Legal responsibility for the Ottawa Library is vested in the Library Board of Trustees, which is the policy-making body of the Library. The responsibilities of the Library Board include: selection and appointment of the Library Executive Director, establishing Library policy, identifying goals and objectives of the Library, and control of Library funds, property, and equipment. Subject to existing statutes and ordinances, the Library Board has the power to determine rules and regulations governing Library services and personnel. The Library Board approves an annual budget and exercises control of expenditures within that budget.

The seven board of trustees’ members and the city of Ottawa mayor have the authority to make motions and vote on those motions.  No one else can make a motion or vote on a motion.  The executive director does not make motions or vote. The only member of the Ottawa City Commissioners that has authority to make a motion and vote on motions is the city of Ottawa mayor.  The other four members of the Ottawa city commission do not have authority to make motions or vote on such motions.

The Library Board typically meets monthly, on the fourth Monday of the month, in the Library Board/City Commission Study Session Room, located on the Library’s main level. The Library Board meetings are public meetings and are open to the public, the media, and the staff.

Special meetings shall be called by the president or upon request by a majority of the board members.  Written notice stating time and place of any special meeting and the purpose for which called shall, unless waived, be given to each member of the board at least two days in advance of such meeting and no other business other than that stated in the notice shall take place. (K.S.A. 12-1224 and K.S.A. 12-1243).

All meetings of the Library Board shall be subject to and in conformity with the Kansas Open Meetings Act (KOMA), K.S.A. 75-4317 et.seq.

Any action in regard to regular meeting dates must be by majority consent of the members present.

Eighty percent (80%) of the property was paid for with funds from the Ottawa Library Endowment Fund. The Ottawa Library Endowment Fund (est. in 1971) is a 501©3 organization (est in 2010).

Ottawa Library Endowment Fund (ad velorem and vehicle taxes are not allowed to be put into this fund):

●        Tax funds not allowed

●        Support future of Ottawa Library

●        Money deposited must be normal to fund operations and purpose

●        Advocate/fundraise for Ottawa Library

●        Accept donations and memorials for Ottawa Library

●        Staff members can opt to have payroll deductions to donate toward the Endowment Fund

●        70/30 Tax Credit approved by the Kansas Department of Commerce in 2024 resulting in $238,000 donated to the Endowment Fund and $31,200 in 2025.

Twenty percent (20%) of the property was paid for with funds from our capital improvement fund.

Ottawa Library Capital Improvement Fund:

●        Includes donations (memorials, fundraisers, miscellaneous, etc.)

●        Statute allows up to 10% of tax funds annually

●        Capital improvement needs (shelving, equipment, buildings, real property, etc.)

●        Unplanned damages and repairs

We do not keep any of our major purchases a secret.  Our board is subject to Kansas Openings Meetings Act.  Though executive sessions are used to discuss real property information and price negotiations, the motion to purchase is made in open meeting. 

Once the property was purchase a press release was sent out. The Ottawa Herald ran a story, our executive director was interviewed on KOFO and they provided follow-up information on air as-well-as information on their website, and our 1872 Memo that is mailed out to over 300 readers included the press release.

Each month during our Ottawa Library Board meetings a summary of upcoming events/activities at 204 Walnut Street is listed.  The library staff has held many programs at the new location.

Not yet.  The new location needs to be renovated.  We plan to have private and public fundraising.  Our goal is to complete this process over the next couple of years.  Hopefully moving in by 2027-2028.

We are currently in the quiet fundraising phase. During this phase we hope to gather several private supporters in order to move forward with the next public phase and to discuss a bond issue to complete the fundraising needed.

We are mailing out our annual spring appeals and year end appeals for funds. We were also awarded 70/30 tax credits in 2024 and 2025 that have all been sold. We welcome all donations.