Please note: forwarded message attached

Hi Gayle,

Here's the edited, updated version of your minutes, including my report. Please let me know if you have any questions,

Cheryl

FRIENDS OF THE OLYMPIA LIBRARY

JANUARY 20. 2009

PRESENT: Gayle Newsom, Eve Johnson, Mary Flannery, MariJo Loftis, Mary Applen,

Jean Finely, Beth Dubey, Mary Belz, Cheryl Heywood, Michael Crose, Winnifred Olsen,

Emmett O!Connell, Wanda Hedrick, Mary Campbell, Irene Osborn, Elaine Nelson, Patti

Paul.

The meeting was called to order at 12:00 by President Mary Belz. Mary introduced

Michael Crose, Manager of Administrative Services for Timberland Regional Library.

TRL Library Levy Lid Lift - update

       Mr. Crose explained the Levy Lid Lift on the current ballot for an increase in taxing ability of Timberland Regional Library. He quelled many of the misconceptions and false information that has been circulating in the multi-county area. Mr. Crose explained in a succinct  fashion what the Library Lid Lift will do, where the money will be allocated and how the Timberland Regional Library Board will be accountable for the expenditures. Under current property tax authority the library system is allowed to tax voters 32.9 cents or $32.90 per year for a $100,000 home. The Library Board is asking voters to restore the library levy rate on property taxes to 50 cents per thousand dollars of assessed property value to maintain current library services. Tough economic times have made this a difficult decision, however, the Board will not raise the levy the full amount requested, rather it is looking at a much smaller increment.  " Why now? " is the most frequently asked question. 1. Due to a recent law that limits the library to a 1% annual increase in property taxes combined with a steep decline in new construction and timber harvests, there is a gap between available revenue and TRL's operating expenses . 2. As well, TRL is not keeping up with inflation. 3. The Board has cut expenditures but not enough, e.g. closed on Sundays, decreased book and audio-visual budgets, implemented a hiring freeze, and reduced the substitute budget.  "Why February?" has also been asked. 1. This will be early in the year, if this measure fails the Board will have another opportunity at a ballot measure in the fall. 2. The Board and library administrators will have time to work with the public regarding reducing services staffing levels, open hours and possibly the closure of some libraries. 3. In Thurston County, we are not sharing the ballot with another tax increase request. The entire cost of the ballot measure in all 5 counties is $400,000.

The minutes for December were approved.

Treasurer's Report

       Beth Dubey expressed concern that we had not approved all

expenditures. A rereading of her notes showed that we had. Her current report was

approved.

Book Sale Report

        All Library Book Sale Events are now on our web site calendar. Flyers announcing the Book Sale on February 14th and 15th were printed and we were asked to take some and distribute.

Membership Report

        Irene Osborn led a discussion of paying for Friends of the Library

dues. She proposed that an individual could pay for up to five years in advance which

would be $25.00. A new form will be designed to show: 1. the number of years paid for.

2. make clear an additional donation other than dues that had been paid. We will have the receipt printed on bright green paper. If an individual donates $50.00 or more they will receive a thank-you from Beth. Mary Belz will write a description of our activities and

expenditures of donation money.

Communication Report

       Describing the recent newsletter from Friends of the Library, Emmett explained that this is his first effort. Next time he has plans to use more photographs and illustrations, and he will date it. The current letter has an explanation of the TRL Levy Lid Lift, which will also be placed on the Friends' website. New members of his committee will work with him on the next issue.  

       Emmett will update everyone regarding web site tutorials. These tutorials will include: Mission Statement, By-Laws, Reports, and chatting with other members of Olympia Friends @googlegroups.com. Emmett requested our email address if we are having trouble with the new web site and he will guide us through to communication. We will update our website soon.

Outreach Report

       MariJo Loftis reported that our Grand ReOpening was wonderful. We ran out of food because we were so popular, the turnout was fantastic. We had prepared for 250 people but we far exceeded that estimate. Everyone was thanked that helped and attended. The Outreach Committee will try to have at least one member at every library program. Puppets Please was the program discussed. This is a wonderful and fun program that was very well attended. The Outreach Committee hopes that the library staff will let them know when a member will be welcome. Other programs Outreach members would like to attend are Author Nights. Will the staff send us an invitation if we are welcome? We need an invitation to events that are not open to the general public especially Youth Services Programs. Knitting Club (another of the library programs) made twelve scarves for Special Olympics.

Library Manager's Report

       Cheryl Heywood reported on the Grand Reopening Gala. A

complete success in the community. Well attended by patrons and community and state

officials.

