Cornwall Library
Association
Minutes of the November
18, 2005 Meeting as corrected (See material in italics at bottom of page)
Present: John Green, President, Carla Bigelow, Paul De Angelis,
Alec Frost, Pam Jones, Norma Lake, Julie Schieffelin and Jean Vitalis. Absent: Louise Dunn, Dominique Lasseur,
Roxana Laughlin and Ann Schillinger.
Also present: Amy Cady, Library Director, and Tom Levine, President of
the Friends of the Cornwall Library.
John called the meeting to order at 3:04 p.m. Upon motion by Carla Bigelow,
seconded by Paul de Angelis, the minutes of the October 14 meeting were
approved as presented.
TreasurerÕs Report: John distributed copies of the audited financial statements for
FY05 and the management letter.
(Note: trustees who are not
going to use their copy of the audit are encouraged to return it to Amy Cady
for use in preparing grant proposals and reports.) John briefly reviewed the audit, drawing particular
attention to the encouraging results of the LibraryÕs investments (p. 8). Upon motion by Paul de
Angelis, seconded by Norma Lake, the audited financial statements were
approved.
John then circulated a report of FY06 income and expenses to
date. The Annual Appeal has
brought in $22,531 from 120 donors so far (last year, $39,000 had been raised
as of Dec. 31). Expenses are on
track; the price of fuel oil, which is determined by the Region I agreement,
may be lower than we had feared. Upon
motion by Norma Lake, seconded by Paul de Angelis, the report was approved.
Library DirectorÕs Report: Amy Cady circulated a written report and
circulation figures for the first quarter of the current fiscal year. In addition to her written comments,
she reported that a funding request has been submitted to the State of
Connecticut. Dr. Fitz gave a very
successful talk on childrenÕs literature to an audience of about 20. The Reading Adventures group proved
particularly helpful for children who feel self-conscious about their reading ability. Amy asked for a trustee to participate
in the Berkshire-Taconic Community Foundation training program, and Jean
Vitalis volunteered. Amy noted
that there are discrepancies in the circulation statistics, which are compiled
by Bibliomation, presumably because of past problems with their computers. Amy plans to conduct another utilization
survey so that the trustees and staff will know who is using the library
when. This information will be
helpful if it becomes necessary to change the LibraryÕs hours.
Talent Show:
Jean Vitalis reported that about $4,500 has been raised so far. The participants have already had one
rehearsal, with a second scheduled.
CartoonFest: Paul De Angelis met with the participating
cartoonists to establish a structure for the event. The current plan is to open the exhibition/sale of cartoons
on May 30, the Tuesday following Memorial Day. The main activities will take place on June 3, the Saturday
following Memorial Day: one to two afternoon panels, a late afternoon
reception, and then a program in the UCC Village Meetinghouse with cartoonists
showing and discussing their work.
Books will be available for sale.
Library trustees will organize a brunch on Sunday the 4th.
Reports from Selected Committees:
Development Committee: Jean Vitalis announced
that the Committee will meet on Friday, December 9 at 2 pm, just before the
regular Trustees Meeting.
Public Relations: 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.
Use of Space Task Force: John
Green reminded the board that this task force was established as part of the
strategic planning exercise. He
announced that Carla Bigelow will head the task force; members include Ann
Schillinger and Roxana Laughlin. Alec
Frost agreed to join; Jane Giddens-Jones was suggested as an additional member.
Amy Buck will serve as staff
liaison.
Friends Activities:
Tom Levine joined the meeting at this time and gave a report. He discussed practical arrangements for
the Talent Show (lighting remains an issue) and described forthcoming events: a childrenÕs program will take place
around Christmas time, and a film about Iraq is coming. A cocktail party at the GarmeysÕhouse is
planned, though there will not be a gardenersÕ panel discussion because the Mad
Gardeners offer a similar program.
A reading by Francine du Plessix Gray will take place in February or
March, with a dinner to follow at the ScottsÕ house. Tom will meet with Frank McCourt to discuss a future reading. There will not be a Cornwall Players
benefit. Accordingly, the
Manhattan String Quartet will be approached for the spring benefit.
Establishment of Governance Committee: John Green suggested that a Governance Committee
be established to review the composition of the Board of Trustees and develop
profiles for the kinds of new trustees the board should be recruiting. It would supersede the Nominating
Committee. John commented that one
goal is to avoid a last-minute scramble to fill vacancies on the board. He emphasized that the committee
members would make recommendations to the Board about prospective new members
but not approach those persons; the Board will approve the recommendations
first. Norma Lake suggested that
board members begin by filling out forms describing themselves and their
skills; Amy Cady has such forms. Upon
motion by Norma Lake, seconded by Paul de Angelis, the establishment of a Board
Development Committee was approved.
Other Matters:
John Green read a note of thanks from Janet Gold.
Tom Levine commented that the Friends board is interested in
working with the Trustees on the matter of the Town of CornwallÕs support of
the LibraryÕs annual budget.
Amy Cady reported that David Rovics will give a Library
benefit concert at the Town Hall on Friday, December 30, at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $10 at the door.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at
4:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Schieffelin
Secretary