Cornwall Library Association

Minutes of the October 14^th, 2005 Meeting

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

John called the meeting to order at 3 p.m. and welcomed new board members Carla Bigelow and Louise Dunn and Tom Levine, President of the Friends of the Library.

Minutes:  Jean proposed and Pam seconded a motion to approve the minutes from the September 19^th, 2005 meeting with the following corrections: Roxana Laughlin, not Hammond, heads the nominating committee.  The motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report:  John is tracking the budget until a treasurer can be found.  He reported that the annual appeal is at the same level as last year and that the electric bill is a little out of line as we have already spent 50% of what was budgeted.  The culprits are suspected to be the air conditioning and a very hot summer plus having to keep the computers on 24 hours a day. Dominique and John are exploring how Dominique’s Apple and the Library’s P.C. might be made compatible so that Dominique could become treasurer.  Carla moved and Pam seconded a motion to approve the treasurer’s report.  A copy of this report is attached and a part of these minutes.

Library Director’s Report:  Amy reported that the volunteers are doing so well with the book weeding that the office is filling up with books.  She also said that she accepted reams of paper from the Nash family, but not the old copying machines.  Paul proposed and Roxana seconded a motion to allow Louise and Amy to write a grant proposal to the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.  The vote was unanimous for the motion.  A copy of this report is attached and apart of these minutes.

Book Sale:  Louise and Tom reported that a total of $3,309.80 was made from the book sale (approximately $3,000 from books and $300 from the bake sale).  Louise is investigating selling books on e-bay.  They announced that there would be another book/bake sale on Memorial Day and Norma said she hoped that it wouldn’t intrude into the ceremony or the other events held after the ceremony.

Talent Show:  Jean and Tom met with Alexa Venturini at the Moose and announced that Robert Clohessy would M.C. the show that will be held November 25^th at the United Church of Christ from 7:30 p.m. to 9.  It will be more streamlined, with no kid acts according to Tom.  Tickets will cost $15 for adults and $6 for children.  Marc Simont will do the poster.

Friends Activities:  Tom reported that the Roxana Robinson reading was full of the usual people and he would like to reach out to different Cornwall groups.  Schedule of events is as following:

            10/26 “All the President’s Men

            10/29 Prose Jam

            12/TBA film screening

            Winter date TBA, readings by Francine du Plessix Gray

            March date TBA, garden panel hosted by Jane Garmey

            Music event, TBA

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by the Cornwall Town Hall Players – details and date being worked out

Report from Selected Committees:

Jean and Louise reporting for the Development Committee said that Louise would be selling books on e-bay and in auction houses.  Ann Schillinger has talked to several people who might donate books to the Library.  Jean also said that the long-range plan now has a committee and is ready to go.

Paul reported for the Publicity Committee and commented on the members of that committee and its subcommittees.  Brenda Underwood will continue to do the postings on the Library website until the first of the year, when Juergen Kalwa will take over.  The first newsletter was successfully launched, and the second will focus on the collection.  The cartoonist festival has 16/17 cartoonists who have agreed to participate, and Victoria Roberts will do a one-woman show.  The P.R. task force will meet in December.

Party for Friends: Roxana handled last minute details for the party.

Review of Committee Structure:  John handed out committee assignments.  A few suggestions were made, such as looking at the last revamping of the board to see what, if anything, was left out.  He discussed the role of the board and the role of the director.

A discussion was held about whether or not the board should send Christmas cards.  It was decided that sending a card for National Book Week would be a better idea.  A new card is needed for this kind of activity, and Tom will ask Ken MacLean to make one.

The meeting adjourned at 4:47 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by your temporary scribe,

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Norma Lake

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