CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by President Michele Martin. Also attending were Cynthia Daube, Ed Haskell, Phil Henoch, John Hunziker, Ann Larson, Jean Michaels, Veena Nayar, Joanne Swenson, Cecelia Szurszewski, and Dennis Wong.
Absent: Frank Iossi, Nancy Domaille, Ann Farnell, Paul Horgen, Leigh Johnson, Bill Jonason, Bill Kullback, and Dave Nelson.
Staff Present: Audrey Betcher, Acting Library Director; Judy Kereakos, Acting Assistant Library Director; and Kathy Olson, Administrative Assistant.
MINUTES
Ed Haskell moved, Phil Henoch second to approve the meeting minutes from April 26, 2000. Motion approved.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT
The Library Board is preparing to undertake an organizational study which was approved by the City Council. The study will commence shortly, with results by fall. We expect the study to indicate that either some reorganization is desirable or an appreciation that the organizational structure is satisfactory.
Ann Larson will replace Jeanne Parker as a Library Board representative.
FUNDRAISING
Veena Nayar, Fran Lee, and Michele have been working on drafting fundraising letters. These will be sent to new cardholders, Friends members, and former donors. The letters have been changed from previous years to direct the content more to the group being sent the letter. Also, the letters for Friends and donors will be personalized. Michele and Kathy met with Johnson Printing and they will do the mailing for the 5,000 new cardholders which will not be personalized; the 3,000 personalized letters for Friends and donors will be printed and mailed by library staff.
We created a letterhead with the logo from the information campaign to maintain the image already started. We also incorporated Peter Pearson's and Tim Burchill's comments into the letter. The letters also talk about the book a year endowment and planned giving.
Letters should go out the first week in June. The bill for printing will be around $1,800.
EVENT
Cynthia Daube reported that Bill McConahey is talking with Louis Rukyser about an event this summer while he is here at the Clinic. This will be an informal question and answer event. The date is dependent on Mr. Rukyser's Clinic appointments, so we do not yet have a firm date.
Norwest Bank is bringing in a speaker this summer, possibly Hamilton Jordan and is willing to work with the Foundation to schedule an event. This could possibly be presented as an event for the five year anniversary of the library's move to the current building.
ENDOWMENT OPPORTUNITY
The timing may be right for the Board to approach Mayo Clinic for a major endowment gift since the Art Center and Civic Theatre have approached the Clinic for major gifts. In terms of a downtown and cultural investment, it may be ideal timing.
If we do approach Mayo for a gift, we would provide a tour of the library and give a presentation on the points brought up in the information campaign, focusing mainly on materials and programming areas. We would plan on asking for $500,000 and proceed along the same lines as informational campaign but make it more specific and customized.
The Board offered several suggestions for the presentation. The Board needs to determine and articulate how the funds will be used, although needs may change over the years. At this time additional funding for materials is the number one priority, plus additional funding for programming. Perhaps a specific area for materials could be targeted such as young adult or foreign language.
Information should be included about how the community is changing and growing and the competing needs for tax dollars; mention that the community has a broad and shallow base of support rather than big money.
Also mention what else the foundation is doing such as the book a year endowment.
We will continue to work on a presentation. If anyone has additional input, call Michele Martin.
FOLLOW UP ON METANOIA AND PETER PEARSON PRESENTATIONS
Michele will follow up with Laurie Ward on the Metanoia proposal.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Jean Michaels
Secretary