Bylaws of the Youth Services Forum

Bylaws of the ILA Youth Services Forum


Article 1 - Name

The name of this Forum shall be the Illinois Library Association Youth Services Forum (YSF). The Youth Services Forum Board, consisting of the officers and board members for the Forum, shall be named the ILA Youth Services Forum Board.

Article II - Purpose

The Illinois Library Association Youth Services Forum addresses the needs and interests of those concerned with quality library service for children. The Youth Services Forum Board plans opportunities for youth services staff to network and to participate in continuing education events.

Article III - Youth Service Forum Leadership

Section 1. Membership

The Youth Services Forum Board shall consist of the current Manager(s), the Manager(s)-elect, the Past Manager(s), Committee Chairs (such as Awards Committee, Youth Services Author Breakfast Committee, and Social Media/Marketing Committee, etc.), the ILA Board Liaison, the ILA Staff Liaison, and additional members-at-large, not to exceed a total of thirty (30) active Board Members. The Youth Services Forum Board shall establish/reorganize standing committees as needed. Board Members must attend at least 50% of the meetings each year. All members of the Youth Services Forum Board must be personal members of ILA.

If there is an interested member in joining the Forum Board, but the Forum Board already has 30 members, the Forum Board will form a waitlist for interested members. Interested members will be followed up with chronologically as members leave the Forum Board.

Any library can only have one staff member serving on the Youth Services Forum Board at a time.

Further, in accordance with the purpose of the Forum (see Article II), members of the YSF Board must work with children in a public or school library.

Section 2. Terms of the Manager/Co-Managers

The Manager serves three years: one year as Manager-elect, one year as Manager, and one year as Past Manager.

Section 3. Terms of Office for members-at-large and committee chairs

Committee Chairs and members-at-large of the ILA Youth Services Forum Board serve two-year terms and may choose to serve additional terms. Interested new members may express interest in joining the YSF Board at any time throughout the year.

Section 4. Attendance and Voting

ILA Youth Services Forum Board meetings are open to anyone who wish to attend. Visitors in attendance at a Forum meeting may address the Board if recognized by the Manager/co-Manager. 

Only members of the Youth Services Forum Board may vote. A simple majority of those present at a meeting constitutes a quorum. Approval of actions and decisions requires a simple majority vote of the quorum.

Section 5. Committees

Committee Chairs are appointed by the Manager(s) from the Members of the Youth Services Forum Board. The Committees vary according to the current needs of the Youth Services Forum Board.

Section 6. Duties of the Youth Services Forum Board

The Youth Services Forum Board sets annual goals, plans the annual conference programs and activities for youth service members, plans continuing education and networking opportunities for youth services librarians throughout Illinois, and other events and activities as determined by the Board.

Article IV - Nomination and Elections

Section 1. Candidates

The Manager-elect/Co-Managers-elect must be selected from Members of the current Youth Services Forum Board or from previous Youth Services Board Members. The nominees must be personal members of ILA.  

Section 2. Elections

Nominees are elected for the term which begins in July. Elections take place annually in April. The date and location for the election is determined by the current Manager(s), the Manager(s)-elect, and the Past Manager(s) of the Youth Services Forum Board.

Article V – Meetings

The schedule and location for the meetings are determined by the incoming Manager/Co-Managers of the Youth Services Forum Board. The Forum Board will meet a minimum of 4 times per year, time and place to be determined. The Manager(s) will conduct the meetings. The Manager-elect/Co-Managers-elect will preside in the absence of the Manager.

 

Approved and Adopted April 24, 2015. Revised April 30, 2023.

ILA forums and committees are instrumental to the work of the association. Frequently asked questions, resources, and policies are available to ILA leaders to facilitate their initiatives.

iREAD Summer Reading Programs

Since 1981, iREAD provides high quality, low-cost resources and products that enable local library staff to motivate children, young adults, and adults to read.

Visit the iREAD website »