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Trustee Toolkit: Open Meetings Law: Board Packet FAQs

This guide will help your library comply with NYS's Open Meetings Law.

Board Packets

Open Meetings Law requires that any document that will be discussed at a board meeting be made available on the library's website at least 24 hours before the meeting.  The law also requires that a draft of meeting minutes be posted within two weeks of the meeting.  A draft of minutes from an executive session be posted within one week from the date of the executive session.

Trustees prepare for a board meeting by reviewing the board packet, a set of documents that includes:

  • Meeting agenda
  • Draft minutes of previous meeting
  • Financial reports
  • Library Director/Department Head reports
  • Schedule of bills to be paid
  • Proposed actions and Committee reports

Sample Board Packet

FLLS must follow OML too. 

Here's a look at our documentation:

https://www.flls.org/board-of-trustees/board-meeting-documents/

Notice that reports, budgets, etc. are included in the board packets.

Board Packet FAQs

Q: What's included in a board packet?

Answer:

Any document that will be the subject of discussion at the board meeting must be included in the board packet. 

     Example:  FLLS Board Packet (aka Meeting Documents) https://www.flls.org/board-of-trustees/board-meeting-documents/ 

Q: Do we have to include our financial statements?

Answer:

Yes.  Financial reports, budgets, etc. must be included.  You may redact account information for privacy and security reasons.

Q: Does the board packet have to be posted online?

Answer:

Yes.  Your board packet should be available online 24 hours before your scheduled board meeting.  It can be removed 24 hours after the meeting has occurred.

Example:  If your board meeting is Tuesday at 6 pm your board packet must be posted online by 6 pm Monday (24 hours before the meeting).  The board packet may be removed Wednesday at 6 pm (24 hours after the meeting has occurred.)

Q: Does a print copy of the board packet have to be made available?

Answer:

Yes, your board packet must be available to anyone who requests it in an accessible format.

 

 

This project is administered by the South Central Regional Library Council.