Friends Crafts Fair

Join us for our Holiday Craft & Vendor Fair!

When: Saturday, November 14th 10 AM - 4 PM

Where: The Merrick Library 2279 Merrick Avenue, Merrick, NY 11566

 Sponsored by Friends of the Merrick Library

Minutes of the Sept. 8, 2015 Meeting of the Friends of the Merrick Library

MINUTES FOR THE MEETING OF THE FRIENDS OF THE MERRICK LIBRARY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2015 Karen Tusa opened the meeting at 4:35 PM. Present: Karen A. Tusa (President), Howard Schwartz (Vice President), Diane Christie (Treasurer), David R. Stayer (Secretary), Joan Sculli (Public Relations Chair), Marion Ormsten (Correspondence Chair), Ellen Firer (Merrick Library Director) and Sandra Mintz. David moved and Howard seconded acceptance of the minutes of the previous meeting as distributed prior to the meeting. The motion passed. Report of the Treasurer: Diane gave the report. Total in savings account $3,322.04. Checking account $196.79. Income: book sale $152.50, raffle $52.00, totes $24.00, Panera bread $35.98, membership $20.00, better world books $160.74, flash drives $28.00, staple rewards $5.00, interest $.71. Total monthly income $478.93. No expenditures. Diane moved and David seconded the motion for acceptance of the report of the treasurer. Motion passed. Karen reported that we have a new member bringing the total to 58 current members. We are having our holiday Craft and Vendor Fair at the Merrick Library on Saturday, November 14, 2015 from 10::00 am to 4:00 pm. We are still looking to add to the list of vendors. We will search out local food establishments for donations.Meeting members were asked if you attend a craft event pick up business cards from vendors. We will request to have a fund raiser on Sunday, November 15, 2015 from 2:00 to 6:00 pm at Chipotle in Merrick. We will receive 50% of the sales for that time period. We will consider selling earbuds at the library. Howard will look into a author sponsored event. Our next two meetings will be Tuesday, October 13, 2015 and Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at 4:30 pm at the Merrick Library. All Friends are invited to attend. A motion to adjourn was made and approved. The meeting adjourned at 5:30 PM. Respectfully submitted, David R. Stayer, LCSW-R

July 2015 Minutes

MINUTES FOR THE MEETING OF THE FRIENDS OF THE MERRICK LIBRARY TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2015 Karen Tusa opened the meeting at 4:35 pm. Present: Karen Tusa (President), Howard Schwartz (Vice President), Diane Christie (Treasurer), David Stayer (Secretary), Marion Ormsten (Correspondence Chair), Sandra Mintz and Ellen Firer (Merrick Library Director). David moved that the minutes be accepted as distributed prior to the meeting. Howard seconded the motion. Motion passed. Diane gave the report of the treasurer. Savings account $2,843.11 and the checking account has $196.79. Income from book sale $117.00, raffle $76.00 tote bags $9.00, lemonade $27.50, donation $50.00 Total income $279.50. Expenditures total $190.04. Diane moved acceptance of the report of the treasurer. David seconded the motion. Motion passed. Karen reported that our membership is remaining at 57. Joan and Karen will work on an updated Friends brochure for 2016. The holiday Craft and Vendor Fair is Saturday, November 14, 2015 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the errick Library. Panera Bread fundraiser check is pending. Howard reminded us to acquire the names of vendors when visiting craft events. Ellen mentioned the Friends should have a presence on Sunday, December 6, 2015 when the 10th anniversary of the Merrrick Library in the present building is celebrated. A volulnteer schedule for selling raffles was organized. The Friends will have a presence at the Sunday programs in the fall. We will consider sponsoring programs in the future. We will not meet in August. Our next two meetings will be Tuesday, September 8, 2015 and Tuesday, October 13, 2015. Meetings begin at 4:30 pm and all Friends are invited to attend. Since no further business came before the Friends the meeting was adjourned at 5:20 pm. Respectfully submitted, David R. Stayer, LCSW-R

