CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by President Sue Reinke. Also attending were Ken Brown, Jane Callahan, Chris Colby, Ed Haskell, John Hunziker, Mike McNeil, Dave Nelson, Mark Neville, Harry Swedlund, Joanne Swenson, Joyce Wenz, and Trevor Westrom.
MINUTES
Motion by Ed Haskell, seconded by John Hunziker, to approve the minutes from June 28, 2006, as submitted. Motion carried.
TREASURER'S REPORT
Kathy Olson reviewed the 2nd Quarter Treasurer's Report.
Motion by Ed Haskell, seconded by Mike McNeil, to approve the 2nd Quarter Treasurer's Report as submitted. Motion carried.
LIBRARY BOARD AND DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Audrey reported that there had been a vacant half-time Reference Librarian position which the City has approved changing to a full-time position. This position will be filled in the near future.
Staff has been working on updating the library's web page and that will be debuting this fall.
Staff and the Library Board have been working on the proposed 2007 budget.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Advocacy: has not met.
Finance: The committee met to begin discussions on Endowment Fund proceeds to be given to the library in 2007. No decision has been made at this point. Concern was raised about the procedures that have been followed and discussion is needed at the Library Board level as to whether the current procedures should be changed.
Development: The committee met last week to discuss an Opportunities for Support brochure, library tours with Audrey, and the annual fund drive.
In addition to the longer, more detailed document, the committee recommended a short tri-fold brochure that lists what types of sponsorship opportunities are available. Library tours are key to business sponsorships so Board members are asked to discuss tours with their business contacts. Once the initial contact has been made, give the information to Carrie and she will follow-up and schedule a tour. After the tour she will follow-up to determine interest in being a business sponsor and at that point would give out the brochure.
Board members should be thinking about colleagues and what they might be interested in partnering on. Those that have developed relationships in the past have been satisfied with the partnerships. Now is the time when local businesses are thinking about next year's charitable giving and marketing.
Kathy reviewed the fund drive proceeds to date. We have received almost $17,000 for materials, $2,100 for the Endowment Fund, and $3,000 in Book-A-Year endowments. We have received 82 donations from new donors for over $3,600. In addition, 49 donors in the database who have not given since 2003 have donated over $2,400. The new donations will more than cover the additional costs for mailing to all library cardholders, plus it is hoped they will continue to donate in the future.
Special Events: The first donor recognition event will be held September 21 and the committee is very excited about it. Table hosts are needed to make sure that everyone at the table is introduced, has everything they need, etc. The event will not be a pitch to get money but to thank donors. We are not sure how many people to expect since this is our first event of this nature.
Home Federal is generously underwriting the costs for the event.
Most of the speakers have been lined up for Wit, Wisdom & Wine 2007 which will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2007. The goal is to mail invitations immediately after Thanksgiving and do publicity in December.
OTHER ITEMS
Carrie reviewed the current funding priorities for the Foundation which include:
Staff would like to discuss adding a funding priority of "informing the public of library resources and making resources more accessible."
Audrey added that in 2005 the library completed a community survey, with partial funding provided by Endowment Fund proceeds. The survey found that people were not aware of some of the library's resources, including online databases. Obviously we have not been successful in getting the word out about the resources available at the library.
Chris suggested that the library identify underserved markets and how they might be served and then develop a strategy. The effort of asking for funding from businesses also opens up an opportunity to let businesses know what resources are available at the library.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 25, 2006, at 4:45 p.m. Committees will meet prior to that and report at the meeting. Board members should also send contact information to Carrie for Library Tours.
There being nor further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Swenson
Secretary