FRIENDS OF THE CORTE MADERA LIBRARY

Minutes of March 13, 2002 Meeting

 

A.     Meeting was called to order by President Shaw at 10:05 a.m. at the library.  In attendance, Jan Shaw, Annette Schriebman, Nancy Davis, Jerri Ceschi, Marguerite Gilbert, and Nancy Brooks.

 

  1. No introductions were necessary.

 

  1. The minutes of the February 13, 2002 meeting were accepted as presented.

 

  1. A “Booth at the July 4th celebration” was added to the agenda. 

 

B.  Reports/Updates: 

 

1.      Treasurer Jerri Ceschi reported 5 renewals in February ($195.00), garden donation ($1,000); expense of $47.50 for the County portion of memberships.  Jerri enumerated our restricted funds which total $34,693.33.  Our working capital is $1,900.57 as of 2/28/02. Our garden funds in hand are $53,908.49.  Jerri also presented a corrected January Treasurer’s report.  The Treasurer’s books were turned over to Jan Shaw temporarily while Jerri has medical treatment.

 

2.      Membership:  Leo Donovan was not in attendance.  Jerri presented an updated membership list with 109 members.

 

3.      Other Friends Groups:

a.         Marin City 5th Anniversary Event – Jan attended this event and was very impressed by the quality of staff-provided entertainment and the enthusiasm of the group.

 

b.         Strategic Planning Committee – Jan was unable to attend this meeting but she had a list of goals which include the new parking lot which will be part of the 2002-03 budget and fire sprinklers to be installed above the book drop.  The carpet needs to be replaced but probably will have to wait until 2004-05 budget.

 

c.         Foundation  -  Kay Lowney was not in attendance to give us a report.

             

            d.         County Friends - Nancy Brooks reported on the March meeting of the County Friends.  She also reported that she was part of the Nominating Committee for the County Friends which met last week.  Barbara Madrid will become President and Dick Draper has agreed to be Vice-President.  Rex Wolfe has declined to continue as Newsletter Editor; Patricia Hess has agreed to take his place.  A few other positions need to be filled.

 

e.         Newsletters – Jan circulated newsletters from Mill Valley and Novato Friends as examples of effective letters.

 

4.   Used Book Store

a.                   Sue Bigall not in attendance; Jan felt that our Thursday sales day had been good.

b.                  All slots are covered for our participation in the Super Book Sale. Ruth Arnold was pleased that all affiliates filled their assignments in a timely manner.  Reminder cards were sent by the affiliates to their volunteers.  If we do the 4th of July booth, we don’t want leftover paperback books from the Super Sale.

 

5.   Branch Activities:  Nancy Davis reported: (1) a program to monitor usage of the computers, “creative reservations”, is in place in Corte Madera; users are getting instructions.  The system maximizes the use of the computers and eliminates staff monitoring. (2) The young adult paperback bookrack is installed. (3) May is National Cartoon Month; in celebration, the Young Adult Summer Reading Program will be kicked off with a guest cartoonist sponsored by us.  (4) Nancy D. and others will be attending the Public Library Association conference in Phoenix this week.  (5)  AARP volunteers are providing tax preparation help on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the library.

 

C.     On-going Projects &/or 2002 Plans -  

 

1.      Friends Reading Garden – Annette reiterated that the lowest bid was $98,000.  Since we don’t have that amount plus 15% for contingencies, the Garden Committee met with JC Miller to look at ways to cut the expenses.  For purposes of bidding, the benches were removed, the cost of demolition was deleted, and the amount of lighting was reduced.  Also, the fence design will be changed. Instead of moving the light standard, the bulkhead will be designed around the light, saving a $6,000 moving cost.  The Committee has researched purchasing the benches elsewhere and the demolition may be done privately.  The County has agreed to cover the cost of converting the door to a window ($1,200).  We have received another $5,000 from the Corte Madera Beautification Committee; $7,000 is promised from the Marin Community Foundation.  The Corte Madera Foundation has pledged $5,000 only if we need it.  Hope to go to bid at end of March; allowing 5 weeks brings us to the middle of May for starting the garden.

 

2.      A brief discussion was held regarding the need for active members.  Marguerite has again volunteered to call new members to provide a personal contact and determine how these people want to be involved

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D.     Other Business:  Discussion regarding the booth at the Park on the 4th of July was put on hold until we have more members present.  Some  key members will not be in town on that date.

 

E.   The meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m.  The next meeting will be on April 10, 2002 at 10 a.m. in the Library

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Nancy Brooks, Secretary

 

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