About SEKLS

Purpose

The System provides grants, consulting, and other services to public, school, and academic libraries in fourteen of the fifteen counties of Southeast Kansas.

Kansas regional library systems were established under Kansas Law (K.S.A. 75-2547, K.S.A. 75-2548) in 1965 as agents of support for local public libraries. The primary goals were, and remain, the improvement of existing library services and programs and the extension of library service to areas where it was previously unavailable. (Source: State Library of Kansas)

Executive Board, elected September 5, 2025

President, Scotty Zollars, Labette Community College
Vice-President, Jennifer Gum-Fowler, Fort Scott Public Library
Secretary, Jennifer Rosson, Caney City Library
Treasurer, Bev Clarkson, Pittsburg Public Library
Members: Julie McIntosh, Parsons High School; Sarah Owen, Independence Community College; Marilyn Von Soosten, Crawford County Appointee; Heather Kelly, West Elk Schools (Howard); and Joan Oliver, W.A.Rankin Memorial Library, joined April 2026

Staff

Sharon Moreland, System Librarian
Online Staff Directory link

Bylaws

Read the Executive Committee Bylaws

Meeting Minutes

Links to Approved Minutes arranged by year.

2026:

Archived Documents

Location and Contact Information

218 East Madison
Iola, Kansas 66749
Phone: (620) 365-5136
Toll Free: (800) 279-3219
Fax: (620) 365-5137
View Online Map

Board Information, specifically for County Appointees

Regional Library Systems

There are seven regional library systems (“regional systems of cooperating libraries”) in Kansas.
Systems exist to help local libraries provide adequate library services to all citizens of the state.
Each regional library system is governed by a system board.

Board composition

The boards of regional library systems consist of one representative of each member library and
one county appointee from each county levying the system tax.

Executive Board

Most duties of the system board are delegated to executive boards as authorized by K.S.A. 75-
2550a, due to the large size of system boards (over 100 members in some regions). Adoption of
the annual budget is the only duty which by statute may not be delegated to executive boards.

Duties

The one legal duty of the county appointee is to participate in meetings of the full system board.
Regional library systems have one or two system board meetings annually.
County appointees are also encouraged to attend system workshops, communicate the needs for library service and concerns of residents to the system
director and executive board, and advocate for improvement of library services.
Finally, if a county appointee wishes to be more actively involved, they are eligible for election
to the executive board subject to system bylaws.

Qualifications

The county appointee is a representative of the regional library system taxing district; that is, the
area where the regional library system tax is levied. County clerks can determine whether
potential appointees fall within this guideline.

Appointment and term of County Appointees

Appointment is made by county commissions. Terms are for four years.
Individual counties may have established procedures for applying for appointment. In general, a
letter of interest and a resume should be submitted. Those interested may also make the director
of their local library aware of their interest, as nominations may be solicited from libraries within
the county. County clerks should notify regional library systems when appointments to the
system board are made.

Communications

County Appointees will have email communication from the system director, and have access to
all blog posts, newsletters and social media communications of each system to help them become
and stay well informed about the system.

Southeast Kansas Library System

218 East Madison, Iola, Kansas 66749 | Call (620) 365-5136 or Toll Free: (800) 279-3219

Sidebar