Cornwall Library Association

Minutes of the October 13, 2006 Meeting

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

Louise called the meeting to order at 3:00.

Approval of Minutes Upon motion by Paul DeAngelis, seconded by John Green, the minutes of the Sept 8, 2006 meeting were accepted as presented.

Treasurer’s Report: John Green distributed a report and commented that expenses were on track. Electricity costs were still high, but should go lower after the summer when we do not run the air conditioning. We have received $17,000 from our annual appeal to date and made $2,400 from the Columbus Day book sale. We also received a gift of $4,000.00 from the Rose Algrant Art Show. John moved, seconded by Paul DeAngelis, that we move $2,000 of the $4,000 to the endowment fund. The motion was approved. John also moved, seconded by Paul DeAngelis, that all unspecified bequests left to the library go into the endowment fund. This new policy was unanimously approved.

The audit went well, and we should have the report in the next few weeks.

We also have a new bookkeeper, Lisa Greene, who has 20 years of experience. She will work 3-4 hours a week in the Library, and her fee will be covered by the budget.

Library Director's Report Amy Cady reviewed the written report she had previously circulated..

Discussion Items

• 2005-2006 Accomplishments:

• PR-revised and expanded web site, monthly newsletter, survey
• Space Committee-architectural plans for office, front area of library
• Technology update-new computers, Wi-Fi
• Ending the year in the black

• 2006-2007 Proposed Goals

• Increase Library endowment by $35,000
• Develop for Board approval policies on computer usage, confidentiality of records, etc.
• Review, revise and develop risk management strategies to reduce liability for library and board of directors
• Determine if and how to preserve collection of Cornwall authors' books
• Develop for Board approval long term maintenance plan.

Ann Schillinger made a motion, seconded by John Green, to accept these goals.

Action Items: Required Policies:

• Document Retention and Destruction Policy
• Employee Protection Policy
• Conflict of Interest Policy

Roxana Laughlin, seconded by Carla Bigelow, moved to accept the new policies. The vote was unanimous.

The Cornwall Historical Society has stored and cared for about 140 WW I and WW II posters which were given to the town. There was a decision to sell and give the proceeds equally to the Library and The Historical Society. Some of the posters are quite valuable and will be appraised. We have chosen four of them to keep for the library.

Reports

Development Committee: A large portion came from donors through the Annual Appeal and some from the Columbus Day book sale. We will raise more with the upcoming Talent Show, and sponsor letters will be sent out soon.

PR Task Force: We need to put posters out for the Talent Show and will advertise in various newspapers. Also the Questionnaires for the survey were mailed and are available on the website. The new officers on the Board will be listed in the next Newsletter. Also we will have a table set up for the UCC Church Christmas Fair and sell note cards, etc.

Use of Space Task Force: Carla Bigelow reported that Will Calhoun has agreed to build a showcase for the front foyer and will do some drawings before we need to make any decisions.

Other Business

One of the windows needs replacing, as there is a hole in it, maybe from a BB gun. Also we would like to have the Library open for Halloween to welcome the Trick-or-Treaters. We need a few volunteers to be there.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:15 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Pam Jones

Secretary