(As submitted)

Library Conference Room, 4 pm

Members present: Ann Coker, Anne Benson, Tulli Kerstetter, Cathy Seibert, Jared Boudreaux, Amy Welden, Earlene Swann, Ilga Vise, Peggy Littlejohn

1. Call to order 4 pm

2. Minutes from September meeting as emailed – Cathy moved to accept the minutes and Ilga seconded. All approved

3. Guest requests – None

4. Proxy/e-mail votes –None

5. Correspondence – None

6. Financial report – In Laurie’s absence, Anne read the report. There is $4225.60 still in savings. A few deposits were made to checking, two rather large ones of $1102 and $2500 from Becktel Charitable Trust. Other income came from $43.15 in donation box and in-library book sales, for a total in checking of $8677.41. Total balance: $12,903.01. Ann moved to accept the financial report and Cathy seconded. All approved.

7. Library Director’s report – (See report for further details). Jared reported that the library is looking for a substitute employee to help with the Friday Children’s program. The library staff is now prepping for the Half Marathon, which is on track to raise about $11,000 for the library, similar to last year. Attendance for children’s programs is steady, maxing out Friday programs, with 40 plus at Trivia Night at the Brewery, and 36 for Author Talk. The camera system is up and running and has already proven useful. Children’s computers are in the process of whitelisting approved websites. Cybrarian will soon become the primary computer software for all the library’s computers. The HVAC system, in need of replacement, necessitates seeking bids from approved operators, but there currently is a severe backlog for these companies before work can begin on the system at the library. The upgrade may force the library to close for a few days. There will be no annual fee for new wifi systems, resulting in an annual savings of $700. The library is also replacing firewall equipment.
Jared made a request for funds to support the Halloween Werewolf Game & Costume Contest, held at Fenceline from 5 to 9 p.m.. Coasters with the library and Fenceline logos cost about $170 and cookies for the attendees another $100. Cathy and Peggy volunteered to bake four dozen cookies each to help reduce the cost of buying cookies. Anne suggested $150 out of Friends’ finances for this event. Tulli made the motion to approve $150 for the Halloween Werewolf Game & Costume Contest, and Peggy seconded. All approved.

8. Book Maven report – In Miriam’s absence, Anne has been sorting the influx of books and reported that the Zircon is getting full again. Jared stated that there should be more books for sale coming out of the library’s mystery books collection, which the library is culling in order to make room on the shelves for other mystery authors and titles.

9. Old business

Half Marathon plans – October 15. Anne passed around the volunteer sheet she has posted at the circulation desk. She has talked with Melissa Blaine at ABC about providing trays of cookies. Amy suggested signs for gluten free or nut free items. Friends are assuming that Josh would be taking care of the drinks as usual (Jared will confirm) and help with canopy setup. Peggy will bring buckets to fill with stones for securing canopy legs. Tulli and Anne agreed to obtaining food items for the runners per the To-Do List from last year. Cathy will again supply her aluminum bowls for snacks and coolers for the cold drinks. Setup will begin at 7 a.m. There will be a vendor for food but Jared was unsure if the Chuckwagon will still be the vendor. Tulli updated the Friends’ To-do List for setup by adding the Friends banner (which Anne cannot find at present) and zip ties.

Holiday Book Sale? Anne is not sure about this because the Christmas venues are to be held when the library is closed (see minutes of prior meeting for details). This item was then tabled to the November meeting. Jared may have some ideas about having a spot set aside for the sale by that time.

10. New business – Election of officers was to have been held at September’s meeting but since it is past September, Ann postponed the election to November.

11. Adjourn at 5 p.m.

Next meeting: November 1, 2022 – Library Conference Room