Recently Asked Questions (RAQs)

We have a major building project coming up for our library. We are wondering if a committee of the board can be given the authority to make official decisions, which are then ratified by the full board at the following monthly board meeting. We expect the Building & Grounds Committee will begin to meet regularly with a newly appointed project manager to get updates and to approve decisions that can’t wait until a full meeting of the board. It would seem like there must be a means for expediting important business without trying to get a quorum of the board together to approve them every single time. 

We are a school district public library. We own our property. We recently obtained a construction grant and are eager to get our project moving! We have been told we don’t have to get a building permit from our town because we are a school district public library. Is that true? It would be great to not have to worry about a permit.

I am seeking clarification on the legal provisions regarding the oversight and management of construction projects by a municipal library. Our Law Department has previously indicated that the library board is not authorized to handle construction projects directly, asserting that it is the responsibility of the town. However, assuming full compliance with municipal laws, would it be permissible for the library to manage its construction projects if we hire a qualified project manager and maintain close coordination with the accounting department for payments?

Could you please advise on the legal framework that governs these responsibilities and whether there is any flexibility for the library board to take on such a role?

Thank you for your guidance on this matter.

Some of my member libraries have questions about the new Gender Neutral Bathroom Legislation:
 

1) Type of signage required to be placed on or near the bathroom door. That is, does the sign have to specify "gender neutral", or, is "bathroom" ok.  Also, can one use a sign that uses symbols (male, female, ADA) rather than sex?

2) Is a library required to have at least one designated male and one designated female bathroom in the building in addition to a gender neutral one? One of my libraries was with 3 bathrooms was told that was the case.

3) Is there a height requirement for braille signs so that individuals who use wheelchairs can reach it?

[This is the part of the legislation that is generating questions: "Such gender neutral bathroom facilities shall be clearly designated by the posting of such on or near the entry door of each facility."]

It will be good to have clarification/interpretation; it sounds like it has to be clearly stated as gender neutral, which likely can be done with signs with the symbols, but you never know.

Thank you in advance for providing clarification on this legislation.

We are a Special Legislative District Library. We are constructing a new library and will be selling our current building. I would like to know if there are any specific steps we are legally required to take in selling the property. For example is public notice of the sale required? Are we required to entertain a certain number of offers, etc.? Thank you for any information you can provide.