Cornwall Library Association

 

Minutes of the June 9, 2006 Meeting

 

 

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

 

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

 

Approval of Minutes:  Upon motion by Carla Bigelow, seconded by Louise Dunn, the minutes of the May 12, 2006 meeting were accepted as presented.

 

TreasurerÕs Report: John Green reported that the recent special fundraising events had generated enough revenue to permit the Library both to pay back the funds borrowed from the endowment and to meet anticipated expenses for June.  Therefore, we expect to start the new fiscal year in the black.  Expenses continue to track according to budget projections.

 

Library DirectorÕs Report:   In addition to the written report she circulated, Amy Cady reported that a live wolf will visit the Library as part of this summerÕs ChildrenÕs Program.

 

The Annual Appeal currently stands at $52,103 given by 236 donors, almost at goal.  The second appeal generated $10,806; some lapsed donors made late gifts, and others made generous second gifts.  Amy briefly reviewed the prospects for government support from the State and the Town of Cornwall and suggested requesting a meeting with the Selectmen to keep them abreast of the LibraryÕs services and activities. 

 

Report of Personnel Committee [The Trustees briefly moved into executive session; the public meeting resumed with the budget discussion that follows.]

 

Approval of 2006-2007 Budget:  John Green noted a few changes from the preliminary budget presented at the May meeting: the repayment to the endowment is not shown, because it has not taken place yet; the Bibliomation subscription is $9,500, not $10,000; and the final budgets reflects salary increases for staff.

 

John emphasized the importance of special events to the LibraryÕs fiscal health.  If $22,000 net income can be raised, the Library can hope to finish FY07 in the black.  There was discussion of special event budget goals.  Upon motion by Jean Vitalis, seconded by Pam Jones, the 2006-2007 budget was approved.

 

Report on May Book Sale/Rare Book Auction:  Louise Dunn reported that there had been a good follow-up meeting to discuss the pluses and minuses of these events.  She plans to do it again and will work on getting good donated books.  Some books are still in the process of being sold, but she anticipates that the two events raised approximately $12,000: about $1,700 for the book sale and about $10,000 for the auction.


Report on CartoonFest:  In Paul De AngelisÕ absence, Amy Cady reported that everyone agreed that this event generated wonderful PR for the Library; many compliments came our way, and there was good feeling all around.  Preliminary results show proceeds of about $3,175 through ticket sales, cartoon sales, card sales, ads in the program and the silent auction. 

 

Report on Friends Activities

 

In Tom LevineÕs absence, Amy Cady reported the following plans:

 

 

Reports from Selected Committees/Task Force

 

Use of Space Task Force Report:  There was no formal report but a brief discussion of the LibraryÕs general ÒlookÓ and the first impression it gives to visitors walking into the front entrance.

 

Other Matters:

 

Dan Gracey is using the Library field to pasture his cows in exchange for snowplowing in winter and mowing (at a negotiated rate) during the summer.

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Julie Schieffelin

Secretary