FRIENDS OF THE CRYSTAL LAKE LIBRARY
July 20, 2009 MINUTES
Present: Elizabeth Puchmelter, Nancy Dlugosz, Fran Hicks, Ranee Strawn, Karen Migaldi, Ann Wells, Bob Finger and Barb Mullowney
The June minutes were approved and corrected.
President's Report: There wasn't a President's report as Jan was unable to attend. Ann took over in her absence.
Treasurer's Report: Beginning balance $5833.60 as of June 30, Income: Tote Bag Sales $0.00, Membership Dues $371.40, Donations $25.00, Market Day $252.28, Expenses: Scholastic Book Sale $200.00 plus $1,152.08 which was not included on Treasurer's Report handout. Ending Balance $3683.64. Anne will be looking into whether or not FOCLL has ever been issued a Tax ID number. Karen said we could use the Library's Tax ID number for the Mum Sale in September if Ann could not locate or obtain one before the sale.
Committee Reports-
Membership: There are currently 33 FOCLL members. It was suggested that more Crystal Lake business's should be recruited as members as have in the past.
Fundraising-
July 18th's Market Day made a profit of $341.08 with 50 orders (41 online and 9 work orders and 15 which were prepaid) being placed. Since 2003 FOCLL has made $5916.68 from Market Day sales. Next Market Day is August 8th and volunteers helping out should be here at 8:15. Market Day's order due date is advertised on the Crystal Lake Library's sign. Customers get automated reminder calls and/or email messages for ordering and picking up.
The Scholastic Book Fair held June 22nd and June 23rd made a profit of $704.41 but because it did not net $1800, only the Youth Department in the Library will receive $700 in scholastic books. As a whole 20 hours were invested in the Book Fair and it was discussed if maybe we should consider it worthwhile to hold it again next year. A vote on having the Scholastic Book Fair will be tabled until next month's meeting when Beth compiles a history of what was earned in the past.
New ideas for future fundraising projects-
Anne mentioned that the Huntley Library's Friends had a golf fundraiser and that we could possibly have a Miniature Golf fundraiser instead offering a family package with food and golf. The Crystal Lake Park District has two courses and Ann will contact Don Peters who is on the Crystal Lake Board of Trustees to find out more information. It was mentioned that the CLPD already gives out free passes for miniature golf when you sign up for the summer reading program.
Nancy mentioned that Culvers' has a fundraising program where volunteers serve food and receive a certain percentage for the time they serve. She mentioned that publicity was key to getting the word out for a successful fundraiser. Beth is going to call Colonials about any fundraisers and Ranee will call Chilis for their Shop and Share program. Borders' offers a gift wrapping program close to Christmas time where paper and tape are provided and gift wrappers are tipped for their services. It was suggested that our group provide bows and gift tags to complete the gift wrapping. Nancy will call to find out more information. Nancy also mentioned that Market Day also offers "Gourmet" lines of products that could also be a possible future fundraiser. Nancy learned about a fundraiser while she was at the ALA convention that Barnes and Noble offers where volunteers pass out coupons in the store and receive 20% of the sales from coupons redeemed.
Library Director's Report: Karen reported that the Summer Reading Program is still in progress. An ostrich was part of "Read on the Wild Side" reading program visiting the Library as was a skate boarding demonstration in the parking lot. Karen attended the ALA (American Library Association) 2009 Conference in Chicago July 9th through July 14th in which 29,000 people attended. She also went to a general Fundraising workshop.
Old Business-
Nancy contacted Countryside Flowershop to confirm September 19th as our date of the Mum Sale. The mums will cost the same as last year- $4.25 each and we will sell them again at last year's price of $10 each or 3 for $25. We will get our temporary use permit from the City of Crystal Lake for our Mum Sale in the mean time. Time of the sale will be 10am -2 pm and if we set up and are ready to go before 10:00 we will start selling then. Nancy will make the signs that went into to each mum plant, like last year thanking people for their support of FOCLL. Nancy will also contact CLPD about having our sale advertised on their sign. Karen will check to see if we can post signs about the sale on Library property. Barb will do the bookmarks; contact the Northwest Herald and the Public Access Channel concerning the sale. We will have $100 for start up money.
Jeremy compiled data on FOCLL website hits which stated that 2945 views have been made since its' inception approximately 18 months ago. Jeremy also contacted Yahoo about transferring the website to FOCLL's name and not his, as it is at this time. He also has paid for the next couple of months but is not locking to be reimbursed. A motion was made and seconded to keep the website. Bob who does the website would like feedback on what we want to have on our website regarding content and design. It was suggested that we go to other friends' websites to get ideas. The calendar should not be posted too far in advance.
We decided that we need to rethink about how we collect books for the Used Book Sale. Two tentative dates were set for next years' book sale- April 17th and 18th and April 24th and 25th. It was suggested that we could get the dates out next year at the Crystal Lake Expo. Two possible collection sites were discussed. The first being an empty storefront and Nancy said that Maggie Sprenger might know someone who would be able to provide one. The other possibly a rental space in which Beth will contact the Chamber of Commerce about. Collections dates were suggested for the end of January and every three weeks afterward.
On whether or not we should have a monthly FOCLL meeting every month from now on until the end of the year, it was decided that we should except for December. Actual dates of meetings will be posted.
It was discussed about possibly advertising future FOCLL events on the Lions//Chamber of Commerce marquee. Cost is $80 per advertisement but this time we do not know how long it will be displayed.
There wasn't a lot of interest concerning our group being on Facebook at this time.
Meeting was adjourned at around 8:30.
Respectfully,
Barb Mullowney, Recording Secretary