MEMBERS PRESENT: Ellie Edwards, Arlene White, Carolyn Demorest, Linda Gawrelski, Ginny Bacik, Dolores Durbas, Alice Razzano, Linda Surprise, Clif Bridgers, Betsy Young
MEMBERS ABSENT: Elaine Michitsch
Meeting called to order at 1:30pm by President Ginny Bacik.
MINUTES: Minutes from the last board meeting of September 8, 2011 were approved upon a motion by Arlene seconded by Ellie with the correction of the spelling of “Waccamaw.” Betsy will forward the minutes to the board members for review, and Dolores will post them to the blog once approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Elaine sent her reports and Ginny passed around the P & L for 2011 – Income $15124.98, expenses $26939.99, for a net of ($11207.85). This was expected, as we paid for several items when the library re-opened last spring. Our account balance as of 12/31/11 was $6901.25. The Sales tax refund is expected to be approximately $1000.00. The report was accepted on a motion by Betsy and seconded by Linda Surprise.
Ginny stated that we need 3 people to audit the books. Ellie suggested that they be new board members to help them get acquainted with our activities. Dolores, Linda G., and Carol will do the audit. Ginny will ask Elaine to call them to set up a date and time, hopefully within the next 2 weeks.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Ginny advised that she has met with Ellie, Dolores, Arlene, and Lisa to familiarize herself with her responsibilities. She has also received copies of minutes for last year’s meetings. She stated that Lisa needs volunteers on Saturdays. Linda G. will meet with Lisa to set a process for obtaining qualified library volunteers, including Saturdays.
OLD BUSINESS: Security cameras: Lisa says she does see a need for security cameras. Ginny has been unable to contact Ronnie, who has promised to look into the matter. Ginny will keep trying.
DVD cleaner: Lisa is still interested in one but she hasn’t settled on a model. On a motion by Dolores and seconded by Linda G. the board allocated up to $2000 to purchase a DVD cleaner. Ginny will notify Lisa that the money is available.
Tree and bush removal: Ginny will discuss it with Ronnie when she reaches him.
E-reader: Per Lisa, if obtaining e-book downloading capability is approved by the county board, it will be county-wide, not just for the Leland branch library. Residents are anxious to get it. There has been no decision yet.
New county libraries: Ginny needs to talk to Ronnie about this.
NEW BUSINESS: Need for by-laws review/ frequency of meetings: Ginny has a copy of by-laws dated 5/19/08. Betsy will locate an e-copy of it or a later date (if available) and forward it to the board for review and discussion at the next meeting. Current by-laws call for general meetings in February, June, and November of each year and board meetings each January, March, May, and September. Betsy mentioned that at the time of the latest review, we were holding book sales once or twice a year only and meetings were scheduled to facilitate information and activity regarding those sales.
Other: Arlene mentioned that we applied for and didn’t receive a grant for our library from Brunswick Electric in 2010. The application period this year is from January 15 through February 15. The application is located at www.bemc.org. Clif will look for last year’s grant application. Arlene is heading the effort to complete the grant and will be assisted by Ginny and Dolores.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: Magnolia House/Book Sale: Ellie informed the board that the 1/14/12 sale was the best ever – we made $1661.00. The publicity was excellent. Advertising Civil War books and highlighting a couple of authors worked well. February’s sale will highlight WWII books and works by John Grisham and Danielle Steel. She also stated that Lisa needs books covered, but there is no process in place to get/train volunteers to do this. Ginny will talk to Lisa about setting up a process. Lisa provides training for volunteers she has approved.
Neil Brooks of Leland Parks and Recreation, will contact Ellie regarding moving the Leland farmers’ market to the side of our yard – between the Magnolia House and the library. It may involve changing the dates of the farmer’s market to take advantage of the anticipated increased traffic.
Publicity: Dolores thanked Clif for correcting the blog layout. She has made personal contacts with the Brunswick Beacon and Encore and Ben Steelman of the Star News. She also spoke to “Living Out Loud” and is discussing a possible feature on our library in August. So far the Leland paper has not included any information she has sent them. Alice suggested contacting Jane Crowder, who may have influence. Both www.americantowns.com, and www.townplanner.com have free listings. She wants to ask customers at our book sales how they received information concerning the sale to help her make the best use of her publicity options. She will create a form which can be quickly used at upcoming sales. She is hoping for an article in the North Brunswick magazine as well.
The Newcomers’ meeting occurs the day before our book sales. She suggested doing a 5 minute blurb on the library and the Friends. Ginny will discuss it with Lisa. Alice asked if we have anything to include in the welcome bags handed out to new members at those meetings. Arlene will give Alice copies of the tri-fold and bookmark we have now and will look into the feasibility of additional material. Also, the bookmark needs to be revised to include the Friends of the Leland Library blog address.
Membership: Arlene reported that we now have 232 active members, with 45 unpaid for 2011. She collected 2012 dues from several board members.
Volunteers: Linda G. reported that Lisa prefers to vet volunteers herself. Linda will, however, be willing to schedule volunteers, as there appears to be no existing system to assure continuous help.
Motion to Adjourn was made by Betsy, seconded by Dolores. The meeting was adjourned at 3:26pm.
MOTIONS PASSED:
1. Approve minutes of 9/8/11 board meeting as amended2. Adjourn the meeting
ACTION ITEMS:
1. Betsy will e-mail the minutes to the board members, and Dolores will post them after adjustments on the blog.2. Ginny will ask Elaine to call Linda G, Dolores, and Carol to set the time for the audit.
3. Linda G. will meet with Lisa to determine a process for obtaining qualified volunteers to work in the library.
4. Ginny will contact Ronnie regarding the need for security cameras, tree and bush removal, and the status of additional county libraries.
5. Ginny will notify Lisa that up to $2000 is available for purchase of a DVD cleaner.
6. Betsy will forward an e-copy of the latest by-laws to the board members for their review and comments.
7. BEMC grant – Clif will look for last year’s application. Arlene will work on the current application with assistance from Ginny and Dolores.
8. Ginny will talk to Lisa about setting up a process to train volunteers for specific needs and do a 5-minute talk on the library and Friends at Newcomers meetings.
9. Neil Brooks will contact Ellie regarding moving the farmers’ market closer to Village Road to combine it with our book sales.
10. Dolores will create a form to be used at upcoming sales requesting how customers received information about the book sale.
11. Arlene will give Alice existing copies of our tri-fold and bookmark to include in newcomers’ bags at their meetings. The bookmark will be edited to include our blog address.
