Friends of the Manchester Library

Meeting Minutes for October 25, 2006

 

Attending: N. Brady, C. Campbell,  E. Cisney, J. Guariz, M. Guariz, B. Lounsbery, P. Paquette, R. Rada, G. Weixler, R. Weixler, John Winslow

  1. Julie: Finish and print a newsletter
  2. Carol & Gigi: procure willow of bamboo fencing to disguise the air conditioner; authorized funds
  3. Ron: continue development of trifold brochure for donation packages to advertise the needs for funds.
  4. Ron: find out whether KRL’s PR folks will print the brochure for us
  5. Joe: acquire and install a paper towel holder.

The meeting was called to order by President Winslow at 6:55 pm. Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as written, with one spelling correction.

Correspondence: None.

Treasurer’s report: Paying expenses from the money market account complicates the report’s display of individual account balances vs. type of expense; this is corrected using the “transfer” lines.

Penny jar: Lauri brought in $27; total well over $1700 now.

Branch Manager’s report: Will be attached to the final minutes. It was agreed we would not pursue providing refreshments for an upcoming program as a fundraiser, but would just make the refreshment available as part of the program. It was also agreed we would help with the painting work; may need to schedule it in several small jobs, around the library’s open hours.

Bookstore report: The Friends-only pre-sale was a very pleasant evening. The sale was very successful; there are still many books in the closet so there was discussion of having another sale before February. Instead, it was agreed to bring out categories of books for special displays in the book store. Sale dates for 2007 were set for 2/10, 4/21, 6/17, 9/15 and 11/17. We need two sales in the second half of the year, to reduce inventory.

Facilities Manager report: SE building power is restored (switch near the front door had been turned off by accident). There seems to be an open circuit in the north outside lights. Joe has contacted Jim Sehmel about possibly replacing the office carpet; action delayed until the formal report on environmental corrections needed is received from KRL. The water leak in front of the entrance may be a leak or just ground water following the pipe’s gravel bed; the locator service will do their work ONCE only for free; we will likely wait until spring now, unless the leak begins to show up on the water bill.

Old Business: Closed action items from 9/27 meeting (items not finished are under current action items):

1.       Eric/Terry Bow: Terry has some pieces of metal; two sections of the barbecue shrouding need replacing; he will bring them & see if they work, in June, when it’s needed.

2.       John: schedule a strategic planning session; scheduled for January 13, 10 to 2(not the 14th)

3.       Joe: contact the utility locator to find out water and power locations; they will locate once only, for free; wait until spring to dig out the area where the leak is happening.

4.       Rich will research donations history. Donor recognition levels set per John’s recommendation

MCC Village Commons Building Study :  Ron to invite Norm McLaughlin of the Housing Authority to discuss the possibility of combining a community center/library with senior housing.  If Norm is available, John will invite MCC Village Commons group to attend.

LLGC – Garden agreement: Carol and Norma spoke informally to LLGC folks, and mutually agreed to delay discussions for a short time until everyone is available again, probably in November.

Donor levels: John proposed several levels of recognition; after discussion, the following levels were approved for formal recognition: Benefactor: $1000 or more over past 4 calendar years. Sustainer: $500 or more over past 3 years. Patron: $100 or more over past 2 years. Bequests/Memorials: over $5000 listed in perpetuity; over $1000 listed for 4 years; over $500 listed for 3 years; over $100 listed for 2 years. Jean Gross and the Manchester Improvement Club will be added immediately, as perpetual listings.

New Business:

John reported on three meetings; of special interest; the first was a KRL Friends (from all 9 branches) meeting, where fundraising ideas were shared; Jill Jean, the new KRL director, spelled out her ideas for providing excellent library service. She is interested in libraries as welcoming, attractive spaces.

Julie has agreed to chair a nominating committee for next year’s officers.

John is writing a letter to banks, to solicit funds for the salmon bake next year.

Joe requested that we formally schedule meetings to run from 7 to no later than 8:15, and this was approved, with the potential to run til 8:30 if absolutely necessary.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm. Next meeting: Wednesday, November 15 from 7 to 8:15 pm in the library meeting room.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Carol Campbell, Secretary