Cornwall Free Library
Minutes of the November 29, 2004 Meeting
As corrected (see material in italics)
Present: Janet Gold, presiding, Paul De Angelis,
Alec Frost, John Green, Pam Jones, Norma Lake, Roxana Laughlin, Julie
Schieffelin, Ann Schillinger, and Jean Vitalis. Absent: Dominique Lasseur. Amy Worthington-Cady, Library Director, was also present.
Janet Gold called the meeting
to order at 4:00 pm. Upon
motion by Norma Lake, seconded by Janet Gold, the October minutes were accepted
as presented.
TreasurerÕs Report: In addition to his written report, John
Green reported that the LibraryÕs finances should be OK through December, with
about $4,000 in hand and some $2,000 to be deposited. The Talent Show brought in between $5,000 and $6,000, about
$2,000 short of the budget goal.
The shortfall was evidently caused by a fall-off in the number of
sponsors for this yearÕs show; the 2003 and 2004 lists will be compared and
analyzed. There was a discussion
of mailing problems; John did not receive a patron letter, and Julie
Schieffelin has not yet received the Postal Patron letter with the second
appeal and newsletter. Amy Cady
distributed a graph showing Annual Fund results to date. Upon motion by Jean Vitalis,
seconded by Pam Jones, the report was unanimously accepted.
LibrarianÕs Report: In
addition to her written report, Amy Cady reported that the new T1 line is
working well. She described the
successful first meeting of the ÒCornwall Classics,Ó a group of older
residents. She will try to get
this new program mentioned in the Lakeville Journal. In
response to popular demand, the Library will resume evening hours starting
January 5, 2005. Volunteers have
come forward, including Ralph and Ann Gold, to staff those evenings. The two Amys will coordinate their own
hours to ensure coverage.
Volunteers have also helped integrate the mystery/sci-fi collection
(with a special ID on the spine) into the regular fiction collection; the main
reason is to draw readers to investigate the stacks. Amy Buck has designed a bookplate for the FriendsÕ new book
donation program. Amy Cady also
distributed a Circulation Report but noted that the figures are all but
meaningless given the Bibliomation processing troubles of the last two
months. Norma Lake asked a
question about acquisitions.
Organizational Chart: Janet Gold asked all committee chairs
to give her the names of their committee members so that a revised chart can be
circulated. She reminded the board
that non-trustees may serve on all committees.
Development Committee:
Two events were discussed: the thank-you party for Library patron-level donors at
John GreenÕs house on Saturday, December 11, and the Sam Waterston benefit, now
scheduled for Sunday, February 6, 2005, at 3 pm. Very few regrets have been received to date; trustees were
all reminded to bring hors dÕoeuvres and the plates and utensils to serve
them.
Jean Vitalis reported on the
progress of the Sam Waterston event. John Zinsser, Catherine Noren and Brian Thomas constitute the
selection committee for the program
of letters that Sam (and possibly Jill Clayburgh) will read, with a possible
garden-related theme. (Suggestions
to Jean and Roxana Laughlin.) The
location is the new gym at the Cornwall Consolidated School, and Catherine
Tatge and the other board members of the new Cornwall Consolidated School
Fund for Excellence will meet at Dr.
FitzÕs house on December 12 to plan.
Suggested regular ticket price is
$30 per person, a $60 ticket includes reserved seating and attendance at a
simple (tea, coffee, finger food) reception following the program. The board felt that the Cornwall School
representatives should take responsibility for soliciting sponsorships. The event needs a title and a ÒconceptÓ
that can used to generate publicity.
Invitations and posters will be ready in early January. There was an extended discussion of
appropriate publicity, including paid ads, to build an audience beyond Cornwall
residents and fill the gym (capacity: 600). Amy Cady has Prime Time and Music Mountain lists; Rinker
Buck may agree to interview Sam Waterston for the Hartford Courant. At
least a publicity photo and extended caption can be submitted to local
newspapers.
Old Business: Ann Schillinger reported that the two
leading candidates to lead the board in a strategic planning exercise will come
for two-hour interviews at 9:30 am (Michael Eanes) and 1:00 pm (Elizabeth
Maniero) on Saturday, January 15, 2005.
Board members are urged to attend.
One of the candidates recommended that Ann also recruit a broad
cross-section of the community (including a Town representative, a
representative of the Hughes Library, former board members, former Friends
board members, and a variety of residents, especially those who are angry at
the Library) to participate in the planning exercise. Norma
Lake commented that a similar exercise held by Region I helped promote bonding
among the groups involved. She
also urged that attendees represent particular constituencies (e.g., the Fire
Department), so that word of the LibraryÕs efforts will percolate through those
channels. The question remains:
where to find the $4,000-5,000 cost.
Janet noted that the Postal
Patron and newsletter have been well received. She also solicited suggestions for a thank-you gift to Lisa
Simont for her work as President of the Cornwall Library. The gift will be chosen by Janet and
Pam Jones and presented at the December 11 gathering.
Operations Report: Janet
Gold reported that the rear wall of the Library was pelted with eggs, paper and
toilet paper on Halloween (as was Town Hall) and had to be washed down This vandalism underscores the need for
additional exterior lighting.
Janet asked Alec Frost to look into motion-detector lights to be placed
at the corners of the building.
People also commented on the need for adequate exterior lighting during
the winter months.
There being no further
business, the meeting adjourned at 5:20.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie Schieffelin, Secretary
NEXT MEETING: MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, at 4:00 pm