Friends of the Library Bylaws

Article I - Office

The office of the Friends of Houston Cole Library will be located in Houston Cole Library.

Article II - Membership and Contributions

Section 1.
Any person interested in the purpose of the Friends of Houston Cole Library will be eligible for membership by making a contribution as set forth in Section 2, or by action of the Board of Directors as provided in the Constitution.

Section 2.
There shall be the following classes of membership:

  • Individual: Any person contributing $30 per year.

  • Benefactor: Any person or organization contributing $100 or more per year.

  • Patron: Any person or organization contributing $500 or more per year.

Section 3.
Membership privileges include the right to attend meetings, participate in programs, serve on the Board of Directors, vote in elections, and to borrow books with the same circulation privileges afforded to University staff.

Article III - Meetings

Section 1.
The Friends of Houston Cole Library will meet semi-annually in the fall and in the spring. The fall meeting will be the annual business meeting for election of officers, committee reports, and other business that may come before the membership. The spring meeting will include a program, which may be co-sponsored by other organizations with similar interest.

Section 2.
Additional meetings may be called by the Board of Directors as needed.

Article IV - Officers

Officers will consist of a Chairman and a Vice Chairman to be elected from the membership as provided in the Constitution. The University Librarian shall serve as Secretary/Treasurer, ex officio.

Article V - Committees

Section 1.
The Chairman may appoint standing committees as deemed necessary. These may include, but are not limited to:
a. Membership
b. Solicitation and Gifts
c. Program
d. Publications and Publicity
e. Budget

Article VI - Gifts

Section 1.
The Friends of Houston Cole Library may accept gifts of books, manuscripts, or other personal property on behalf of the Library. Retention or disposal of such gifts, in whole or in part, will be determined by the University Librarian in concert with Library policy.

Section 2.
Neither the Friends of Houston Cole Library nor the Library will appraise such gifts.

Article VII - Amendments

These Bylaws may be amended at the annual meeting of the Friends of Houston Cole Library by a simple majority vote of the members present, provided the amendment has the approval of the Board of Directors.