Cornwall Library Association

Minutes of the April 21, 2006 Meeting

Present: John Green, President, Paul De Angelis, Louise Dunn, Alec Frost, Pam Jones, Julie Schieffelin, Ann Schillinger and Jean Vitalis. Absent: Carla Bigelow, Dominique Lasseur and Roxana Laughlin. Also present: Amy Cady, Library Director, and Nora Horan, representing the Public Relations Task Force.

John Green called the meeting to order at 3:05 p.m.

Approval of Minutes Upon motion by Paul De Angelis, seconded by Pam Jones, the minutes of the March 10, 2006 meeting were accepted.

Treasurer’s Report: John Green circulated a written report and added the following remarks. The net from the MSQ event, which is in the $5,500-8,000 range, will carry the Library through the first May payroll. Then we will have to find the $15,000 that John estimates will be needed to meet the budget through June 30. He asked permission to borrow additional funds from the endowment with the hope of paying it back after the remaining special events. Upon motion by Pam Jones, seconded by Paul De Angelis, the Treasurer was authorized to withdraw $6,000 from the endowment.

John will bring a preliminary budget for consideration at the May meeting. He noted that there is still a shortfall in the Annual Fund, mostly related to some larger donors who have not yet made a gift this year. Amy Cady announced that she has received a letter from the Town of Cornwall announcing a grant of $24,000 for 2006-7.

Library Director’s Report Amy Cady circulated a written report and briefly reviewed it. The trustees congratulated Amy and Louise Dunn on two grants they have secured. Amy also described a fundraising idea she received from a Cornwall resident that would involve a non-Library use of the Community Room. Any decision was deferred until all members of the Board of Trustees could discuss the suggestion.

MSQ Report: Amy Cady reported that gross receipts were $11,500 and the net $7,420. The only outstanding expense is a Register-Citizen display ad.

Public Relations Task Force Report: Paul De Angelis circulated a written report. In addition, Nora Horan described the research done by Task Force members in neighboring libraries. They have each visited one library, made observations about what seemed to work well, and asked questions. They have tried to ask the same questions, so that they can generate useful comparisons. The results will be collated for a report that they hope to submit in June. Nora is working on a questionnaire to circulate to Cornwall residents. The Task Force is seeking to bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the question of library use in Cornwall. As an example, she mentioned that some other libraries have longer weekend hours, and the pros and cons of this idea were discussed as they might apply to our Library.

Report on May Book Sale. Louise Dunn reported that an online catalogue will be ready by May 1. She needs volunteers to staff the book sale and to distribute announcements. She estimates that the live auction, to be conducted by Sandy Neubauer, will have about 20 books and prints and the silent/online auction about 40 books. Terry Carlson will offer babysitting/story hour activities for small children during the live auction and reception, scheduled for 5-7 pm.

Report on CartoonFest. Paul De Angelis circulated a written report. Additional comments:

• The size of the program has to be determined by May 25, so he needs to know how many ads will be included. Jean Vitalis has been getting ads.
• Sizes and quantities of posters also have to be determined so that they can go out May 1. Jean will oversee distribution.
• Ann Schillinger has compiled a mailing list for postcards to be sent to people outside Cornwall; within Cornwall, there will be a bulk mailing.
• Tickets for the evening event ($20) need to be printed.
• People who would like to have their caricature drawn by Mark Simont need to call the Library for an advance reservation.
• Food will consist of coffee and pastries in the morning, with lunch to be determined (whether the 8^th Grade, for example, might sell food to raise money for a class trip), and reception food to be arranged for the evening.
• Some hospitality might need to be arranged during the day for the visiting artists.
• Sale of original cartoons will be coordinated by Ellen Moon.

Amy Cady questioned whether there would be activities for children, such as learning to draw their own cartoons.

Proposed Policy on Art Work Sales: Louise Dunn has now talked to Ellen Moon, who raised the question of the artists’ liability for sales tax if they are selling directly to the public and asked whether any contribution to the Library could be reduced by the amount of sales tax paid. Upon motion by Ann Schillinger, seconded by Pam Jones, the board voted to require artists exhibiting at the Library to suggest a contribution equal to 15% of the artist’s sales proceeds, minus any sales tax paid.

Report on Friends Activities: Amy Cady reported that the Readathon would take place this coming weekend and the garden cleanup/plant sale the weekend of May 6 from 10-2. The Hammonds will give a performance on June 29 and Alex Prud’homme will have a reading on June 17 of the book he has done with Julia Child. An oral history event is being planned for September, as is a lunch for 6^th graders to introduce them to the Library. She will check the status of the Francine du Plessix Gray reading.

Other Business: Amy Cady showed an architect’s rendering of a reconfigured office space with separate work areas for the two librarians. She is talking to Ian Ingersoll about making a low bench and to Jill Bryant about signage. Habitat for Humanity has asked permission to hang a birdhouse outside the Library as part of a special event; the board gave permission.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Julie Schieffelin

Secretary