Periodically, a board position will become vacant during the middle of a trustee’s term. Click on the link for either city libraries or district libraries to review procedures for dealing with a vacant board position.

Board Vacancies (Cities)
Board Vacancies (Districts)

Board Vacancies (Cities)

Idaho Code (IC) 33-2605.BOARD OF TRUSTEES -- VACANCIES -- REMOVAL. The board shall report all vacancies to the council within five (5) working days. All such appointments shall be made in the same manner as appointments are originally made. Appointments to complete an unexpired term shall be for the remainder of the term only.
Any trustee may be removed by the city council by the unanimous vote of all of its members. http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/idstat/Title33/T33CH26SECT33-2605.htm

When does a vacancy occur? 

Because state law is silent on this issue, it would be wise for a city library board to: (1) ask the City council to address it in an ordinance or resolution for the library, or (2) with the council's approval to write a vacancy clause in the board's by-laws.See City By-Laws

As a guideline for the establishment of a policy on vacancies, the board may look at Idaho Code 33-2716 - http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/idstat/Title33/T33CH27SECT33-2716.htm - which deals with vacancies on library district boards. This section identifies a number of reasons for declaring a vacancy. The following are those which could be applicable to a city library board:

1. The death of a trustee.
2. The resignation of a trustee.
3. A trustee is no longer a city resident.
4. Upon appointment, a trustee refuses to serve.
5. Without an excuse acceptable to other board members, a trustee misses two consecutive meetings. (If the board wishes to use this criterion, it should be cleared with the city council.)

How long is the replacement's term?

According to Idaho Code 33-2605: "Appointments to complete an unexpired term shall be for the remainder of the term only." http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/idstat/Title33/T33CH26SECT33-2605.htm

Board Vacancies (Districts)

Idaho Code section 33-2716 outlines the process for dealing with vacancies on library district boards of trustees – http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/idstat/Title33/T33CH27SECT33-2716.htm.

When does a vacancy occur?

Idaho Code 33-2716 gives the following reasons for declaring a vacancy:

1. When a nominee is elected but fails to qualify for office.
2. The death of a trustee.
3. The resignation of a trustee.
4. A trustee no longer resides in his trustee zone of residence.
5. A trustee is no longer a resident of the library district.
6. A trustee refuses to serve.
7. Without an excuse acceptable to other board members, a trustee misses two consecutive meetings.
8. A trustee is recalled.

How is a replacement made?

The board first must declare that a vacancy exists. This must be done either at a regular or special board meeting. They then have ninety days to name a replacement. If they do not name a replacement within that time period, the county commissioners of the district's home county must name a replacement.

How long is the replacement's term?

The appointed replacement serves until the next trustee election. At that time a trustee is elected to fill the unexpired term.