Cornwall Library Association

Minutes of the September 19, 2005 Meeting

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

Vice-President Ann Schillinger called the meeting to order at 4:16 p.m.

Nominating Committee: Roxana Laughlin submitted a slate of officers for 2005-2006:

John Green, president

Ann Schillinger, vice-president

Julie Schieffelin, secretary

Treasurer: to be elected

There was a discussion of the responsibilities of the Treasurer, since it is likely that the Library will hire a part-time bookkeeper to do basic accounting. Helen Migliacci will continue to do payroll and write checks but does not wish to keep the books. Therefore, the primary responsibility of the Treasurer will be to sign checks, especially payroll and taxes. (Three board members are authorized to sign checks on the Library’s account.) John will discuss the position with interested trustees.

Upon motion by Norma Lake, seconded by Pam Jones, the report of the Nominating Committee was unanimously accepted.

Treasurer’s Report: John Green distributed a written report. He commented that although some Annual Fund checks have come in, the Library’s cash flow is tight. Trustees are urged to make their own contributions as soon as possible, given the next payroll deadline of September 30. (Payment is being deferred on some other bills.) Electrical charges are surprisingly high, and an audit of the electrical system is needed. Amy Cady noted that Bibliomation requires the Library to leave all the computers on overnight while database maintenance takes place. John does not yet know whether Region I has negotiated a fixed price for fuel oil for the coming winter.

Amy Cady reported that the Library needs to net $22,000 from a fall special event. Unfortunately, the one under discussion for the Friday after Thanksgiving appears to have fallen through for this year. The trustees and the Friends urgently need to meet jointly for a brainstorming session. If a Talent Show is produced this year, the likely net will be about $7,500, so a second event has to be found that can generate an additional $15-20,000 net. Paul De Angelis is still in discussion with potential contributors to a cartoonist event in June that would include a sale of works and a performance.

Minutes: Upon motion by Jean Vitalis, seconded by Ann Schillinger, the August minutes were accepted as presented.

Strategic Planning: Paul De Angelis distributed a revised Strategic Plan that combines both financial and publicity initiatives in a single document. Upon motion by Dominque Lasseur, seconded by Paul De Angelis, the mission statement included in the document was amended read as follows:

The Cornwall Free Library provides access to knowledge and the free exchange of ideas in a community-friendly environment.

Publicity: Paul reported that the Publicity Task Force met earlier in the day to begin work on four objectives:

1) creating a clearinghouse for Library information so that a newsletter can be developed and distributed electronically and in printed form by the 20^th of each month (Paul distributed a sample publication);

2) Developing the capability of responding quickly when publicity is needed, e.g., posters, news releases, etc; (He reported that volunteers have been identified to work on fund-raising materials.)

3) Updating the Library logo; and

4) Creating a public relations outreach task force.

Development: Jean Vitalis reported that individualized Annual Fund letters to higher level donors have been signed and mailed, and a Postal Patron mailing will go out tomorrow. Amy Cady added that $6,010 has been received from 20 donors to date.

Library Director’s Report: Amy Cady distributed a written report. She particularly called attention to item #2, avoiding Halloween vandalism this year, and #4, raising approximately $1,200 from extra-budgetary sources for certain improvements to the librarians’ office.

Old Business: After discussion, a new date for the monthly meeting was approved: the SECOND Friday of the month, at 3:00 pm. We will try this for a while. John hopes that it will be possible to schedule fewer meetings of the full board, especially if reports are circulated in writing, in advance.

New Business:

Amy Cady announced that Richard Bramley may be interested in doing a wine-tasting to benefit the Library, since Extras for Kids is not holding one this year.

Ann Schillinger announced that she is willing to donate a collection of antiquarian books to the Library, for sale or auction, that were collected by her mother. A dealer has valued them at about $2,400. The board accepted her offer with thanks; Dominique will help Ann research the best way of realizing the value of the collection, whether selling to a dealer directly, consigning them to an auction house or offering them on EBay. It may be possible to attract similar donations from other book-loving people.

Amy Cady announced that for $400 a year, the Library can subscribe to the Audio Circuit program of books on tape and DVD. The cost would be met by charging a user fee, as is now done for circuit videotapes. Upon motion by Roxana Laughlin, seconded by Paul De Angelis, the board approved the purchase of this resource.

Norma Lake urged that an opportunity soon be found to thank Janet Gold for her many contributions to the Library and to the Board of Trustees. After discussion, the Trustees decided to honor Janet, and thank the Friends of the Library, at a cocktail party at the Laughlins’ house on Friday, October 28.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Julie Schieffelin

Secretary

NEXT MEETING: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14 at 3:00 pm. Please note new day and time.