Minutes from Jan. 21 Friends of the Merrick Library meeting
Vice President Karen Tusa called the meeting to order at 4:30.
Present: Karen Tusa, (VP), Maureen Garvey, (Library Liaison), Barbara Perlman, Lois Calame, (Publicity Chair), Jerry Bernstein, Katherine Luger, Marion Ormsten, Carla Jaszczerski, Shirley Sherwin, (Treasurer).
The minutes of the previous meeting were read by Maureen Garvey. Lois Calame made a motion to accept the minutes as read, which was seconded by Barbara Perlman and passed unanimously.
Barbara Perlman reported that the previous day’s book sale at the Wing had been very productive; $70 worth of books was sold, and many books, including children’s books, were donated.
She also commented that the atmosphere at the sale is very pleasant; people there are all book-lovers, and conversations are struck up between strangers over the books. We asked Lois to mention this atmosphere in our publicity.
Karen established the staffing for the Wing in February. Jerry suggested we post a copy of the minutes in the Library. Maureen said she would talk with Ellen and Angela about creating a dedicated space for the Friends information-book sale, minutes, upcoming meetings, membership.
Publicity: Lois Calame circulated a newsprint circular called “Community News” that she received at home. It featured two stories on the Friends, one about the coffee house, one asking for recipes for the cookbook. We don’t know how this came about, but they had to have gotten the information from one of the other newspapers that Lois send publicity to.
Membership: Karen mailed 29 membership renewals on Dec. 1st, and received five responses. Jerry Bernstein suggested a second mailing be sent in February, considering that many people are not in town this time of year. Maureen will send a membership renewal reminder by email to those of the 29 who have not renewed and have email addresses.
Cookbook: There was a discussion of how many recipes were needed. A decision was made to go with whatever we have by the Feb. 18th meeting. A brief discussion of a cookbook launch party ensued.
Treasurer’s Report: The Friends have $8,777.95 in savings and $220.65 in checking. $70 was made at the book sale yesterday, and a $12 renewal was also received at the sale.
The note thanking Lori Stayer for the assistance she gave to the newly-formed Friends of the North Bellmore Library was circulated, as was the acknowledgement from Claire Hendler’s family.
A note from Lori and David Stayer was read, in which they requested that someone purchase business envelopes; they have been using their own envelopes for Friends business, and have gone through their supply. Shirley Sherwin said that she would do so.
Maureen Garvey told the Friends about Patch.com, which has already run a story about the book sale. She also told the Friends that when there is a scavenger hunt in the children’s room with the teens participating, the Friends are welcome to have a membership table, and perhaps they will want to purchase small prizes for the participants. Further discussion will occur when the event is planned.
There was a discussion of the possibility of having a “Cooking with the Friends” fund raiser, but it was determined that there would be no income realized from that sort of program. However, if the Friends do have a launch party for the cookbook, perhaps Friends who contributed recipes could make them for the party.
Barbara Perlman volunteered to ask Waldbaums if the Friends can put a sign for the book sale on their property.
Lois Calame suggested that the Friends purchase a permanent sign for the sale, to be installed on the Wing property. Shirley Sherwin suggested that it might be even better to have a permanent sign installed at the main building, near the Narwood Ave. entrance. Maureen Garvey said she would bring the idea to Ellen Firer. The Friends realize that such an installation would have to be approved by the Library’s Board of Trustees.
Volunteers for presence at the library February 21st from 1-2 pm prior to show was filled by Lois Calame and Carla Jaszczerski. A thank you to Carol Fontana for volunteering for the January 10th show.
The upcoming meetings of the Friends will be held on February 18, March 18, April 22 and May 20.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:40 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Garvey
Library Liaison
