{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/42.1-35.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/42.1-35.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/42.1-35.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/42.1-35.html"}],"law_id":60032,"edition_id":1,"section_id":60032,"structure_id":14042,"section_number":"42.1-35","catch_line":"Library boards generally","history":"1970, c. 606; 1974, c. 84; 1985, c. 278; 1998, c. 212.","full_text":"A\n\nThe management and control of a free public library system shall be vested in a board of not less than five members or trustees. They shall be appointed by the governing body, chosen from the citizens at large with reference to their fitness for such office. However, one board member or trustee may be a member or an employee of the local governing body. Initially members shall be appointed as follows: one member for a term of one year, one member for a term of two years, one member for a term of three years, and the remaining members for terms of four years; thereafter all members shall be appointed for terms of four years. The governing body of any county or city entitled to representation on a library board of a library system of another jurisdiction pursuant to § 42.1-34 shall appoint a member to serve for a term of four years, or until the contract is terminated, whichever is shorter. Vacancies shall be filled for unexpired terms as soon as possible in the manner in which members of the board are regularly chosen. A member shall not receive a salary or other compensation for services as a member but necessary expenses actually incurred shall be paid from the library fund. However, the governing body of Fairfax County may pay members of its library board such compensation as it may deem proper. A member of a library board may be removed for misconduct or neglect of duty by the governing body making the appointment. The members shall adopt such bylaws, rules and regulations for their own guidance and for the government of the free public library system as may be expedient. They shall have control of the expenditures of all moneys credited to the library fund. The board shall have the right to accept donations and bequests of money, personal property, or real estate for the establishment and maintenance of such free public library systems or endowments for same.B\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of subsection A relating to the terms of library board members, a local governing body may alter the composition of its library board to create staggered terms of service in which approximately the same number of terms expire annually. To achieve this goal, the local governing body shall appoint in any year in which multiple terms expire members for terms of one, two, three, and four years as appropriate. Thereafter, all members shall be appointed for terms of four years. Vacancies shall be filled for unexpired terms as soon as possible in the manner in which members of the board are regularly chosen.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":219743,"text":"The management and control of a free public library system shall be vested in a board of not less than five members or trustees. They shall be appointed by the governing body, chosen from the citizens at large with reference to their fitness for such office. However, one board member or trustee may be a member or an employee of the local governing body. Initially members shall be appointed as follows: one member for a term of one year, one member for a term of two years, one member for a term of three years, and the remaining members for terms of four years; thereafter all members shall be appointed for terms of four years. The governing body of any county or city entitled to representation on a library board of a library system of another jurisdiction pursuant to § 42.1-34 shall appoint a member to serve for a term of four years, or until the contract is terminated, whichever is shorter. Vacancies shall be filled for unexpired terms as soon as possible in the manner in which members of the board are regularly chosen. A member shall not receive a salary or other compensation for services as a member but necessary expenses actually incurred shall be paid from the library fund. However, the governing body of Fairfax County may pay members of its library board such compensation as it may deem proper. A member of a library board may be removed for misconduct or neglect of duty by the governing body making the appointment. The members shall adopt such bylaws, rules and regulations for their own guidance and for the government of the free public library system as may be expedient. They shall have control of the expenditures of all moneys credited to the library fund. The board shall have the right to accept donations and bequests of money, personal property, or real estate for the establishment and maintenance of such free public library systems or endowments for same.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":219744,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A relating to the terms of library board members, a local governing body may alter the composition of its library board to create staggered terms of service in which approximately the same number of terms expire annually. To achieve this goal, the local governing body shall appoint in any year in which multiple terms expire members for terms of one, two, three, and four years as appropriate. Thereafter, all members shall be appointed for terms of four years. Vacancies shall be filled for unexpired terms as soon as possible in the manner in which members of the board are regularly chosen.