June 2015 Minutes

MINUTES FOR THE MEETING OF THE FRIENDS OF THE MERRICK LIBRARY TUeSDAY, JUNE 9, 2015 Karen Tusa opened the meeting at 4:35 pm. Present: Karen Tusa (President), Howard Schwartz (Vice President), Diane Christie (Treasurer), David Stayer (Secretary), Ellen Firer (Library Director), Joan Sculli (Publicity chair) and Sandra Mintz. David moved and Diane seconded acceptance of the minutes as distributed prior to the meeting. Motion passed. Report of the treasurer: Diane gave the report savings account $2,750.11 and checking account $200.33. Income since the last meeting was book sale $163.15, raffle $19.00, membership $20.00 and spare change $5.00. Total income $207.15. Expenses were postage for tax return $7.40, ink $34.75. Total expenses $42.15. Diane moved and David seconded acceptance of the report of the treasurer. Motion passed. Karen reported that we have 57 members. Comprised of 48 renewals and 9 new members. We will give a free tote bag for members who contribute $35.00 or more starting next year. Diane moved and Howard seconded a motion that we pay $160.00 to Tusa & Associates CPA for tax filing fees. Motion passed. On December 6, 2015 the Merrick Library will be celebrating the tenth anniversary of the present building. The Friends will have a presence at the celebration. We are planning a holiday craft fair around Thanksgiving 2015. Diane reported on the Summer Reading kickoff which occured on Sunday, June 7, at the Merrick Library. The Friends sold lemonade, raffles and tote bags. Raffles $11.00 tote bags $9.00 and lemonade $$27.50. less $20.00 for returned lemonade and ice. We thank Diane Christie, Sandra Mintz, Joan Sculli and Marian Hart for volunteering. Our next meeting is Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at 4:30 pm at the Merrick Library. All Friends are invited to attend. Whether we meet in August will be decided at our July meeting. Since there was no further business the meeting was adjourned at 5:15 pm. Respectfully submitted, David R. Stayer, LCSW-R

May 2015 Minutes

FRIENDS OF THE MERRICK LIBRARY MINUTES OF MEETING May 12th, 2015 Karen Tusa opened the meeting at 4:35 PM. Present: Karen Tusa (President), Diane Christie (Treasurer), David Stayer, (Secretary), Marion Ornsten, (Correspondence Chair), Ellen Firer (Library Director), and Sandra Mintz. The previously emailed minutes were reviewed. David moved and Karen seconded their acceptance as submitted. The motion passed. Diane gave the treasurer’s report: savings $2542.96, checking $242.48. Income: membership $100, raffle $78, tote bags $3, craft fair $20, book sale $70.45, spare change $29.79. Better World Books $116.35. Income total was $417.59. Expense: museum pass $2565, Art Sacharoff gift $26, Bookmarks $18.75, membership brochures $6.25. Expense total: $2616. A separate analysis of the craft & vendor fair was as follows: income: vendor tables $520, raffles $57, membership $50, spare change $3. Total income came to $630 with no expenses. The fair numbers were extracted from the general treasurer’s report. Diane moved acceptance of the report and Sandra seconded. The motion passed. Karen gave the membership report. There are 56 current membership comprised of 48 renewals and 8 new memberships. This is an increase of 5 memberships from last month. Preparation of 2016 brochures is underway and will include 2 new categories: $35 supporter and $50 benefactor. Also, a free tote with $35 or more membership will be available. Quotes on the back of brochure will be updated as well. Karen gave the craft & vendor fair held on May 3. Results were discussed. . Overall feedback was positive from the vendors. A few vendors left early. It was suggested that for the next fair we display lawn signs at both entrances to the library and have balloons outside. A winter fair for a full day 10-4 on a Saturday for either December 5 or November 21 was discussed. Ellen will check the Library calendar for appropriate dates. Karen discussed the Panera Bread fundraiser held on Monday, April 13 results. Panera reported that 23 flyers were submitted which qualified for a 10% return of net sales. The total donation came to $35.98. The check will be received in June. Ellen suggested that the next time to pick a different day of the week—not a Monday. The Friends interim tax return has been processed and mailed for the period of 9/1/14 – 12/31/14. The next return will be due May 15, 2016 for the calendar year of 2015 (1/1-12/31). Karen reported that one Friend member offered to volunteer and will be available in June sometime. Karen will contact member at that time. Family Day, Summer Reading Kickoff Day is scheduled for June 7th 1-4 PM at the Library. The Friends will have a table and sell lemonade for 25 cents as well as memberships, totes, raffles. Diane and Sandra are available to support this effort. Karen will contact Joan Sculli and Howard Schwartz about their availability as well. Ellen will have 100 bookmarks printed at 10 cents per copy for the event. The next two meeting dates are Tuesday, June 9th @ 4:30 PM and Tuesday, July 14th @ 4:30 PM. All Friends are invited to attend. The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 PM. Respectfully submitted, Karen Tusa, MBA