Service Story:

Thank you for our informative and very useful computer classes every Friday.  Because of your patience and one-on-one help, I am feeling much less anxious about my computer skills.  Now when I come to the library, I will log on to the computer as well as check out books and CDs.  The library has been such an important part of my entire life and now there is one more reason to enjoy my weekly visits.  Thank you.  Have a nice weekend.

Olympia News:

*       Cheryl, Executive Director Jodi Reng and TRL Board of Trustee, Dick Nichols spoke on Dick Pust's KGY radio show January 6 about the library levy lid lift. Cheryl spoke to the Olympia Microcomputer Users' Group and to 70 teachers at the Retired Teachers group at Panorama City about library services, the remodel and the library levy lid lift.
*       Cheryl and Jodi spoke to the Olympia City Council on January 13 about the library levy lid lift. City Council members will discuss whether or not they will support the resolution on January 20. Cheryl and Mike Crose, TRL's Administrative Manager will be attending the Council meeting to answer questions.
*       Mimi Williamson will be donating two copies of her artwork, "Ya Otter Read," to the Friends of the Olympia Timberland Library. Mimi is giving the Friends access to using the prints on items to sell, that is she is giving up copyrights to both prints. Cheryl will bring one of the copies to the meeting, since the other will be bolted to a column wall.

Timberland News:

*       Timberland Regional Library's Winter 2009 newsletter is now available in print and online, the first article outlines the Library's Levy Lid Lift, February 3, 2009.

Requests:

1.      Dr. Seuss' birthday - March 2 - special storytime - in honor of celebrating Dr. Seuss and for Good Reads for  Frosty Day - purchase tickets for Black Hill's High School production of  "Seussical the Musical"  - $5 for children under 12, $8 for adults. Performances are at the end of February and beginning of March with an afternoon performance on March 7.  Suggestion - 20 adult tickets and 20 children tickets -                                                                                        $260
2.      3rd Annual Page and Aide appreciation - As in past years, we would like to request twelve $20  gift cards for the Pages and Aides. We would distribute them during staff appreciation week in February.                                                                                                                           $240
3.      Comerford Dancers                                                                                          $150
4.      Book gift certificates (2) @ 15.00 each Fireside books : Good Reads for a Frosty day/ Read Loud Month                                                                                                              $30
5.      Stickers for giveaways at the YS desk:                                                                  $30

6.   Comic book subscriptions: Danger Room Comics                      (yearly/approx.)             $200    

1.          Astonishing X-Men ($23.40/12 issues)

2.          Detective Comics (Batman) ($29.95/12 issues)

3.          Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2.99/issue)

4.          The Simpsons (2.99 issue)

5.          Ultimate Spider-Man ($27/12 issues)

7.      2009-2010 Yearbooks                                                                                        $120
8.      Guessing Jar materials                                                                                          $25
9.      3 three-tiered rack to hold 9 gallon water bottles in staffroom (a spacesaver)                                                                                                                                                                      $120/plus tax

Photo Album of the library remodel. Cheryl has taken photos and illustrated the library

remodel in chronological order. This has been formatted into an album that can be looked at in the library.

MiMi Williams has donated a painting to the library. A graphic representation of our

Olympia Branch with the sculpture of otters in the background, titled, "You Otter Read," this art work is copyright free. The possibilities for merchandise tie-ins are unlimited. The Friends of the Library could have mugs, T Shirts, bags made for sale as part of our program.

This will offer us an opportunity for a "brand" that will identify us to the public.

See attached complete report from Cheryl.

Old Business

       The Book Sale Committee will meet this Friday at 9:00 a.m. in the library. All are welcome. In attendance will be Mary Belz, Irene Osborn and Cheryl Heywood. Communication Committee Meeting will meet at Cutters Point coffee  on January 30th at 8:oo a.m. In attendance will be Mary Belz, Emmett O'Connell and Cheryl Heywood. All are welcome.

New Business

       Next month there will be a format for reports to make them uniform and

easier to read.

The next Book Sale will be the second weekend in February: February 14th and 15th

2009.

A photograph of the new adult book display by J.T. Scott was shared with the group.

Meeting was adjourned to 1:05.

________________________________

From: gaw...@juno.com [mailto:gaw...@juno.com]
Sent: Wed 1/28/2009 12:07 AM
To: mary.b...@yahoo.com; Cheryl Heywood
Subject: FOL 1/09 minutes, 2p.

____________________________________________________________
See the Internet how it was meant to be seen with Cable Internet. Click Here.
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/PnY6rw1ZvcJFLuUUMRAtHHNi0...

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY January 2009 Meeting Minutes.doc 41K Download