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14042,"edition_id":1,"name":"Local and Regional Libraries","identifier":"2","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12939,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:40","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:40","permalink":{"id":220967,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14042,"identifier":"2","token":"42.1\/2","url":"\/42.1\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12939,"edition_id":1,"name":"Libraries","identifier":"42.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:03","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:03","permalink":{"id":220815,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12939,"identifier":"42.1","token":"42.1","url":"\/42.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":77003,"structure_id":14042,"section_number":"42.1-33","catch_line":"Power of local governments to establish and support libraries","url":"\/42.1-33\/","token":"42.1\/2\/42.1-33","metadata":false},{"id":75159,"structure_id":14042,"section_number":"42.1-34","catch_line":"Power of local governments to contract for library service","url":"\/42.1-34\/","token":"42.1\/2\/42.1-34","metadata":false},{"id":60032,"structure_id":14042,"section_number":"42.1-35","catch_line":"Library boards generally","url":"\/42.1-35\/","token":"42.1\/2\/42.1-35","metadata":false},{"id":70358,"structure_id":14042,"section_number":"42.1-36","catch_line":"Library boards not mandatory","url":"\/42.1-36\/","token":"42.1\/2\/42.1-36","metadata":false},{"id":61990,"structure_id":14042,"section_number":"42.1-36.1","catch_line":"Power and duty of library boards and certain governing bodies regarding acceptable Internet use policies","url":"\/42.1-36.1\/","token":"42.1\/2\/42.1-36.1","metadata":false},{"id":78547,"structure_id":14042,"section_number":"42.1-37","catch_line":"Establishment of regional library system","url":"\/42.1-37\/","token":"42.1\/2\/42.1-37","metadata":false},{"id":55136,"structure_id":14042,"section_number":"42.1-38","catch_line":"Agreements to create regional boards","url":"\/42.1-38\/","token":"42.1\/2\/42.1-38","metadata":false},{"id":68459,"structure_id":14042,"section_number":"42.1-39","catch_line":"Regional library boards generally","url":"\/42.1-39\/","token":"42.1\/2\/42.1-39","metadata":false},{"id":59703,"structure_id":14042,"section_number":"42.1-40","catch_line":"Powers of regional library board","url":"\/42.1-40\/","token":"42.1\/2\/42.1-40","metadata":false},{"id":82112,"structure_id":14042,"section_number":"42.1-41","catch_line":"Funds and expenses of regional library system","url":"\/42.1-41\/","token":"42.1\/2\/42.1-41","metadata":false},{"id":82664,"structure_id":14042,"section_number":"42.1-42","catch_line":"Withdrawal from regional library system","url":"\/42.1-42\/","token":"42.1\/2\/42.1-42","metadata":false},{"id":87163,"structure_id":14042,"section_number":"42.1-43","catch_line":"Appropriation for free library or library service conducted by company, society, or organization","url":"\/42.1-43\/","token":"42.1\/2\/42.1-43","metadata":false},{"id":70093,"structure_id":14042,"section_number":"42.1-44","catch_line":"Cooperative library system for Henrico and Chesterfield Counties and City of Richmond","url":"\/42.1-44\/","token":"42.1\/2\/42.1-44","metadata":false},{"id":80820,"structure_id":14042,"section_number":"42.1-45","catch_line":"Transfer of properties, etc., of public free library to governing body of city in which it is situated","url":"\/42.1-45\/","token":"42.1\/2\/42.1-45","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":75159,"structure_id":14042,"section_number":"42.1-34","catch_line":"Power of local governments to contract for library service","url":"\/42.1-34\/","token":"42.1\/2\/42.1-34","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":70358,"structure_id":14042,"section_number":"42.1-36","catch_line":"Library boards not mandatory","url":"\/42.1-36\/","token":"42.1\/2\/42.1-36","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/42.1-35\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1970. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 606 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1970 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1974, chapter 84; in 1985, chapter 278; in 1998, chapter 212<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":61990,"section_number":"42.1-36.1","catch_line":"Power and duty of library boards and certain governing bodies regarding acceptable Internet use policies","order_by":null,"url":"\/42.1-36.1\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":75159,"section_number":"42.1-34","catch_line":"Power of local governments to contract for library service","order_by":null,"url":"\/42.1-34\/"}],"permalink":{"id":220977,"object_type":"law","relational_id":60032,"identifier":"42.1-35","token":"42.1\/2\/42.1-35","url":"\/42.1-35\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/42.1-35\/","token":"42.1\/2\/42.1-35","dublin_core":{"Title":"Library boards generally","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 