The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-12-31
An Act Authorizing she kstabiishmens
Of Pahlsc Libraries In Cities.

Be II enacted by the Legislature OF the
state Of Washington:
Section THAT whenever three or more
resident taxpayers of any city in this
state having a pogaiiaaion of 5000 or more
people, that Is any city OF the first CLASS,
the second or the third class or ANY city
of like population existing under special
legislative charter, shall present to the
mayor and council Of such city their petl-
ton in writing for the ESTABLISHMENTS o.
public library in said city, together WIN
their private agreement TO denote 10 the
city, within three months thereafter, Tor
the use of such library, GOO in money or
books. it shall be the duty of the said
council forthwith to appoint three repu-
table citizens of said city as directors or
the public library.
Sec 2-Said directors are authorized to
receive from said petitioners ard from
any other persons, donations of money
and books for the purpose specified In the
preceding section, and to appraise said
books: and when they have received such
donations of the value of $i,GO0 they shall
report that fact to the courcl, stating
how much OF the donation is in money.
Sec. 3-Thereupon 1t shall be the duty
of the council 10 provide, at the expense
of the city, until the beginning or the
next fiscal year of the city, a suitable
room and librarian for such public Ii
brary.
Sec. At shall be the duty Of the coun-
Gil of every such city, after the directors
have made the report mentioned in the
second section of this act, annually at
the same time and in the same manner
ether taxes are levied. to levy a tax of
not more than one-half mill on the dollar
for the support of such library. The
money so raised shall be kept as a
separate fund, to be known as the library
fund, and shan be disbursed for library
purposes only.
Sec. Sit shall be the duty of the Of
ficers of the city who are authorized by
law TO draw Warrants upon the city
treasury, TO draw upon the library fund
such warrants as the directors. or ma
jorlty of them. silan direct, except where
otherwise provided in this act.
Sec. 1.-THE three directors first appoint
ed shall determine the length OF their
term OF office By lot. reporting the re-
suit thereof TO the city council. The
term OF one thereof shall expire at the
same time as that of mayer In Office at
the time of their appointment: the term
of a second shall expire enc yeer later:
and that of the third two years later than
that OF the first. Whenever a director'yl
term of office shall expire. 1T shall be the
duty of the council TO appoint his success
sor, who shall hold office for three years.
Sec. Every director, before entering
upon the duties Of his Office. shah file
with the city clerk a bond, with sufficient
saireties to be approved by the council,
conditioned upon the faithful perform
anee of the duties of his office. Such bond
shall be In the penal sum of 5000, and
shall be payable to the city. No director
shall receive any compensation for his.
services.
Sec s-The directors of the public IL
brary shall have sole control OF the library
and shall disburse the money belonging
to the library fund. They shall, when
the same are not furnished by the city.
provide and furnish suitable rooms, and
shall appoint all librarians and assistants
and fix their compensation. They shall
attend to the selection. purchase ami
preservation of books and other property
for the library, and may make rules for
ITS government not in conflict with law.
They shall. so far as the funds at their
disposal Will warrant, keep the library
open at reasonable hours throughout the
year. They may direct warrants on the
treasury TO he drawn. and may expesld
all money belonging to the liorary fund.
sncluding the donations mentioned in The
first and second sections in this act: pro-
vsded. that II any money or funds be do
mated TO the library. or TO the city for
il. Hpon condition that only the iEcome
thereof shall be used. the directors shall
hfsN fApS&t>t airy HdsL oA TIC
thereof; but they may invest the pr;nci-
psi under the direction and with the APP
prevail OF The city council; provided fur
Their. that the directors shall have no
power 10 create any Indebtedness against
the city or the library. They shall, on
the last Monday preceding the expiration
Of the term OF a director. make an annual
report tn the mayor and council of the
conditions and needs Of the library, with
n detailed statement of their receipts and
expenditures during the year.
Sec. 9--An inhabitants of the city STA Il
enjoy the use OF the library without
charge; provided, however. that the d.
rectosS may exclude from the library
rooms dtsorierly persons, persons who
violate the rules established by the direc-
tors, and Persons OF had rcpute: AMI may
require SECURITY for the care ard return
OF books taken frs>zn the ROOM
Sec. 10-AG existing laws. IN 50 far as
they conflict with the provisions az this
act, are hereby repealed. and this act
shall not be construed as providing for
the support % more than one library in
any one cxty