Unless the context requires a different meaning, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed to them:

(a)   City shall mean the City of Frontenac, Kansas.

(b)   Governing Body shall mean the Governing Body of the City.

(c)   Mayor shall mean the Mayor of the City of Frontenac.

(d)   City Administrator shall mean the chief administrative officer of the City of Frontenac, or their designee.

(e)   Library or Frontenac Public Library shall mean the public library in the City which serves the general public and is supported in whole or in part by donations, fees, or with tax money.

(f)   Library Board or Frontenac Public Library Board shall mean a board appointed by the Governing Body of the City.

(g)   Library Director shall mean the person employed to oversee the City's library operations, subject to coordination with both the Library Board and the City Administrator.

(Ord. 2025-11)

There is hereby established a public library in and for the City of Frontenac, Kansas, to be known as the Frontenac Public Library.

(Ord. 2025-11)

(a)   There shall be a Library Board consisting of seven (7) members, appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the governing body. In addition, the Mayor of the City of Frontenac shall serve as an ex-officio member, with the same rights, privileges, powers, and duties as the appointed members, but shall not count toward appointment term limits.

(b)   Appointed members shall reside within the city of Frontenac. Initial terms shall be staggered as follows: one member shall serve until April 30 of the year following appointment; two members shall serve until April 30 two years after appointment; two shall serve until April 30 three years after appointment; and two shall serve until April 30 four years after appointment. Thereafter, all appointed members shall serve four-year terms expiring April 30 of the final year. Appointed members may not serve more than two consecutive terms. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term.

(c)   The Governing Body may remove any appointed member of the Board at any time for good and sufficient cause, including, but not limited to, violation of applicable laws or policies, neglect of duty, or failure to meet attendance expectations.

(d)   Board vacancies shall be filled as soon as practical but no later than 60 days following the vacancy.

(e)   Members of a library board shall organize annually at its first meeting following April 30 by electing a chairperson, secretary, treasurer, and such other officers as they may deem necessary.

(f)   The Library Board shall comply with the Kansas Open Meetings Act (K.S.A. 75-4317 et seq.) and with applicable conflict of interest statutes (K.S.A. 75-4301 et seq.). The Board shall adopt bylaws governing its internal operations consistent with this ordinance and applicable law.

(Ord. 2025-11)

The Library Board shall have the following powers and duties, consistent with K.S.A. 12-1225:

(a)   To make and adopt rules and regulations for the administration of the library.

(b)   With the approval of the Governing Body, to purchase or lease a site or sites and to lease or erect a building or buildings for the use of the library.

(c)   To acquire by purchase, gift, or exchange, books, magazines, papers, printed materials, slides, pictures, films, projection equipment, phonograph records, and other material and equipment deemed necessary by the Board for the maintenance and extension of modern library service.

(d)   To employ librarians, library assistants, clerks, and other support staff necessary for the operation of the library and to fix their compensation, subject to applicable city personnel policies.

(e)   To establish and maintain a library or libraries and traveling library services within the city.

(f)   To receive, accept, and administer any money appropriated or granted to it by the state or the federal government or any agency thereof for the purpose of aiding or providing library service.

(g)   To receive and accept any gift or donation to the library and administer the same in accordance with any provisions thereof. If no provisions are specified, the Board shall have the power to hold, invest, or reinvest the gift and any dividends, interest, rent, or income derived from the gift in the manner the Board deems will best serve the interests of the library.

(h)   To make annual reports to the State Librarian and the Governing Body of the City on or before January 31 of each year for the preceding calendar year, showing receipts and disbursements from all funds under its control, and showing such statistical information relating to library materials acquired and on hand, number of library users, library services available, and other information of general interest as the Governing Body requires.

(i)    As to money received from sources other than a tax levy for library purposes, in its discretion, to place such money in a separate fund or funds, or to place the money in the fund to which the tax levy money is credited unless the grantor or donor directs how and for what purpose the money shall be handled and spent.

(Ord. 2025-11)

The City shall annually levy a tax on all taxable tangible property within the city to finance the operation of the Frontenac Public Library. The Library Board shall work in cooperation with the City Administrator to prepare an annual budget request for review and inclusion in the city’s budgeting process.

(Ord. 2025-11)

All moneys received for library purposes, including tax revenues, gifts, and grants, shall be deposited in a dedicated library fund maintained by the City. Disbursements shall be made in accordance with standard municipal accounting procedures and under the authority of the Library Board as outlined in Section 17-104.

(Ord. 2025-11)

The Frontenac Public Library shall be free to the use of all residents of the State of Kansas, subject to such reasonable rules and regulations as the Library Board may adopt. The Board may extend access and privileges to non-residents on terms it deems appropriate.

(Ord. 2025-11)

The Governing Body may erect and equip library buildings and procure sites therefor,  and may issue bonds in accordance with K.S.A. 12-1737 and K.S.A. 12-1774, and amendments thereto, to finance capital improvements for library purposes.

(Ord. 2025-11)

(a)   The Library Director shall be appointed by the Governing Body of the City of Frontenac following a formal recommendation by the Library Board. The Director shall be subject to the City's personnel policies, including compensation, benefits, evaluations, and disciplinary procedures.

(b)   The Library Board shall define the qualifications, duties, and performance expectations for the Library Director and shall submit a formal recommendation to the City on hiring, evaluation, and continued employment. The Director shall implement policies adopted by the Library Board and coordinate library operations in cooperation with both the Library Board and the City Administrator.

(Ord. 2025-11)

The City of Frontenac agrees to operate the public library in a manner consistent with the intent of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, as exempted and modified by Charter Ordinance No. 6, and as administratively interpreted by the Kansas State Library. The library shall remain eligible for participation in regional and statewide cooperative programs and for state aid.

(Ord. 2025-11)