42.1-35","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The management and control of a free public library system shall be vested in a board of not less than five members or trustees. They shall be appointed by the governing body, chosen from the citizens at large with reference to their fitness for such office. However, one board member or trustee may be a member or an employee of the local governing body. Initially members shall be appointed as follows: one member for a term of one year, one member for a term of two years, one member for a term of three years, and the remaining members for terms of four years; thereafter all members shall be appointed for terms of four years. The governing body of any county or city entitled to representation on a library board of a library system of another jurisdiction<\/span> pursuant to § 42.1-34<\/a> shall appoint a member to serve for a term of four years, or until the contract<\/span> is terminated, whichever is shorter. Vacancies shall be filled for unexpired terms as soon as possible in the manner in which members of the board are regularly chosen. A member shall not receive a salary or other compensation for services as a member but necessary expenses actually incurred shall be paid from the library fund. However, the governing body of Fairfax County may pay members of its library board such compensation as it may deem proper. A member of a library board may be removed for misconduct or neglect of duty by the governing body making the appointment. The members shall adopt such bylaws, rules and regulations for their own guidance and for the government of the free public library system as may be expedient. They shall have control of the expenditures of all moneys credited to the library fund. The board shall have the right to accept donations and bequests of money, personal property, or real estate for the establishment and maintenance of such free public library systems or endowments for same. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A relating to the terms of library board members, a local governing body may alter the composition of its library board to create staggered terms of service in which approximately the same number of terms expire annually. To achieve this goal, the local governing body shall appoint in any year in which multiple terms expire members for terms of one, two, three, and four years as appropriate. Thereafter, all members shall be appointed for terms of four years. Vacancies shall be filled for unexpired terms as soon as possible in the manner in which members of the board are regularly chosen. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nLIBRARY BOARDS GENERALLY (\u00a7 42.1-35)\n\nA. The management and control of a free public library system shall be vested in\na board of not less than five members or trustees. They shall be appointed by\nthe governing body, chosen from the citizens at large with reference to their\nfitness for such office. However, one board member or trustee may be a member or\nan employee of the local governing body. Initially members shall be appointed as\nfollows: one member for a term of one year, one member for a term of two years,\none member for a term of three years, and the remaining members for terms of\nfour years; thereafter all members shall be appointed for terms of four years.\nThe governing body of any county or city entitled to representation on a library\nboard of a library system of another jurisdiction pursuant to § 42.1-34\nshall appoint a member to serve for a term of four years, or until the contract\nis terminated, whichever is shorter. Vacancies shall be filled for unexpired\nterms as soon as possible in the manner in which members of the board are\nregularly chosen. A member shall not receive a salary or other compensation for\nservices as a member but necessary expenses actually incurred shall be paid from\nthe library fund. However, the governing body of Fairfax County may pay members\nof its library board such compensation as it may deem proper. A member of a\nlibrary board may be removed for misconduct or neglect of duty by the governing\nbody making the appointment. The members shall adopt such bylaws, rules and\nregulations for their own guidance and for the government of the free public\nlibrary system as may be expedient. They shall have control of the expenditures\nof all moneys credited to the library fund. The board shall have the right to\naccept donations and bequests of money, personal property, or real estate for\nthe establishment and maintenance of such free public library systems or\nendowments for same.\n\nB. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A relating to the terms of\nlibrary board members, a local governing body may alter the composition of its\nlibrary board to create staggered terms of service in which approximately the\nsame number of terms expire annually. To achieve this goal, the local governing\nbody shall appoint in any year in which multiple terms expire members for terms\nof one, two, three, and four years as appropriate. Thereafter, all members shall\nbe appointed for terms of four years. Vacancies shall be filled for unexpired\nterms as soon as possible in the manner in which members of the board are\nregularly chosen.\n\nHISTORY: 1970, c. 606; 1974, c. 84; 1985, c. 278; 1998, c. 212.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}