FRIENDS OF THE CRYSTAL LAKE LIBRARY
October 28, 2009 MINUTES
Present: Jan Polep, Karen Migaldi, Ann Wells, Alice Fellers, Elizabeth Puchmelter, Bob Finger, Nancy Dlugosz, Renee Strawn, Bob Cairone and Elaine Falzone.
President Jan Polep called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Secretary's Report: The February Minutes were approved as corrected.
Treasurer's Report: Beginning Balance: $2,608.06, Income: $1,700, Expenditures: Mum Sale: $585.00, Web Site: $35.00; Ending Balance: $3,707.46.
President's Report: Jan spoke with the Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce and reported that our annual fee will be $137.00. There is also an option to pay $10.00 per month for listing FOCLL on the Chamber's website. Elaine will check into this.
Jan reported on the Regional Friends of the Library meeting that she attended. For book sales, the usual fund raisers for Friends groups, attendees reported that some ban dealers with scanners and some don't, some have preview night for dealers, Friends members, and home-schoolers for a fee of $5.00. Some groups make preview night just for the Friends and everyone else has to become a member of the Friends to enter. Checking donated books ahead of the book sale on Amazon and then selling on line is done by several Friends groups. Silent auctions, a "better book" table, collection of addresses for book sales, offering discount coupons at the Sale for the next Book Sale, handing out info to parade attendees, inviting not-for-profits after a Book Sales and donating VHS tapes to VA hospitals, audio cassettes to the Lighthouse for the Blind, books to Little City and left-over materials to Red Carpet Books, Northwest Illinois' largest book removal company were methods suggested by several attendees were recommended. Boutiques and holiday sales were also suggested as fundraisers for Friends groups. Jan said the most spectacular recommendation for fund raising came from the Huntley Friends who generate $10,000 annually by having marketing surveys filled out on a volunteer basis for a marketing firm.
Jan noted that FOCLL had been presented with a resolution of appreciation for their assistance to the Library by the Library Board on October 21. Among those in attendance was past FOCLL officer, Barbara Tade who now resides in California.
Committee Reports:
Membership: Ann received 4 or 5 responses to our recent mailing of the Friends newsletter that tested the validity of member information. She also reported that resolution of FOCLL's Certificate of Insurance issuance should be accomplished soon.
Fundraising: Nancy advised that Friends are invited to participate in fundraisers at Culver's (waiting tables) on November 11th, gift wrapping at Barnes' & Noble on December 19th . Nancy will send emails on these events to Friends members. Coupons for the next Jewel Shop and Share Days on November 16-18th and on December 14-16th will be available on line at the FOCLL website and at check out at the Library. Thanks for the FOCLL members who assisted at the mum sale were delivered by NancyÑthe Friends sold 130 mum plants in two and a half hours!
Fundraisers at Chili's and Colonial Cafe are on hold pending receipt of the Tax Exempt Certificate.
Elizabeth reported that Youth Librarian, Jessie Exum, will be selecting materials at Scholastic Book's warehouse with the $704.00 profit from the recent FOCLL Scholastic Book Fair.
Library Report: Karen presented the latest Library Needs List for Library cardholders for new patrons and those patrons needing replacements for worn holders. The $1,500.00 expenditure was approved by the Friends in attendance. She recommended that floated the idea of green bags instead of plastic bags are being considered for the next Summer Reading Program which FOCLL helps subsidize.
Library Board Report: Alice reported that the Library Board's PR Committee will be meeting next Wednesday to address wording connected with the City's proposal to shift Library employee payroll & retirement expenses to the Library levy. For several years, the City has stated that at some point responsibility for IMRF (retirement) and payroll taxes for Library staff would need to be shifted , on the property tax bills, from the City's levy to the Library's levy. Recently, the City approached the Library Board about making the shift this next year (2010 tax bill). At this time, plans are to make the shift next year (2011 tax bill).
Old Business: Bob Finger reported dates for future meetings will be posted on the site. Expense for the site needs to be transferred from past president, Jeremy Stamp to FOCLL.
New Business: Bob Cairone suggested sponsoring a writing contest open to the public for an entrance fee with him donating $200.00 in prize money, to be awarded to the winner. After discussion, Bob offered to work out more details about such a Contest.
The next meeting is scheduled for November 16th at 7:00 p.m. in the Library's Ames Room.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elizabeth Puchmelter
For Barbara Mullowney, Recording Secretary