Friends of the Orange County Public Library Hillsborough, NC Minutes of Executive Board Meeting May 14, 2012
Approved at Board Meeting June 11, 2012
Attendees: Sandy Gerstner, Erin Shepherd, Kate Tozzolina, Robin Bedingfield-Brown, Bill Barrows, Lucinda Munger, Andrea Tullos and guest: Margaret Granbery (SILS student)
Absent: Janet Flowers, Chris Holaday, Lori Graham, and Penny Van de Water
Co-Chair, Erin Shepherd, called the meeting to order at 6pm.
Minutes: Robin motioned and Kate seconded the motion to accept the minutes as written from the previous regular Board Meeting (April 2012). The Minutes were accepted. The Board also reviewed the outstanding action items list.
Financial
A short financial on the appreciation breakfast was provided. A quick review of the monthly financial report submitted by Sandy was made. The total checking balance = $11,460.09; the STC for $5,000 was closed and moved into Savings during April, with a current balance in all accounts being at $51,445.72. Bill moved and Kate seconded to accept the report. All approved.
Membership
Robin indicated that we are doing very well with 115 memberships year-to-date. Robin is going to be working on having takeaways printed either bumper magnets or T-shirts. Sally (the logo winner) has not responded to the request for printing, so she will be contacting a local printer she has worked with prior. Robin confirmed that she had $200 in the budget for this print job.
On-going book sale
Erin reported that the on-going book sale is going well. We have recruited and trained another volunteer, Laura Simmons on April 11th.
Finance Committee
Sandy reported that the committee met and will have a report at the June meeting.
May program
Robin reported as she and Janet attended the May ebook program. The program was fabulous and fun. There were approximately 15 people in attendance. There were quite a few topics reviewed such as 1) Restrictions that libraries are under for purchasing ebooks and 2) Possibilities, especially in legislature for the future. At the end of the program, the group passed around ereaders to view. There will be a class in July on how to download books provided by the library staff.
Recap of Friends of NC Public Libraries (FONCPL) Workshop:
Erin recapped a recent workshop that she and Janet attended. It was a fabulous event, providing energizing topics and sharing opportunities from other Friends groups. There were numerous presentations, which included an overview of what the FONCPL does for their members and Ross Holt, representing the NCPLDA (NC Public Library Directors Association).
FONCPL provides a Frances B Reid award and cash prize for Advocacy to a NC Friends group annually. This group works solely from membership fees.
Ross Holt focused on Advocacy as a Friends group. The State Legislative Day is coming up June 13 in Raleigh. Ross encouraged the groups to get involved and send advocacy information to their state legislators in support of public libraries. He also touched on State Aid, which Lucinda then expanded on. Lucinda shared that the request from NC Public Libraries is to not cut state aid. In Orange County it is a small percentage (13%) of our budget, however in some counties it can be 50% of their operational budget. The NCPLDA does have a lobbyist, who is supported by Friends donations and dues. The Orange County Friends did not send any support last year, however, the Friends of the Carrboro Library did send $100. The Lobbyist does not receive much in the line of financial contribution, and does this for a minimal fee. Erin is going to submit notes that cover the talks on 1) programs not book related and 2) sharing of good ideas.
Robin questioned why the Friends were not a paying member? Erin mentioned that she was going to bring this up, because the only way that they are receiving the info now is due to Janet’s personal membership with FONCPL. Robin motioned that she would like to have the Friends of Orange County join FONCPL as a group. Kate seconded the recommendation. It passed unanimously.
Staff Appreciation recap
Erin thanked everyone for this event, it was a huge success. Sandy pointed out that the Friends had received thank you notes from staff and passed those around. In addition, Erin mentioned that the group had received thank you emails from numerous staff members as well. Erin is preparing the details of this event, in order to share in the manual for future boards and events.
Library Program co-sponsorship June 23rd
Erin mentioned that we have a co-sponsored program with library staff on June 23rd and that Jess is handling the majority of this event.
Laptop Recommendation / requirements
At the April Board meeting, the financial review was shared in which a recommendation for the Friends to purchase a laptop for Friends Treasurer work. This recommendation was moved and voted unanimously. Ed prepared a document which was shared regarding the requirements and the details of a laptop. Ed has offered to spearhead this project and asked for a group to work with him. Sandy motioned that the Friends Board create a 3 person laptop task force to work on procuring a laptop. Robin seconded. This passed unanimously. Ed and Sandy and Erin have volunteered to serve on this task force and will bring in the next 2 – 3 months a recommendation on a purchase to the board.
News from the Library
Lucinda shared that the County Manager will present manager recommended County Budget to the BOCC Tuesday evening. The Library portion of the budget holds the line on operations, however, the CIP (Capital Improvement Budget) does have the $250,000 for the ILS project. We are issuing an RFP (Request for Proposal) for RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and an ILS (Integrated Library System) this summer. After the evaluation of the possible projects, we will go to the board in the fall for approval and purchase and implementation in Spring 2013. The Manager’s recommended budget does not have any tax increases. The BOCC work session for the library is May 24th.
On June 14, Lucinda will present the SW Property Siting Criteria at BOCC work session. This work session will review the comments from the Board of Alderman and the recommendations from Orange County Staff regarding those comments.
Tomorrow, May 15th, the Library staff will participate in a staff training for “Stewards for Children”, a YMCA program for prevention of sexual child abuse.
On May 30th, we will be updating Polaris. These updates will provide an update on the public pac.
The last Hyconeechee Meeting was April 11th.
We are hopeful that we may be receiving the LSTA Strategic Planning Grant. This grant will mainly pay for a consultant to work with us to prepare a thorough and thoughtful Strategic Plan. Our consultant that we will be using, Dr. Chow did get a call from the State Library to attend a State Library training for those consultants working with grantees this upcoming year. So, we are hopeful.
No other info was shared and due to the number of absent Board members, a group photo was not completed for the Newsletter.
The meeting adjourned at 6:50pm
Respectfully submitted by Andrea Tullos, Assistant Library Director
