§ 23–403
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Educ. § 23-403 (2026)
Title 23. Libraries
Subtitle 4. County Public Libraries
§ 23–403LinkCopy Citation
(a)
(1)
Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection and subsection (g) of this section, each board of library trustees consists of seven appointed members appointed by the county governing body from nominees submitted by the board of library trustees.
(2)
A board that existed before 1945 under a corporate charter may continue as constituted if:
(i)
It has at least seven appointed members;
(ii)
The appointed members are chosen on the basis of character, ability, and demonstrated interest in library matters; and
(iii)
The appointed members meet the qualifications required under subsection (b) of this section.
(3)
In Harford County, the Board of Trustees consists of at least 7 appointed members, but not more than 11 appointed members, appointed by the county governing body from nominees submitted by the Board of Trustees.
(b)
The appointed members of the board shall be:
(1)
Representative of the area the library serves; and
(2)
Residents of the county that the library serves.
(c)
(1)
(i)
Except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of this section, an appointed member of a board serves for a term of 5 years and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(ii)
The terms of the appointed members are staggered as required by the terms of the appointed members serving on the board as of July 1, 1978.
(2)
Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, an appointed member may be reappointed but may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
(3)
An appointed member appointed to fill a vacancy in an unexpired term:
(i)
Serves only for the remainder of that term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies; and
(ii)
Is eligible for appointment to serve two additional consecutive terms.
(4)
An appointed member of the Board of the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System may serve an unlimited number of consecutive terms of office.
(d)
In Charles County, an appointed member of the Board serves for a term of 4 years.
(e)
In Harford County, an appointed member of the Board serves for a term of 5 years, beginning on July 1, and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(f)
Each member of a board serves without compensation.
(g)
(1)
A board may provide for the selection of a student member of the board in accordance with this subsection.
(2)
A student member shall be selected by a process established by the board.
(3)
The student member of a board shall:
(i)
Be a junior or senior year student enrolled in a public or nonpublic high school or a home instruction program in the county that the library serves, who is of good character and, in the case of a student enrolled in a public or nonpublic high school, is in good standing in the student’s high school;
(ii)
Be selected in the student’s sophomore or junior year by a method established by the board;
(iii)
Have an interest in library matters; and
(iv)
Serve a term of 1 year.
(4)
A student member selected to fill a vacancy in an unexpired term:
(i)
Serves only for the remainder of that term and until a successor is selected and qualifies; and
(ii)
Is eligible for selection for a full term if the student meets the eligibility requirements under paragraph (3) of this subsection.
(5)
(i)
Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, a student member of a board may vote on all policy matters before the board.
(ii)
A board may adopt a policy or bylaw to authorize a student member to vote on additional nonpolicy matters before the board.