April 2015 Meeting

FRIENDS OF THE MERRICK LIBRARY MINUTES OF MEETING April 14, 2015 Karen Tusa opened the meeting at 4:30 PM. Present: Karen Tusa (President), Howard Schwartz (Vice President), Diane Christie (Treasurer), Marion Ormsten (Correspondence Chair), Art Sacharoff (Library Trustee), Ellen Firer (Library Director), and Sandra Mintz. The previously emailed minutes were reviewed. Howard moved and Sandra seconded their acceptance as submitted. The motion passed. Diane gave the treasurer’s report: savings $4,690.37, checking $293.48. Income: membership $90.00, raffle, $65.00, tote bags $12.00, craft fair $40.00, book sale $246.65, interest $.97. Income total was $454.62. Expense total was $10.00 for printing Panera flyers. Diane moved acceptance of the report and Howard seconded. The motion passed. Karen gave the membership report. There are 51 current membership comprised of 47 renewals and 4 new memberships. There are 2 pending renewals. Ideas to increase membership were discussed. A free annual Friend’s individual membership will be included with the raffle beginning June. Howard gave the craft & vendor fair report. All pertinent files are in place for the fair. Art will create a flyer for display & distribution at the Library and name badges for Friends volunteers to wear on the day of the fair. Diane and Howard will pursue obtaining food donations. Karen itemized the publicity notices she sent out on 4/6; newsday, long island herald, your newsmag, news 12, merrick patch, merrick moms and long island.com. She will continue to send out weekly email ads until the fair date. Panera Bread fundraiser held on Monday, April 13 was discussed. Karen reported that Panera Bread stated any donation contributions would be received within 45 days after the event. This would be approximately the first week of June. At a future fundraising event of similar kind, Ellen suggested to increase Friends presence at the establishment and to increase publicity by posting on our Library blog. Volunteers are needed to sell raffles and membership at the Library for a couple of hours. Karen is maintaining a schedule for those who would like to volunteer. Current members are welcome to sign up. Ellen passed around the Friends newly created bookmarks for approval. One change was made. These bookmarks will be for distribution at the library circulation desk. The Friends Interim tax return will be submitted by May 15 by Tusa & Associates, CPA. Ellen submitted the invoice for the Long Island Children’s Museum in the amount of $2,565. This invoice was approved for payment at last month’s meeting. The next two meeting dates are Tuesday, May 12th @ 4:30 PM, and Tuesday, June 9th @ 4:30 PM. All Friends are invited to attend. The meeting was adjourned at 5:40PM. Respectfully submitted, Karen Tusa, MBA

Minutes of Meeting March 10, 2015

Friends of the Merrick Library The meeting was called to order at 4:30 PM by Chairperson, Karen Tusa. Present: Karen Tusa (President), Howard Schwartz (Vice President), Diane Christie, (Treasurer), Art Sacharoff (Library Trustee), Joan Sculli (Publicity Chair), Ellen Firer (Library Director), Sandra Mintz. Treasurers Report: Savings 4,236.72 Checking 303.48 March income: Membership 55.00 Raffle 36.00 Tote bags 28.00 Craft fair tables 80.00 Book sales 30.75 Better World Books 77.47 Employee giving 50.00 Spare coins 1.00 Total income 358.22 Expenditures 0 Membership – There are a total of 46 paid memberships to-date for the 2015 year. Ideas were presented for increasing member participation; these included outreach to groups such as the Chamber of Commerce and PTA. The possibility of providing speakers was addressed. Friends participation in in-house activities, such as Kids First, was discussed. Director Firer extended an invitation to come to all library events. Bookmarks – A prototype of a bookmark to be distributed with borrowed books will be developed by the library staff. The front will include the Friends logo and information and the back will contain a membership form. The bookmark will be printed on card stock by April 13th. Brochures – The library has requested more Friends brochures for general distribution and to be included in the folders for new patrons. The library will print 100 and bill the Friends. Craft and Vendor Fair – The fair on May 3rd is sold out. Twenty-five tables are for vendors and two tables will be available for Friends use, i.e., selling bags, raffles, membership, donated refreshments, etc. Public announcements will be sent to the appropriate web based and print outlets 6 weeks and three weeks prior to the fair. We now have a data base of 150-200 vendors to use for outreach should we have more fairs. It was suggested that we consider having two fairs in the 2016 year. It was recommended that craft persons be given priority in the future. Karen thanked the Library for the generous announcements for the fair and membership provided on the back page of the current library newsletter. Advocacy Day in Albany – Karen described the interesting and informative program provided by the Nassau County Library System in preparation for Library Advocacy Day. It was attended by Karen Tusa, David Stayer and Joan Sculli. Joan commented on the issues and the experiences she and David had in Albany. Panera Bread Fundraising Night Monday, April 13th 4-8 PM – The event date was approved by Panera Bread at the 2375 Merrick Road, Bellmore location. Flyers were distributed at the meeting. Flyers will be available at the Library as well for those wishing to participate. Starting with the 20th flyer submitted Panera will donate a percentage of its net sales during the event to Friends of the Merrick Library. National Library Week, Monday, April 13th- Friends may have a presence during this time at the Library. Library Budget Vote, Wednesday, April 15th, 10-8 PM- It was decided not to have a Friends table at this event. The next two meeting dates are Tuesday, April 14th and Tuesday May 12th. The meetings begin at 4:30 PM at the Merrick Library. The meeting was adjourned at 5:29 PM. Respectfully submitted, Joan Sculli, Acting Secretary