Despite reduced library hours, limits on holds and the start-up of a fine system for overdue materials, circulation in the Timberland Regional Library system rose by 2 percent in 2009 from the previous year.

Also, Olympia Friends board member (and TRL trustee) Emmett O’Connell mused about some aspects of the article on his blog: “Debby Abe’s piece on libraries (featuring TRL and Pierce County)”

blaming social media for isolation and proposing the library as a brick-and-mortar solution seems to ignore how libraries can use social media for their mission

On that note, check out our Twitter feed, written by board secretary Elaine Nelson, and Facebook group, managed by new board member Carleigh Hill.

Application Deadline: August 15

The Friends of the Olympia Library will host one juried art show and sale this year on Saturday, November 20, at the North Olympia Fire Station, which is 2.5 miles north of Priest Point Park on Boston Harbor Road. (Map and directions)

This art show will provide the community with the opportunity to see the work, meet the artists, and do some holiday shopping while supporting the Olympia Timberland Library.

We will have a larger space than we did last year in the library, so more artists will be able to participate in the one show. The fire station has tables and chairs for us to use.

Our commission will be 20% — this event is a fund raiser for the Friends of the Olympia Library and all that we make goes toward the library.

There is a $50 refundable deposit to reserve the space. It will be returned at the end of the sale if the space was used. If you have to cancel, the deposit will only be refunded if we can find another artist to take the space.

If you are interested, we would like to have three photos of your work by August 15th.

Please send your photos and questions to:

Friends of the Olympia Library
Irene Osborn
8435 Island View Ct. NE
Olympia, WA 98506

Telephone: 754-6225

Email address: Libraryartsale@gmail.com

Addendum, Sales/General Meeting Committee Report:

We have a speaker for the General Meeting September 23.  J David Markham, the author of Napoleon For Dummies   will talk about Napoleon and the experience of writing a book for the Dummies series.  We are hoping that all board members will attend this event.  We will need lots of help.  The author may bring his Napoleonic snuff boxes and some art work, all of which will need to be monitored. At this point the agenda consists of refreshments, short  introduction of Board members and retirees, the author event and community  input.  We may  have  a presentation and installation of an interactive sculpture by sculptor Margo Westfall as part of  Theatre Puget Sound Arts Crush festival.  We’ll have more on that at the next Board meeting.

Sales Committee will be meeting with Cheryl and Sara Pete to explore a plan to involve businesses in support of the FOL.

Guests: Carleigh Hill, Peg Engwald, Monica Brincker
Present: Patti Paul, Cheryl Heywood, Beth Dubey, Mary Applen, Kay Tortorice, Lila Sjodin, Ross Lasater, Emmett O’Connell, Gene Little, Mary Belz, Irene Osborn, Georgia Munger (emeritus), Elaine Nelson

Called to order 12:05

May minutes (Elaine Nelson): clarified approval of funding; moved, seconded, approved.

Treasurer’s report (Beth Dubey): Earned $4138.76 from last book sale! Also deposited about $400 in memberships, including author event and book sale. Our certificate is earning 1.3% interest. She has created a backup of financial information on a flash drive. Anyone selling memberships should read the procedure; the most important point is to indicate amount paid. Earned $173 from Fireside Books from sales at Nikki McClure event in April.

Library manager’s report (Cheryl Heywood): discussion of service story. She was on radio the previous Friday with Dick Pust & Jennifer from the South Sound Reading Foundation talking about the Imagination Celebration this Saturday. She made sure to mention Friends funding of the event and the book sale coming up. One new item since report: Passport to Timberland program starts today, through end of September; visit each library & get a stamp. The Olympia stamp with otters was paid for by the Friends. Kristi in Youth Services will be going to Shelton library. Discussion of requests. Round up to $900. Moved, second, approved.

Sales committee (Kay Tortorice): the Jamie Ford event had 100+ people in attendance, sold lots of memberships. Carleigh Hill (guest) came because of that event & Kay’s introduction; she introduced herself to the group. Discussion of fundraising with businesses and how the TRL Foundation and the Friends coordinate in fundraising. Signups are needed for selling memberships at events.

Annual meeting (Kay Tortorice): changing plans to make more appealing to a larger number of people. Date is set for September 23. More details will be available in a month or two. If we have everything ready 6-10 weeks out, TRL can produce some promotional materials. Discussion of acknowledging Winnie Olsen: she will not be able to attend, but we will still honor her.

Volunteers (Lila Sjodin): Jennifer Elden will no longer be organizing book sale volunteers. Lila may be willing to take it on, but won’t be available for the next sale. She will work with Irene to figure out what to do next. We also need a volunteer to call new members also, now that Eve Johnson is no longer volunteering.

Communications committee (Emmett O’Connell): next meeting June 25th. The draft of the newsletter will be done by then.

