Marvin Mandel, Governor                          1685

poration, and other laws applicable to the Board of Trustees of The
Washington County Free Library.

(b) Boards of trustees of libraries, which were in operation be-
fore 194.5, and which were by their Charter or Articles of Incorpora-
tion self-perpetuating or otherwise specifically constituted, may con-
tinue as they are presently constituted; provided their membership
is representative of the area served by the library, is chosen on the
basis of ability, character and demonstrated interest in library
service, is not restricted by political affiliation, race, sex, color or
creed, and includes at least seven members. The restrictions on boards
of trustees, pertaining to the composition of boards of trustees and

method of appointment, contained in other but not in this section of

this subtitle, shall not be construed to apply to this section.

Charter government counties may provide by the terms of their

Charters for the selection and composition of the membership of

boards of trustees by (1) the method described in this section or, if

specified in their Charter; (2) a different method of appointment
or different powers and duties of boards; provided, however, that all

responsibilities of local boards provided for in this Article shall be

fulfilled by local governmental agencies specifically designated by
the legislative body of the respective local government.

173.

(a) The EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN SECTION
171, THE Board of Library Trustees in any county OR DESIG-
NATED LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL UNIT AS PROVIDED IN
SECTION 171B OF THIS SUBTITLE shall have the following gen-
eral powers and duties:

(1)    To determine the policy of the library;

(2)    To adopt bylaws for the conduct of its business, and to choose
its own officers;

(3)    To make reasonable rules and regulations for the use of the
library;

(a) To select and appoint a professional librarian as chief ad-
ministrator DIRECTOR and establish personnel policies for the
library subject to the proviso that no qualified applicant be dis-
criminated against on the basis of race, color, sex, creed or political
affiliation. (I) TO ADOPT POLICIES REGARDING STAFF
CLASSIFICATION, SALARIES, AND BENEFITS INCLUDING
VACATION, SICK LEAVE AND HOURS OF WORK. IN THOSE
COUNTIES WHERE THERE IS A LOCAL PERSONNEL OR
CIVIL SERVICE AGENCY HAVING RESPONSIBILITY FOR
PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR COUNTY GOV-
ERNMENT EMPLOYEES,, THE COUNTY BOARD OF LIBRARY
TRUSTEES SHALL UTILIZE THE SERVICES OF THE AGENCY
AND REQUEST ITS ADVICE IN SETTING UP PERSONNEL
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. (II) TO SUSPEND OR DIS-
MISS WITHOUT APPEAL ANY PROFESSIONAL OR CLERI-
CAL EMPLOYEE OF ANY LIBRARY ESTABLISHED OR OPER-
ATING UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBTITLE, ON

(c)