FRIENDS OF THE CRYSTAL LAKE LIBRARY
November 16, 2009 MINUTES
Present: Jan Polep, Karen Migaldi , Robert Finger, Elaine Falzone, Elizabeth Puchmelter Ranee Strawn, and Barb Mullowney
President Jan Polep called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
President's Report: Jan reported that she has received a letter from the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce along with a metal plate stating that FOCLL is a member of the Chamber for 2009-2010 year. Beth has the Chamber of Commerce plaque at her home and said that she will affix the 2009-2010 metal plate to it. Jan passed around a sample of Debit/Credit Card Procedures as well a Consent and Release form for pictures to be used on our website. These will be talked about at our next meeting.
Treasurer's Report: In Ann's absence Jan went over the treasurer's report, Beginning Balance as of 1 May 09 $5833.60, Income: Interest $1.56, Expenses: Dues & Fees $137.00, Library $1500, Ending Balance: $2067.02 There was an error noted on both the Income/Expenses Year to Date for the Scholastic Book Sale which be corrected at the next meeting.
Tax Exempt number update: Ann called the Secretary of State's office and found out that the delay of obtaining the tax exempt number was due to the fact that FOCLL already has one that exists but it is the same number as the old Crystal Lake Library Foundation's one.
Committee Reports:
Membership Report: No report due to Ann not being present.
Fundraising:
2010 Used Book Sale - update: Maggie, Ann, Beth and Jan met with Ranee on November 13th and discussed that Mr. Eiler (sp?) who is in charge of letting us use an empty store front for our sale, needs us to wait to see which stores will be available right before the first collection date. We will announce in the Beacon to look for a sign in an empty store front at the Crystal Lake Plaza as to where the collection drop off/sale will be held. Karen cancelled our use of the Ames Room on April 17th and 18th for the book sale. Drop off dates for collection of books will be January 23rd, February 13th and 27th, March 13th and April 10th from 9am to 1 pm with tentative add on dates for March. It was suggested that members start saving boxes for the sale. Beth and Ranee will make signs about collection dates and one will be posted on the library bulletin board after Christmas. Jan asked if we could have the older "Sale" books (located at the bottom of the stairs of the library) for the used book sale. As for dispersal of unsold children's books after the sale, Elaine knows Mel Keenan who will pick up all the children's books after the sale to be sent to the country of Zambia for an organization called A to Z Literacy www.atozliteracy.org/DonateBooks2.html.
Ranee will look into renting tables for the book sale from someone she knows who rents them at a very reasonable rate. Jan suggested bringing lawn chairs for when we sit and sort the books after they are collected.
Culver's update - Nancy informed Jan that she picked up the donation jars at Culver's on November 16th and that the manager will be cutting FOCLL a check for our fundraiser. Nancy has written a summary regarding the event.
Chili's update - on hold pending receipt of tax exempt number.
T-shirts/hats - Jeremy was not present at the meeting to give an update.
Colonial update - is on hold pending Chili's contract. Beth reiterated the particulars of the fundraiser. The events are held on Tuesdays from 4:30 to closing, customers need to mention the FOCLL fundraiser when paying their bill , we will receive either 10, 15 or 20% of the money made during the said above time period (depending on sales) and that we are responsible for advertising the event. Beth said that the date of March 11, 2010 is available at this time.
Applebee's only does fundraising events for individuals, not groups like us.
Barnes and Noble - Jan passed around a sign up sheet for the gift wrapping event which will be held on December 19th, time slots were in one hour increments from 9am to 10pm.
Fannie May - Elaine looked into the cost of candy bars from Fannie May which could be sold at the Used Book Sale. Cost per bar is $0.50 and we could sell them for $1.00. If 1,000 bars are ordered shipping is free but if the order is less than that shipping is $19.25. We voted on ordering 2 cases (288 candy bars) and paying the $19.95 for shipping and all were in favor. A local chocolatier was contacted as another option to Fannie May but did not get back to Elaine. Jan suggested making labels for the candy bars to advertise FOCLL.
Publicity:
Elaine contacted Gail McDonald of the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce to have our Barnes and Noble event put on their online members calendar's events. Elaine will contact Gail to have future FOCLL events put on the calendar.
The focus of the Jan/Feb Beacon newsletter will be on our Used Book Sale and getting a membership form online for our website.
Library Report:
Karen asked us as a group if we would like to recognized as a group at a Library Board meeting or at the Library's Volunteer Recognition event held in April. No decision was made and will be discussed at a future meeting. Karen informed us that during the 2008-2009 year period- 11,000 people became new members of the library and as of September 30th 5,200 more people became patrons of the library. The $1500 that FOCLL gave the library for new card holders will cover about a 6 month period. Karen asked us as a group if the use of Ôgreen bags' instead of plastic bags for the summer reading program would hurt our sales of our ÔFriends' book bags and we felt it would not.
Crystal Lake Library Board Report: In board member Alice Fellers absence, Jan informed us that Diana Kenny would be giving a presentation on Crystal Lake history November 22nd at 1:30 at the library.
Old Business:
In regards to improving the FOCLL website, Bob said he was thinking of making the website interactive.
After we obtain our FOCLL debit/credit card only the president, who is Jan at this time or the treasurer, who is Ann will be able to use it.
Bob Cairone who suggested at the last meeting to sponsor a writing contest was not present at this month's meeting. Jan suggested either the "Read, Write & Win" format which has been used in former writing contests held at the library or the rubric which is an analytic system of scoring written entries. The contest was tabled at this time.
New Business:
Jan informed us of an event that the Northern Suburban Library System held which is a team spelling bee. Teams consist of three members of a certain organization and teams are rotated.
The next meeting is scheduled for January 18th at 7:00 p.m. in the Library's Ames Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Barb Mullowney, Recording Secretary