Cornwall Library Association

Minutes of the January 13, 2006 Meeting as corrected

Present: John Green, President, Carla Bigelow, Paul De Angelis, Alec Frost, Pam Jones, Norma Lake, Roxana Laughlin, Julie Schieffelin, Ann Schillinger and Jean Vitalis. Absent: Louise Dunn, Dominique Lasseur. Also present: Amy Cady, Library Director, and Tom Levine, President of the Friends of the Cornwall Library.

John called the meeting to order at 3 p.m. The minutes of the November 18 meeting were accepted with the following correction: “Paul De Angelis reported that the PR Committee will meet with the PR Task Force at its next meeting in January. The groups will help the Library to reach out more broadly and more effectively to the Cornwall Community. A new member of the PR Committee, Gina Maolucci, will edit the newsletter from now on.”

Treasurer’s Report:  In the absence of a written financial report, John Green reported that the Library has approximately $17,500 in the bank, a sum which should cover expenses until mid-March 2006. The Annual Fund appeal has brought in about $39,900 to date, about the same as the 2004-5 appeal but lower than the 2003-4 appeal at the same time of year. A follow-up letter will be sent to selected prospects. The anticipated $6,000 yield from the endowment will carry the Library into mid-April. After that, income will depend on the success of special events, which currently include the Francine du Plessix Gray reading and dinner in mid-April and the Memorial Day weekend book sale.

Library Director’s Report: Amy Cady submitted a written report, a copy of which is attached to these minutes.

Report on Talent Show: Tom Levine reported that the Talent Show was successful as both entertainment and a fundraiser. It raised more than $7,000, a better than expected result considering the lack of lead time. There has been lots of good feedback, and he believes that the event can do even better next year. He thanked Jean Vitalis for managing the actual show, since neither he nor Alexa Venturini was able to be present that night.

Report on CartoonFest: Paul De Angelis reported that he has prepared to-do notes:

1) creating a program book, complete with essays by the artists, and selling ads for it;

2) following up with the artists to pin down the works to be sold and the prices;

3) selling tickets

4) soliciting special donated items for the sale (e.g., a copy of The Complete Cartoons of The New Yorker and an autographed Hirschfeld caricature) and

5) coordinating the sale of used and new cartoon books.

He reminded the board that the main events are scheduled for June 3, 2006.

Report on Friends Activities: Tom Levine listed the following forthcoming events:

January: a showing of the documentary “Dreamland”

February: the Read-a-Thon being planned by Deirdre Fischer and Bridget Lynch

March: a seminar on pruning

April: Francine du Plessix Gray

May Memorial Day book sales, an auction; a Saturday sale on Ebay and at a Monday sale at the Library; sponsorships and/or a reception will need to be arranged

June or July: a Manhattan String Quartet concert at the UCC church

Amy Cady will check schedules with the MSQ members and will work with the organizers of all these events on sponsorships, timing, and expectations. The 2005-6 budget calls for raising an additional $20-25,000 from special events.

Reports from Selected Committees/Task Forces:

Development: Jean Vitalis reported that the Committee met and allocated responsibilities. She and Julie Schieffelin recently met with Damaris Horan to discuss the preliminary steps for a future campaign focused on the endowment. Damaris is willing to assist with the development of a simple planned giving pamphlet to be distributed by the Library as a community resource, not explicitly connected to a Library fundraising effort. Louise Dunn and Ann Schillinger are working on the May book sale.

Public Relations: Paul De Angelis reported that the January newsletter has been distributed and that the PR Committee and PR task force (Carol Schneider, Nora Horan and Seth Dolinsky) will be meeting jointly to review the website, newsletter and calendar as part of the Task Force mandate to determine how well the Library is currently presenting itself to the Cornwall community and how it can improve. A report will be submitted in the spring. Paul also distributed copies of the focus group report, re-organized by topic. People with ideas about publicity for the Library should speak to Paul.

Use of Space: Carla Bigelow announced the membership of the Task Force (Richard Campbell, Ann Schillinger, Alec Frost, Jill Bryant, Roxana Laughlin, Debbie Jones, Amy Buck) and the formation of subcommittees for these specific areas: the entrance corridor and wall; the office; and the space between the office and the stacks. The Task Force will meet on January 18.

Book Sale: Ann Schillinger reported that there will be three parts to the planned book sale: a live auction for special items, Ebay listings for somewhat special ones, and a book sale at the Library for ordinary books. A letter is being drafted to be sent to potential donors of books. Names of prospects should be given to Ann or Louise Dunn.

Board Development Committee: John Green reported that this committee is in formation. It charge is to review the current board membership, determine the qualifications needed in the future and assist the board in evaluating prospective board candidates. It also works with the Nominating Committee to propose future officer candidates and recommend committee assignments. Upon motion by Jean Vitalis, seconded by Norma Lake, the Board voted to approve a name change for the Committee, from Board Development to Trusteeship. The question was raised whether a Policy Development Committee was also needed.

Other Matters: Wi-Fi: John Green reported that Richard Griggs can set up a wi-fi system for about $200, depending on how many relays are needed throughout the Library building. It is scheduled to be installed on January 14 and will be announced in a future Cornwall Chronicle.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:06 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Julie Schieffelin

Secretary