Newport Library Foundation Board Meeting 10/17/07

Present: Cindy McConnell, Gary Firestone, Frances Clause, Rebecca Cohen, Curt Fewkes, Jennifer Haggerty, Carol Fisher, Charlotte Dinolt, Michele Longo Eder, Richard Kilbride, Terry Obteshka, Carol Ruggeri, Patti Littlehales, and Marian Brown.

Jennifer Keirans as secretary.

Cindy McConnell called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. No one had the minutes from the August meeting, so approval of these minutes was shelved until next time.

Announcements

Steve Skidmore of Florence Library will give a presentation regarding that library system’s building expansion at the Newport Library Board meeting on November 14. All Foundation Board members are encouraged to attend. Also, Altrusa has decided to donate $500 for the Summer Reading Program.

Fundraising and Scheduling

The letter soliciting donation of funds was submitted for group approval; there was some discussion of commas. Though no one expressed disagreement about the letter, no vote was held to approve it.

Michele Longo Eder presented the rough draft of an invitation for a No-Show Gala Event. The group discussed when this Gala should take place. Marian Brown suggested that National Library Week (April 13-19) might be a good time. This led to a discussion of the scheduling of Newport READS, which is also in the spring.

Cindy McConnell raised some concerns about the current schedule for the Newport READS events – the finale, in particular, is problematic as it conflicts with a symphony orchestra event. The board pulled out its calendars and discussed dates; the following schedule was tentatively arrived at:

Release title – February 29

Kickoff event - March 6

Movie – March 26 or 27 (or some time during spring break?)

Panel Discussion – April 3

Finale – April 5

With that hammered out, discussion returned to the No-Show Gala, which can take place during National Library week (April 13-19) without conflicting with Newport READS.

Treasurer’s Report and Budget

Treasurer Charlotte Dinolt and Richard Kilbride (who will be taking over as treasurer) presented the Treasurer’s report and the 2007-2008 projected budget. Richard explained the difference between realized and unrealized gains (as itemized in the Oregon Community Fund portion of the projected budget). Realized gains are for funds that have already been sold; unrealized gains are the estimated values of funds that have not been sold, and which are therefore subject to market fluctuation.

The group also noted, on the Treasurer’s report, that fees paid to Stories By the Sea participants have been raised, which everyone agreed was appropriate; and that, in accordance to a recently passed statute, Jo Holen’s yearly donation went to the Foundation rather than to the library staff directly.

Michelle noted that $2,000 had been budgeted for printing the No-Show Gala invitations, and was concerned that the fundraiser might not break even. Marion responded that previous mail fundraisers have done extremely well, and that fundraising every year is a good policy in any event.

Possible Land Purchase

Curt Fewkes has established a dialog with Charles Stevenson, the owner of the property just north of the Library. He and Wyma met with Stevenson regarding the purchase of his lot; and he and Cindy approached the City Council. They received Council support for the plan to purchase this lot, largely because the area is seen as problematic and in need of development. The current plan is that the cost of purchasing the property (approximately $200,000) will be shared evenly between the Foundation and the City. (The total of approximately $200,000 is decidedly less than what Stevenson first proposed.) The City will also be responsible for removing the structure that stands on the lot, and for dealing with any kind of environmental problems (i.e. subterranean oil tanks, etc.) that might be discovered there.

Carol Ruggeri suggested that the property should be given a deed restriction so that it could only be used for library use. Richard suggested that, if the city decided to use the property for something else, the Foundation should be reimbursed; “With interest!” agreed Charlotte. Michele disagreed: any such stipulation gives the City an out; she argued that the property should be reserved strictly for Library use, without exception.

Charlotte indicated that, to her knowledge, the expenditure of $100,000 for the property should not be an insurmountable problem. Richard suggested that, if this goes forward, the projected budget needs to be revised.

Carol moved that the Foundation move forward with the purchase of the property, with the stipulated deed restriction. Motion seconded and passed unanimously.

Other business

Jennifer Haggerty gave a brief presentation about Teen Read Week, describing her work in the schools. Rebecca Cohen added that 72 new library cards were assigned to second graders as part of the Library’s yearly Card For Every Child campaign.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.