[DRAFT]
Taken October 20 by Elaine Nelson, Secretary
Present: Mary B, Beth, Mary F, Patty, Eve, Mary A, Elaine, Cheryl
Guests: Judy Young, Eileen Ackerman, Kay Toterisi (?), Mark D.
Called to order 12:04pm
Introductions
Winnie had a brain aneurysm, was at Harborview will be in rehab, doing pretty well. Has a card to sign.
Minutes of September Meeting – no corrections suggested.
Treasurer’s Report – Beth Dubey – $4217 net from the last book sale, shouldn’t be any more expenses outstanding. Cheryl updated on the status of tables that can be used for the book sales in the future. Beth is researching liability insurance. Eve not sure why we’d need it. Beth said that we might be liable if someone gets hurt at the book sale. Mark said that if someone filed a lawsuit, would still need to pay a lawyer to write a letter asking to dismiss, also suggested that there’s a possibility of suit in relation to fraud. $200/yr. Mark said one of the last boards he was on, that’s about what that cost. National Friends organization offers insurance, Beth has a book on hold. She will discuss with Mark and come back with a recommendation. Trader Joes does not offer accounts. Got check from ink recycling, $80. Beth, Patty & Elaine worked on bylaws updates, she will send by email this coming week to discuss at Nov meeting.
Library Manager’s Report – Cheryl Heywood – Cheryl has district-wide Friends Boards directory. Need to have a time for Mimi to come during the booksale on Dec 11, no other program scheduled, suggests 5:30. Mary B asks if we should have it while the library is actually open, perhaps at 4pm. Mary A is concerned about driving at night. Elaine is not able to attend that day. Current suggestion is 4pm, Cheryl will contact Mimi to see if that time will work. Brendan Mull event with B&N voucher tie-in, we will be getting reimbursed $300 of our original $500 cost from TRL, voucher thru this week. Asking for replacement sign (whiteboard) to replace easel that has been overshadowing book display.
New and Old Business, and Discussion – Mary Belz
Clarification of purchases. No longer buying bottled water for events, and have not done so, still working through the leftover bottles since last purchase. Amount of money spent for staff refreshments: Since 4/1, $770 on meetings and parties. Had once said $200/mo was a limit. Have spent $1550+ at grocery stores, about half staff, half programs. $200 for book fair. Question that arose is given our funding, what library needs, what friends what to do, is refreshments something we want to spend money on? Mary F mentioned specifically having book groups (Pageturners) buy their own refreshments, others have said it was not a good use of money, she doesn’t think so either. Eve thinks food in general is not a good use of our money. Mary B thinks it’s a bigger discussion — Beth has list of functions where we’ve bought food — for next time, everyone have a chance to look at the list and decide if this is something we want to do. Mary A suggests providing coffee, but no other food. Beth will prepare a more thorough report and send to board.
Goodwill candy for people upset by late fines. Instituted fines 10/1, much more difficult in terms of pushback, people owing $100+, across the board people who said were overinformed, and others who said they didn’t know anything. Started accruing before Oct 1, and a lot of people weren’t aware. Discussion of issues around fines. Did giving candy help? Yes, did for a day or two, and kept morale up among staff and patrons.
No committee reports (chairpeople all absent, due to work, school or illness).
Mary B wants to talk about committees and volunteering at the next meeting, had been hoping to have materials for this meeting, but not yet prepared. Will be meeting with committee chairs over the next month.
Putting out a quick issue of the newsletter, to help promote the art show. If anyone has anything, get it to Mary B ASAP, everything goes to Emmett at the end of the month.
Adjourned 1:03 pm.
Amended from email by Beth Dubey: “I am sure we approved the requests in Cheryl’s October report at the October meeting, but that is not reflected in the minutes.”