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Greenville County Library System

Purpose(s)/Service(s): provides for library services
Enabling Legislation: Act of General Assembly; Greenville County Ordinance No. 724, effective 6/19/1979.
Pursuant to South Carolina Code: Act No. 247

Ordinance No. 724 established the Greenville County Library System, which shall be operated in accordance with the requirements of Act No. 564 of the 1978 Acts and Joint Resolutions of the South Carolina General Assembly. A board of trustees consisting of eleven (11) resident electors of Greenville County controls and manages the Library System. Greenville County Council appoints the members of the board who serve for terms of four (4) years or until their successors are appointed and qualify. Members shall be appointed from all geographical areas of the County. Vacancies shall be filled in the manner of the original appointment for the unexpired portion of the term, and any member may be removed for cause by the appointing power.

Meetings of the Board are open to the public, except when the Board is in executive session. Regular meetings of the Board are usually held on the 4th Monday of each month at 12:00 noon at Hughes Library.

Power and Duties
The Board has the following powers:

  • Employ a chief librarian whose qualifications and credentials shall meet the certification requirements of the State Library Board, and who shall be responsible to the county library board for the administration of the program and the selection of library staff members required to carry out the functions of the library system.
  • Purchase, lease, hold and dispose of real and personal property in the name of the County for the exclusive use of the county library system. Provided, however, any such conveyance, lease or purchase of real property shall be by the Greenville County Council in accordance with the provisions of Act No. 283 of 1975 as amended.
  • Acquire books and other library materials and provide for use thereof throughout the County.
  • Accept donations of real property, services, books and other items suitable for use in the library system.
  • Designate or mark equipment, rooms and buildings, and other library facilities to commemorate and identify gifts and donations made to the library system.
  • Cooperate or enter into contracts or agreements with any public or private agency, which result in improved services or the receipt of financial aid in carrying out the functions of the library system. Provided, however, such contracts and agreements shall be subject to approval by the Greenville County Council.
  • Enter into contracts or agreements with other counties to operate regional or joint libraries and related facilities. Provided, however, such contracts and agreements shall be subject to approval by the Greenville County Council.
  • Receive and expend grants, appropriations, gifts and donations from any private or public source for the operation, expansion or improvement of the library system.
  • Take any actions deemed necessary and proper by the board to establish, equip, operate and maintain an effective library system within limits of approved appropriations of the Greenville County Council.

In addition to the powers and duties prescribed in Section 3 the board shall:

  • Provide and make available to the residents of the county books and library materials and in the fulfillment of this function shall establish a headquarters library and may establish branches and subdivisions thereof in appropriate geographical areas of the county within the limits of available funds. The board may operate one or more bookmobiles over routes determined by the board.
  • Adopt regulations necessary to ensure effective operation, maintenance and security of the property of the library system. Provided, however, such regulations shall not be in conflict with policy or regulations established by the Greenville County Council.
  • Annually at a time designated by the Greenville County Council submit to the council a budget for the ensuing fiscal year adequate to fund the operation and programs of the library system. Such budget shall list all funds, which the board anticipates will be available for the operation of the library system. All funds appropriated, earned, granted or donated to the library system or any of its parts shall be used exclusively for library purposes. All financial procedures relating to the library system including audits shall conform to the procedures established by the Greenville County Council.
  • Annually file a detailed report of its operations and expenditures for the previous fiscal year with the Greenville County Council.
  • Comply with existing county personnel policies and regulations specified in Appendix B of the 1976 Greenville County Code, as amended.

The board is also authorized to solicit and receive financial aid from the State and federal governments and other sources. All funds collected by the county treasurer shall be turned over to the board of trustees of the Greenville County Library and it shall deposit these funds in an appropriate institution for the operation and maintenance of the Greenville County Library. The board of trustees is authorized to disburse these funds in such a manner as it may direct. The Greenville County Library account shall be audited each year by a public accountant selected by the board of trustees.

The board of trustees shall annually, on or before September first of each year, make a report of its activities showing in summary form its receipts and expenditures, the libraries and bookmobile routes operated by it, the number of books, periodicals and other property owned by it, the character of the service rendered to the people of the County, including the number making use of its service, and such other pertinent facts as would show its activities during the preceding fiscal year. Reports shall be filed in the office of the Clerk of Court for Greenville County and copies shall be furnished each member of the county legislative delegation and the Greenville County Council.

Address:
Greenville County Library System
25 Heritage Green Place
Greenville, SC 29601
Telephone: (864) 242-5000
http://www.greenvillelibrary.org/