Sec. 8. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), an appointee to a library board may not serve more than four (4) consecutive terms on the library board. An unexpired term of two (2) years or less that an individual serves in filling a vacancy on the library board may not be counted in computing consecutive terms for purposes of this subsection. The consecutive terms are computed without regard to a change in the appointing authority that appointed the member. If:

(1) a member’s term is interrupted due to the merger of at least two (2) public libraries under IC 36-12-4; and

(2) the member is reappointed to the merged public library board;

the term that was interrupted may not be considered in determining the number of consecutive terms a member may serve on a library board. An appointee who has served four (4) consecutive terms may be reappointed to the board at least four (4) years after the date the appointee’s most recent term ended.

     (b) This subsection applies to a library board for a library district having a population of less than three thousand (3,000). If an appointing authority conducts a diligent but unsuccessful search for a qualified individual who wishes to be appointed to serve on the library board:

(1) the appointing authority may reappoint a board member who has served four (4) or more consecutive terms; and

(2) state funds may not be withheld from distribution to the library.

The appointing authority shall file with the library board a written description of the search that was conducted under this subsection. The record becomes a part of the official records of the library board.

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-14-2.5-3.]

As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.49. Amended by P.L.113-2010, SEC.158.