Book sale (Irene Osborn): very active sale. Unfortunately, someone stole a valuable early 19th century book. Discussion of managing intimidating and disruptive behavior, including banning people with scanners.

Art sale (Irene): location set for the North Olympia (Boston Harbor) fire station, free to us, including tables & chairs. Spread the word to artists who may want to participate.

Outreach (Mary Applen): she needs referrals for assisting the home-bound with library services. Irene suggested having a flier on our book shelves.

Committees (Mary Belz): please review the list and think about for the next meeting.

Talking points (Mary B): she has written up some items that you can use when talking about the library.

Executive director search: Emmett explained the process but can’t say anything more. A decision may be made at June 23 meeting in Chehalis.

Adjourned 1:03

This event was sponsored in part by the Friends.

Guest: Peg Engwald (sp?), formerly of the Lacey Friends

Call to Order 12:03

Minutes of the April 2010 Meeting (Elaine Nelson) Becky’s last name is Liebman. Correct spelling is Frances. Moved, seconded, approved.

No Treasurer’s Report for May (Beth Dubey on vacation)

Library Manager’s Report (Cheryl Heywood) Big news is transfer to new software system, went pretty smoothly. Friends paid for some food for staff last week, which was very helpful. Cheryl nominated Mary Belz for awards given out by the Volunteer Center. Mary B. won an honorable mention for the “Lead with Experience” award. Ceremony is this Friday night. Mary & Cheryl will be on KGY 1240AM tomorrow to talk about the Friends. Requests in addition to those in report: security mirrors (2) $87.25 ea (174.50); lectern with cup holder $139; $60 for lunch for volunteer: total $373.50. PA system came in last week, but needs batteries. Patti proposed $400, moved seconded, approved.

Sales and Annual Meeting Reports (Kay Tortorice) Not much change since last time. Looking into getting business donations, either large donations and/or a separate membership category, in the talking stage. Still working on a date for the Annual Meeting in late September. Agenda set: refreshments & music, board members, Cheryl to talk about Friends, charette (sp?), possibly a volunteer award. Would like to honor Winnie. Make archive information available for people to look at during refreshments. Discussion about attendance.

Volunteers Report (Lila Sjodin) No report.

Communications Report (Emmett O’Connell) Set the next Committee Meeting. Working on Google Checkout. Discussion of newsletter.

Book Sale Report (Irene Osborn) Book donations have been significantly down; probably a fifth of previous levels, and a longer lull than usual. Peg said that Lacey has had lower donations as well. Discussion of ways that we can help boost donations. Art sale can’t be held here in December, need help finding a new venue, $300 or less. Discussion of art sale location & timing. Discussion of promotions for next book sale on June 12 – 13. Book sale fliers will be in Cheryl’s office to pick up, Irene will email. Thanks to Patti Paul for volunteering to take care of getting our Book Sale banner up for the June sale.

New and Old Business Discussion (Mary Belz)

• Vote on revised By-laws
  Approved.
• Election and Installation of new Board Members for two-year terms
  Current members up for re-election: Mary Applen, Mary Belz, Beth Dubey, Emmett O’Connell.
  New/returning members: Ross Lasater, Gene Little, Kay Tortorice.
  Moved to accept slate, second, approved.
• Heartfelt thanks and good wishes to retiring Board Members
  Jean Finely is stepping down after 15 years, still a strong supporter. Eve Johnson and Mary Flannery are also retiring. Thanks all around.
• Volunteers for Membership Sales at Library events
  Upcoming author events, sponsored by Friends; worked out who will be at events May 22 – June 19. Mary B has talking points available.

Green membership box is now up front, from Gayle’s husband.

Adjourned 1:01 pm.

Saturday, June 12
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(Friends members can shop as early as 8 a.m., and you can sign up on the spot!)

Sunday, June 13
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The book sale is our biggest fundraiser for our contributions to the library. Each year, we donate thousands of dollars directly to library programs, so take a trip downtown on this glorious weekend and buy some books for the library!

In the last few months the Friends have received fewer books than we usually do. Actually, we’re running at about 20 percent of what we usually collect of this time period.

The book sale is our biggest fundraiser for our contributions to the library. Each year, we donate thousands of dollars directly to library programs, so if you’re hanging on to any books you don’t need, please consider donating.

We’ll still have plenty of books for the book sale because we’ve had such a surplus over the past few sales.

Donating your books is very easy:

• You can simply drop your books off at the circulation desk of the downtown Olympia library. The staff will take care of the rest.
• If you have a lot of books and can’t bring them downton, please email our book sale coordinator Irene at irene.bookworm (at ) gmail (dot) com or leave us a comment here.
• Its even tax deductible! The library will provide you with a receipt for your tax purposes.