As a public entity receiving tax revenue for its funding, the library is organized by state statute. State law defining county library boards, appointment qualifications, removal, and vacancies is RSMo 182.050 which, in part, reads as follows:
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182.050. For the purpose of carrying into effect sections 182.010 to 182.120, in case a county library district is established and a free county library authorized as provided in section 182.010, within sixty days after the establishment of the county library district, there shall be created a county library board of trustees, of five members, who shall be residents of the library district, none of whom shall be elected county officials. The members shall be appointed by the county commission for terms of four years each… Vacancies in the board occasioned by removals, resignations or otherwise shall be reported to the county commission and shall be filled in like manner as original appointments; except that if the vacancy is in an unexpired term. No member of the board shall receive compensation as such. No person shall be employed by the board of library trustees or by the librarian who is related within the third degree by blood or by marriage to any trustee of the board.
Editor’s note: Library board member Daren Adkins, who is elected as Daviess County Associate Circuit Judge, may be interpreted as a member of the state’s judiciary system rather than as an elected county official. This interpretation is based on inquiries posed to the Office of Legislative Research via the Secretary of State, the general counsel of the Missouri Ethics Commission, and the attorney retained by the Missouri Press Association. Although recognizing that the law is vague and without discovery of any case law, none of these entities can determine the legal application of the law. An inquiry has been forwarded to the Missouri Attorney General’s office, but response is not anticipated anytime soon.
The following are currently appointed by the Daviess County Commission and serve 4-year terms on the Daviess County Library Board (board members elect their own officers):
Daren Adkins, Daviess County Associate Circuit Judge — board president, appointed 2000, current term ends July, 2020
Gregg Hartley, public school teacher — board secretary, current term ends July, 2021
Kelvina Hobbs, bank employee — current term ends July, 2021
Mary Jarboe, retired school teacher — current term ends July, 2019
Shonna Morrison, school counselor — current term ends July, 2018