DUTIES : The Library Commission studies, reviews, evaluates and makes recommendations to the City Council regarding existing or proposed library facilities, programs, operations, services and financing. The Commission advocates improved library service, and as a forum for public discussion of library needs, the Commission facilitates communication between the public, the City Council and Library Staff.

RELATIONSHIPS : The City Council is the final decision making body of the City, and the Commission acts on all matters referred to it by the Council. In its capacity as an advisory body, the Commission works most closely with the Library Department.

QUALIFICATIONS : Members of the Commission must live in San Jose. Commissioners must have a keen interest in the library system and the communities it serves, and should be able to work well with other Commissioners, staff and the public.

MEETINGS : The Library Commission meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 P.M. at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 150 E. San Fernando Street, 2 nd Floor Lecture Room (255/257). Commissioners spend 4-6 hours each month preparing for and attending the regular meeting. In addition, Commissioners spend 4-5 hours each month on activities such as acquiring supplemental resource information for Commission meetings and attending meetings with City Staff and community representatives.

BENEFITS : There is no compensation for Library Commissioners. However, from time to time, Commissioners may be reimbursed for some expenses incurred on City business.

POLITICAL REFORM ACT OF 1974 AS AMENDED : The Conflict of Interests Section of the Political Reform Act applies to the Library Commission; however, Commission Members are not required to file a Statement of Economic Interests.

APPOINTMENT PROCESS : All applications received are submitted to the Project Diversity Screening Committee for review according to the needs of the Commission as specified in a Needs Assessment Memo. Applications will be forwarded to the City Attorney for a Conflict of Interest review and thereafter, the applicants will be asked to appear before the Screening Committee Members for an interview. Following interviews, the Screening Committee will develop a list of applicants which will be submitted to the Council Member Liaison to the Commission. The Liaison will forward the list to the Rules Committee of Council either with or without a supplemental recommendation. The City Council makes the final appointment to the Commission based on Rules Committee recommendations.

ATTENDANCE : Commissioners are expected to attend all Commission meetings. San Jose Municipal Code Section 2.08.060 specifies that a Commissioner who has unexcused absences from any three consecutive regular meetings, or 20% of the meetings in a calendar year, is deemed to have resigned from the Commission.

For further information about the Commission, please contact the Commission Staff at 408-808-2355.