The name of this association shall be Delaware Valley Information Consortium (DEVIC).

The mission of the consortium is to continuously improve interlibrary cooperation through cost effective sharing and development of quality resources to support the information needs of member institutions; and to promote and provide opportunities for professional growth, communication, data collection, and research.

Section A. Definition
A library is defined as an information center having the following characteristics:

1. a professional responsible for management of library services. This individual must have a Master's Degree in Library and/or Information Science. The library must be professionally staffed a minimum of twenty (20) hours per week.
2. a collection of information resources which fulfills the functions of reciprocity, equity and appropriateness for DEVIC.

Section B. Eligibility
Any library within the Delaware Valley willing to provide supportive document delivery and resource sharing and to work towards the attainment of other consortium objectives is eligible to become a member.

Section C. Application
Any library wishing to join must submit a completed application to the members of the Administrative Board for review. Qualified applicants will be voted on by the entire membership. Written reasons for exclusion will be given to any library that is denied membership.

Section D. Privileges
The privileges of each member library include:

1. one (1) delegate per library has voting rights (if a vote results in a tie, members will vote to break tie),
2. delegates are eligible to hold office, serve on committees, and participate in meetings.

Section E. Responsibilities
The responsibilities of each member library include:

1. compliance with the Bylaws and the policies and procedures as found in the DEVIC Policy and Procedure Manual,
2. professional staffing a minimum of twenty (20) hours per week (see Article III. Section A.),
3. a collection of information resources appropriate for DEVIC (see Article III. Section A.),
4. access to a telefacsimile machine for document delivery,
5. adherence to the document delivery guidelines as formulated in the Policy and Procedure Manual and the US Interlibrary Loan Code,
6. submission of semi-annual statistics to the statistician,
7. notification of the membership whenever a significant interruption of service, defined as five (5) or more consecutive working days, is anticipated, and placement of DOCLINE on hold,
8. payment of all consortium-related invoices within sixty (60) days,
9. attendance at least one general meeting each fiscal year,
10. annual renewal of membership by Memorandum of Agreement to be signed by the member library delegate and the administrator to whom the library reports, concurrent with payment of dues.

Section F. Dues
Dues are recommended by the Administrative Board and approved by the membership at a general meeting.

Section G. Status
There is one membership category: Active status. This is the full membership category available to any library desiring to participate fully and capable of complying with the Bylaws. Section H. Withdrawals

1. A library may withdraw from the consortium by submitting to the Administrative Board thirty (30) days written notice of intent to withdraw.
2. Upon receipt of written notice from the withdrawing library, the Administrative Board will notify all consortium members.

Section I. Terminations

1. A library shall forfeit its privileges and be relieved of its responsibilities in the Consortium if it fails to comply with the terms of these Bylaws.
2. The Administrative Board shall review and mediate instances of non-compliance. A non-compliant library will be notified by certified mail, return receipt requested, of its failure to fulfill its responsibilities as outlined in these Bylaws.
3. A library has ninety (90) days to achieve compliance.
4. A library can reapply for membership at any time.

Section A. Definition
The Administrative Board shall be comprised of no more than four (4) delegates of the consortium. These delegates shall be called Chair, Chair-Elect, Treasurer and Secretary.

Section B. Duties
The Administrative Board shall perform duties in support of the organization and as prescribed by these Bylaws. The Administrative Board shall meet within one month after its election.

Section C. Vacancies
The Administrative Board shall, if it deems it necessary, appoint a delegate to fill a vacancy occurring on the Administrative Board to serve until the next scheduled election.

Section D. Appointments
The Administrative Board shall, if it deems it necessary, appoint a delegate or representative to perform designated duties in support of the organization.

Section A. Nominations
Nominations for the Administrative Board positions shall be solicited prior to or taken from the floor at the election. All active member delegates are encouraged to serve as a member of the Administrative Board for at least one term.

Section B. Elections

1. The Chair-Elect, Treasurer and Secretary will be elected for a two (2) year term at the Fall meeting and will assume their new duties immediately.
2. During the second year of the Chair-Elect's term, that individual will assume the title and duties of Chair, and the current Chair's term shall end.
3. In 2005, the Chair-Elect, Chair, Treasurer and Secretary will be elected. In 2006 and every year thereafter, a new Chair-Elect will be elected. In 2007 and in every odd-numbered year thereafter, a new Treasurer and Secretary will be elected.
4. Each member of the Administrative Board will be limited to two (2) consecutive terms. (After finishing his/her one-year term of office, the Chair may run again for Chair-Elect.). After one year of nonservice, the delegate is again eligible for election.

Section C. Voting
Voting will be done by balloting or acclamation. Any delegate not present or not having proxy at the Fall meeting will forfeit his/her vote. Plurality shall determine the members of the Administrative Board.

Committees may be appointed at any time by the Chair (or Chair-Elect for programming-related activities). Reports of these committees shall be given at general meetings.

Section A. Attendance A delegate and/or representative must attend at least one meeting each fiscal year. If attendance at a general meeting is not possible, a library is required to notify the Administrative Board to be excused. Section B. Schedule General membership meetings shall be held in Fall and Spring. Section C. Announcements The time and place for these meetings will be announced at least one month preceding the meeting. Section D. Special meetings The Administrative Board has the power to call special meetings as the need arises. Section E. Votes Votes shall be carried by a majority of the present delegates or their proxies designated in writing.

The fiscal year of the Consortium shall begin July 1st and end June 30th.

The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Consortium in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any special rules of order the Consortium may adopt.

The Policy and Procedure Manual will reflect the wishes of the membership as discussed at general meetings and the operating actuality of the Consortium. The Administrative Board will be responsible for revising the Manual as needed. Any member may suggest revisions or additions at a general meeting, which will be added to the Manual after discussion and vote.

These Bylaws may be amended at any general meeting of the Consortium. Notices of the proposed amendment shall have been given in writing to all libraries at least one month prior to the meeting. A three-fourths (3/4) ballot vote of the delegates present or represented by proxy shall be required for the adoption of the amendment.

This document and all its articles and sections will be reviewed annually.