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Ephraim Library Board Delays Vote on Teen Library Council Bylaws, Requests Revisions
Summary
Board reviewed draft bylaws for a Teen Library Council — including age eligibility, adult member rules, council size and quorum — and agreed to revise language (change adult member wording, adjust membership size and quorum) and vote at the next meeting after members receive an updated draft.
The Ephraim Public Library Board reviewed draft bylaws for a proposed Teen Library Council at its June 3 meeting and agreed to postpone a vote until members receive a revised draft addressing several requested changes.
Staff presented a draft that would create a monthly Teen Library Council composed of teens (recommended ages 13–18), one library staff member and one adult community member. Board members asked that the draft be edited to replace a requirement that an adult be a library board member with language allowing any adult community member to serve, and to change council size from seven to a flexible 5–7 members with quorum adjusted from four to three or four depending on the council size.
Members discussed age eligibility (the staff recommended 13 because many social-media services require that minimum age), background checks for adult volunteers, residency or library-card requirements for council members, and whether the council should serve as a feeder for future board members. Staff said the council would focus on teen-led programming so that teens help design activities that meet peers’ interests.
The board instructed staff to make the changes, circulate the revised bylaws to board members ahead of the next meeting, and place the item on the next agenda so a formal vote can be taken. No formal vote on the bylaws was held June 3.
Board members suggested outreach strategies for recruitment, including posting in other local libraries and working with schools and homeschool networks. Staff said the council could begin advertising by the end of the summer with applications accepted online and in person, and that the board could finalize the council structure and start selections in early fall.
