22-1-707. Duties and powers of board of trustees. (1) The board of trustees of a public library district shall:

(a) operate and maintain library property within the district and may conduct programs relating to libraries and make improvements to district property as the board considers appropriate;

(b) prepare annual budgets as required by the county governing body or bodies;

(c) pay necessary expenses of district staff members when on business of the district; and

(d) prepare and submit any records required by the Montana state library.

(2) The board has all powers necessary for the betterment, operation, and maintenance of library property within the territory of the public library district, including establishing library locations. In the exercise of this general grant of powers, the board may:

(a) (i) employ or contract with administrative, professional, or other personnel necessary for the operation of the district; or

(ii) contract with other entities to provide or receive library services and to pay out or receive funds for those library services;

(b) lease, purchase, or contract for the purchase of personal property, including property that after purchase constitutes a fixture on real property;

(c) (i) lease, purchase, or contract for the purchase of buildings and facilities on lands controlled by the district and may own and hold title to the buildings and facilities and equip, operate, and maintain the buildings and facilities; or

(ii) receive by transfer, conditionally or otherwise, from a county or city, the ownership or control of a library building, with all or any part of its property, provided that any existing debt of the governing body transferring the interest tied to the property must remain an obligation of the governing body and may not become an obligation of the district;

(d) adopt by resolution bylaws and rules for the operation and administration of the district;

(e) subject to 15-10-420, establish a property tax mill levy for the operation of the district as provided in 22-1-708;

(f) with the concurrence of the county governing body or bodies, accept donations of land or facilities within the district to be used for district purposes;

(g) accept donations and devises of money or personal property;

(h) establish a library depreciation reserve fund as authorized and described in 22-1-716; and

(i) exercise other powers, not inconsistent with the law, necessary for the operation and management of the district.

History: En. Sec. 7, Ch. 92, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 203, L. 2005.