Friends of the Selinsgrove
Community Library Board Meeting
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Attending: Grace Housley, Linda Wieder, Joyce Bilger, Barbara McGary, Pam Ross, Liz Heim, Emily Johnson, Pat Reiland-Hess, Patty Gaugler, Joyce Hendricks
Welcome Members: Joyce Hendricks called the meeting to order.
Officer Reports
Vice President‚s Report: Nothing to report.
Secretary‚s Report: The minutes of the December 12, 2007 Board and Annual Meeting were reviewed. Liz Heim reported that although the total count Present of Tree Fest attendance was 1064, the count as of the December meeting was 725. She asked that the minutes be corrected to show that figure. Pat moved to approve the minutes with that change, Grace seconded. The minutes were approved as corrected.
Treasurer‚s Report: The financial statement for January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2007 was reviewed and discussed. Four hundred dollars has been received from Thrivent for the quilt raffle. The Checking Balance for 12-31-07 was $16,544.31. Pat moved to accept the financial as submitted. Grace seconded and the statement was approved.
Library Reports
Pam Ross reported that there are still two vacancies on the Library Board. Officers have been elected. Applications for the vacant positions, one for Selinsgrove and the other for the Selinsgrove area, are available from Carol Handlan or through Pam.
Pam also reported that the Degenstein Foundation awarded $20,000 to each the four branches of the Snyder County Libraries Inc. She said the foundation likes to give to groups with strong community support. She considers the FOL a strong indicator of community support for the libraries.
Barbara and Pam described Barbara‚s new position: District Consultant for the North Central Libraries. Her last day in Selinsgrove will be the last day of January.
Barbara said the Mother Goose on the Loose program received the Pennsylvania Library Association‚s best practices award. She also reported on upcoming programs at the Selinsgrove Library.
Committee Reports
Rolling Green Crocks
Joyce and Linda said that they would be meeting the following week with the artist to discuss the next design. There are 3 or 4 Rolling Green crocks left of the 700 ordered. The Rolling Green design was the best ever in terms of sales.
Susquehanna University Crocks
Grace and Pat reported that 143 of the Susquehanna University crocks have been sold so far. Of these 57 were sold directly by the potter. Approximately 34 are still on hand. It is not clear whether the advertisement in the SU paper helped sales. The crocks will be sold at Homecoming next fall and perhaps at graduation this spring.
Friends Merchandise
Liz reported that approximately half of the Smencils were sold at Tree Fest. The rest will be offered for sale at the Book Sale. The $270 expense for Smencils will be divided between Tree Fest and Merchandise.
Emily reported that of 170 sets of note paper approximately 35 are on hand and perhaps 15 sets are being offered for sale in local businesses. Of the books offered for sale at Tree Fest, approximately half were sold and the remainder returned to Walden Books. There are three book bags remaining, one at the library reference desk and two at Mrs. Green Jeans. Approximately half the tiles sold at Tree Fest. She will submit the bill from Design Tiles for payment.
Joyce Bilger presented a check for $12,000 from Friends to the Selinsgrove Community Library to fulfill its 2008 Wish List. Pam and Barb received the check and a photo was taken.
Joyce Hendricks read a thank you letter from the Library Board for FOL‚s support for the Wish List.
Liz moved that we fund the purchase of three books with book plates recognizing the three winners of the Tree Fest decorating contest. Grace seconded the motion and it passed. After further discussion of Tree Fest, Liz moved that we continue to sponsor Tree Fest. Pat seconded and the motion carried. Liz is preparing a final report for Tree Fest. She may recommend changes for 2008 that could include shortening the open hours and limiting merchandise sales.
New Business
Membership in Pennsylvania Citizens for Better Libraries, through which FOL receives its non-profit status as an affiliate, will cost $70.00. After discussion Liz moved and Emily seconded that we renew our affiliation. The motion passed.
Liz raised the discussion of the requirement that non-profits pay sales tax on items sold. She suggested that we not buy a CD with our excess funds until this is resolved as we may have to pay sales tax on current sales items. Liz will contact Tom Clark, an attorney, and Linda with talk with a friend who is a CPA for advice on this matter.
Linda asked that the board ok the quilt raffle for another year. Pat moved, Grace seconded and the motion carried.
The group discussed ways we might expand the number of members of Friends as well as identifying persons who are willing to serve as members of the Friends Board.
The meeting was adjourned.
Wish List 2008
Selinsgrove Community Library
$12,000
My vision for 2008 is to make our current library the best possible!
$3,000 Summer Reading
$3,000 is needed to fund our summer reading program. Last year 3,000 books were read by children in our community because the Friends of the Library and community businesses cared enough to sponsor our reading program.
$500 Family Place
$500 is needed annually to provide yearly upgrades to our Family Place as part of our preschool connection grant. Upgrades will include new materials for our pre-reading learning stations, books, free play materials and program expenses.
$3,000 Adult Collection Materials
$3,000 is needed to enable us to purchase multiple copies of best selling titles. Each month, long hold lists are created for new best selling fiction. Purchasing more than one copy of these popular titles will help to meet the demands of our vivacious readers!
$1,500 Discovery Backpacks
$1,500 will purchase 15 discovery backpacks and backpack holder for children to check out at the library. Discovery backpacks have books, activities, learning materials for pre and primary school children. They each explore themes such as music, bugs, telling time, feelings, art etc.
$1,100 Senior Information Center
$1,100 is needed to create a new information center display for our senior patrons. Important federal updates, local events, and new resources will be available in this new information center.
$2,000 Periodical Storage & $900 Newspaper Storage
$2000 is needed to purchase new furniture to house our current periodicals and $900 is needed to purchase new furniture to house newspapers. Currently both resources are housed in oversized stacks that block the flow of the library.