CHARTER & BYLAWS

ORIGINAL CHARTER OF THE SING SING PUBLIC LIBRARY

Whereas, a petition for incorporation as an institution of the University has been duly received, and Whereas, official inspection shows that suitable provision has been made for buildings, furniture, equipment and for proper maintenance, and that all other prescribed requirements have been fully met,

Therefore, being satisfied that public interests will be promoted by such incorporation, the Regents by virtue of the authority conferred on them by the law hereby incorporate

Thomas E. Hapgood, Smith Lent, Joshua G. Many

and their successors in office under the corporate name of Sing Sing Public Library with all powers, privileges and duties, and subject to all limitations and restrictions prescribed for such corporations by law or by the ordinances of the University of the State of New York. The first trustees of said corporation shall be the above named incorporators. The number of trustees shall be three and their successors shall be elected one each year to serve for three years. This corporation shall be located at Sing Sing, Westchester County, New York. In witness whereof the Regents grant this charter no. 698 under seal of the University, at the capitol in Albany, February 9, 1893.

Signed:
George William Curtis Chancellor,
Melvil Dewey, Secretary



AMENDMENT TO THE CHARTER OF THE SING SING PUBLIC LIBRARY

Having received a petition made in conformity to law and being satisfied that public interests will be promoted by such action the Regents by virtue of the authority conferred on them hereby amend the charter of the Sing Sing public library by changing the name to Ossining Public Library.

In witness whereof the Regents grant this amendment to charter no. 1454 under seal of the University at the capitol in Albany, July 1, 1901.

Recorded and took effect 3:15 p.m. July 1, 1901

Signed:
Anson Judd Upson, Chancellor,
Chas. Wheelock, Secretary



FINAL CHARTER OF THE OSSINING PUBLIC LIBRARY

Whereas a petition for reincorporation as an institution of the University has been duly received, and

Whereas official inspection shows that suitable provision has been made for buildings, furniture, equipment and for proper maintenance, and that all other prescribed requirements have been fully met,

Therefore, being satisfied that public interests will be promoted by such incorporation, the Regents by virtue of the authority conferred on them by law hereby incorporate

Samuel Watson, Milton C. Palmer, Romine Williams
Anna M. Underhill, Annie A. Brandreth

and their successors in office under the corporate name of Ossining Public Library with all powers and duties, and subject to all limitations and restrictions prescribed for such corporations by law or by the ordinances of the University of the State of New York. The first trustees of said corporation shall be the incorporators above named. The number of trustees shall be five and their successors shall be elected by the Ossining Board of Education, one each year to serve five years.

This corporation shall be located at Ossining, Westchester County, New York, and this new charter shall take the place in all respects of the charter under which the institution has been operating.

In witness whereof the Regents grant this charter no. 1631 under seal of the University at the capitol in Albany, December 3, 1903

Recorded and took effect 3:20 p.m. , December 3, 1903

Signed:
M. Croswell Doane, Chancellor
James Russell Parsons, Jr., Secretary



BYLAWS OF THE OSSINING PUBLIC LIBRARY

I. Name and Location

1. The corporate name of this Library shall be the Ossining Public Library. It shall be located in the Town of Ossining, Westchester County, New York.

II. Trustees

1. The authority to determine and control the policies of the Library shall be vested in the Board of Trustees which shall be composed of seven (7) persons. 2. Members of the Board of Trustees shall be appointed by the Board of Education, Ossining Union Free School District, for a term of three (3) years or such lesser period as may be required by reason of vacancy.

III. Officers

1. The Trustees shall elect, to hold office for one year, a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. 2. A nominating committee, consisting of three members, shall be appointed by the President at the May meeting to report at the June meeting, at which time elections shall be held. 3. Vacancies among the officers shall be filled at an election at a regular meeting, and a majority vote of the Trustees shall be necessary to an election. 4. The President shall preside at meetings of the Board of Trustees, including special meetings, and shall serve as liaison between the Board and the administration of the Library. 5. The Vice President shall serve in the absence of the President. 6. The Secretary shall keep a record of all proceedings. 7. The Treasurer shall function as the chief financial officer.

IV. Meetings

1. Regular meetings of the Board of Trustees shall be held monthly at the Library at 7:00 p.m., or such other time established by the President, on the fourth Monday of the month. 2. Four members shall constitute a quorum. 3. Special meetings shall be held at the call of the President or any four Trustees.

V. Committees.

1. The President shall appoint such committees as needed to serve for such purposes as in his or her or the Board's judgment is required.

VI. Library Director.

1. The Board of Trustees shall appoint a Library Director, who shall be responsible for the execution of the policies adopted by the Board.

VII. Amendments.

1. Amendments to the bylaws may be presented at any regular meeting, or at any special meeting regularly called, provided that notice of such amendments be mailed to each member of the Board at his/her last known address, at least five and not more than ten days prior to said meeting. 2. Amendments become effective only after a favorable vote of at least five Trustees at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

Approved February 25, 1963
Revised January 24, 1972
Revised January 22, 1979
Revised June 22, 1981
Revised February 26, 1990
Revised March 18, 1996
Revised September 24, 2007