Friends of the Alameda Free Library

Minutes of Meeting, September 19, 2005

Vice President Richard Kolberg called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm in room 360 of City Hall. Other members in attendance were Kate Quick, Li Volin, Donna Vaughn, Jo Winzenread, Karin Lundstrom, Liz Rogers, Archie Waterbury, Jordona Elderts, Shelley Reed, Gertrude Woods, Peter Woods, Marilyn Ng, John Quick, Marc Lambert, Jane Chisaki, Richard Kolberg, and Chris Christopher.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

Copies of the minutes of the June meeting were distributed and approved.

Treasurer's Report

John Quick (Treasurer) presented the financial report for January through September 2005. A copy of the complete report is attached to these minutes. Our total net worth was reported to be $214,752.51. John reported that revenue from renewals and donations are good. Proceeds from the June sale of donated book were extremely good.

Membership Report

Peter Woods (Membership Chair) reported that memberships paid through at least 2005 total 245. There was a general discussion of the possibility of developing a card-sized membership form to be made available at the library along with an addressed envelope. Jane Chisaki (Interim Director of the AFL) told us there would be no problem adding such a card to the current display. A motion to develop the card/envelope membership form was approved. Peter Woods will report on this project, along with information about the current stock of brochures, at the next meeting.

Junior Friends' Report

Jo Winzenread (former Junior Friends advisor) reported that because there is currently no volunteer advisor for the Junior Friends, President Molly Skeen advised students participating in Junior Friends activities that their memberships will either be refunded or converted to regular student memberships. Also, the funds remaining in the Junior Friends treasury will be transmitted to the library for the benefit of junior collections.

Alameda Reads Literacy Project

Jordona Elderts expressed appreciation for the Friends support of the literacy program. She reported that there are currently 50 tutor/learner teams. The Literacy Project celebrated its 20th anniversary in June. The Book Club, entirely funded by the Friends, continues to develop. Jordona encouraged the members attending the meeting to buy a seat at the table reserved for Alameda Reads at the Bookies by the Bay event September 22.

Teen Book Discussion Group

Karin Lundstrom reported on the success of the Teen Book Discussion Group. Interested students meet once a month at the library to discuss a new book they have read. Karin works with the students to choose books of general interest to the participants. The Friends supports the group by providing funds to purchase books for the participants. Karin requested that the Friends continue funding this program. A motion to provide $648 for continuation of the program was approved.

Book Sale

Gertrude Woods (Book Sale Co-chair) reported that sufficient books have been donated to make the October sale a "full category" sale. The venue will again be the DeWitt O'Club. Gert also recommended that an honorarium be given to the firemen who assist at the book sales, and this motion was approved.

Vice President Richard Kolberg read a report summarizing response to the book sale vouchers distributed to the Alameda School Media Center staff on behalf of Claudia Fenelon and Mark Schoenrock. In general, voucher recipients were enthusiastic about this opportunity and the materials they acquired. A request was submitted to repeat the program at the next sale.

Library Building Team Report

No new information; visit web cam: http://www.ci.alameda.ca.us/library/webcam.html

Newsletter Report

Marc Lambert requested that all material for the October newsletter be submitted by Friday, September 23.

BALIS Report

Marc Lambert reported that the BALIS (Bay Area Library Information System) group will meet on Wednesday, 21 September 2005. The discussion will focus on planning for the fall.

Library Director's Report

Richard Kolberg read a letter from Susan Hardie expressing her gratitude for the Certificate of Appreciation from the Friends and the gift certificate to the Cycle City bike shop.

Jane Chisaki (Interim Director of the AFL) reported that construction on the new library is on schedule and under (!!) budget.

The new building should be weather-tight by January 2006 at which time it may be possible to schedule some tours for interested members of the Friends.

The children (Get Wrapped Up in Reading) and youth (Between the Covers) summer reading programs were a great success. The end-of-program celebration honored 147 participants. Entertainment was provided by Willie Claflin, internationally known storyteller and puppeteer. Willy Claflin's award-winning songs and stories have been featured at the National Storytelling Festival, dozens of regional festivals, and hundreds of schools nationwide.

Jane also reported that activity at the library is very brisk, and that questions to the reference desk are becoming more complex. Demand for library computers is also increasing. Jane mentioned that, although computer reservations are in high demand, some computer time is always set aside for walk-ins.

Old Business

Jo Winzenread, to follow up on her suggestion at the June meeting, reported that she put up a poster at the June book sale that listed children's programs supported by the Friends. She suggested additional efforts be pursued to publicize Friends activities. She suggested a bookmark that could be given out with each purchase. Chris Christopher volunteered to develop the artwork for consideration at the October meeting. Jo will send Chris the necessary information.

In response to a question from the floor, Chris Christopher summarized the previous discussion of doing internet book sales. Briefly, the consensus seems to be that the volunteer effort required to sustain internet sales is beyond the Friends' capabilities at present.

Honora Murphy reported at the June meeting that the mayor had suggested that a single person act as director of the library and of ARPD. Kate Quick and a number of other members confirmed that this suggestion met with almost universal opposition and was withdrawn.

New Business

Gertrude Woods reported that a recipient of books discarded after previous sales had sent a letter of appreciation. This recipient sent some of the books to a university library in the Philippines.

Although President Molly Skeen could not be present at this meeting, she requested that the members consider a proposal from Joe Mariscal, EHS marketing teacher, to use the services of a group of Encinal High School marketing students to help with our book sales this year. Joe says there are around 60 to 70 students in the DECA club, an international association for marketing students. Each year the DECA club develops a project. For example, several years ago they set up a service, through the Alameda Education Foundation, to provide supplies for Alameda teachers at no charge. Another year they set up kiosks at the airport. Several members expressed enthusiastic support for this project and the motion was approved. Jordona Elderts and Chris Christopher volunteered to work with Molly on this project.

Chris Christopher reported that she had agreed to develop a plan for archiving the available records of the Friends. The general objective is to convert all paper records such as minutes, newsletters, financial reports, etc. to electronic files for CD-ROM storage. Members are asked to submit newspaper clippings, pictures (with detailed identifications), and other materials related to the history of the Friends.

Mark Lambert submitted a press release from The American Library Association. The ALA has established the "ALA Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund" to collect funds for the necessary rebuilding ahead for libraries in the Gulf Coast region. For more information, go to www.ala.org.

Requests for items for the October agenda

Honorarium for the firemen.
We need a permanent secretary. Our long-time and much appreciated Recording Secretary Carol Stone cannot continue in this post because of a conflict.
Bookmark listing Friends support for reading programs.
Peter Woods report on current stock of Friends brochures and development of card-sized membership form and envelope to be made available at the libraries.
Report on DECA student project.

Notice of Coming Meetings

The next meeting will be on October 17.

Respectfully submitted,
Chris Christopher,
Acting Secretary