October 1987) The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, latest
revised edition,
shall govern the division.
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| Article X. |
Amendments Section 1.
Bylaws may be amended at any business meeting of the division by
a two-thirds
majority vote of those present. |
