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

February, 2015 Meeting Minutes

MINUTES FOR THE MEETING OF THE FRIENDS OF THE MERRICK LIBRARY FEBRUARY 10, 2015 Karen A. Tusa opened the meeting at 4:30 PM. Present: Karen A. Tusa (President), Howard Schwartz (Vice President), Diane Christie (Treasurer), David R. Stayer (Secretary), Marion Ormsten (Correspondence Chair), Art Sacharoff (Library Trustee), Angela Capone (Library Representative) and Sandra Mintz. The previously e-mailed minutes were reviewed. David moved and Howard moved their acceptance as submitted. The motion passed. Diane Christie gave the report of the treasurer. Savings account has $3,878.50 and checking account $303.48. Received income during the past month membership $160,.00, raffle $37.00, tote bags $13.00 craft and vendorfair $380.00. Total received income $590.00. No expenses since our last meeting. Diane moved acceptance of the report and Howard seconded. The motion passed. Karen and Diane have completed our tax forms. Paul Tusa will submit them for us by May 15. Committee reports: Howard indicated that 23 vendors have signed up for our Craft and Vendor Fair. Advertising will begin in March. Karen reported that we currently have 45members. Diane reported that Blossom can no longer sell raffles at the Library. Marion has agreed to assume that responsibility. Joan will submit an article regarding membership and the craft and vendor fair for the Merrick Library Newsletter. The library has sold some of the thumb drives purchased by the Friends. Additionally we will receive income from books sold by the library. If we can sponsor some activities for children we may be able to attract new members for the Friends. Howard suggested we consider looking through the Merrick telephone book. Ellen Firer suggested that we try the Panera Bread fundraiser. If approved by Panera Bread the Friends have selected Monday, April 13, 2015 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. After the twentieth person who proves they have the flyer we will get a per centage of the sales. Advocacy Day Info and prep session initially scheduled for February 9 , will be rescheduled. Library advocacy day in Albany day on Wednesday, February 25, will be attended by David and Joan. The next two Meeting dates are Tuesday, March 10 and Tuesday, April 14. The meetings begin at 4:30 pm and are held at the Merrick Library. All Friends are invited to attend. Since no further business was presented, the meeting adjourned at 5:40 pm. Respectfully submitted, David R. Stayer, LCSW-R

Minutes of the January 2015 Meeting

MINUTES FOR THE MEETING OF THE FRIENDS OF THE MERRICK LIBRARY TUESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2015 Karen A. 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 (Publicity Chair), Sandy Mintz, Ellen Firer (Library Director) and Art Sacharoff (Library Trustee.) Howard moved and Joan seconded that the December minutes be approved as distributed. The motion passed. Diane gave the report of the treasurer. Savings account $3,448.50 and checking account $143.48. Income since last meeting $494.03, comprised of Membership $305.00, raffle $86.00. better world books $102.18, interest $0.85. Expenditures mostly printing $607.58. Transfer of $300.00 from savings to checking account. Diane moved and David seconded the motion to approve the report of the treasurer. The motion passed. We will need to do an interim tax return and file our usual one for the fiscal year now beginning January 1 and ending December 31 on May 15th. The tax for the current fiscal year has been completed by Paul Tusa of Tusa and Associates CPA, PC. Committee reports: On December 16, 2014, fifty two letters for membership renewals were mailed Total membership 75. 38 have been received and 37 are outstanding. We will have a Friends table at various Library events. Starting on Sunday, January 25, 2015 at Maker Day. Several members have signed up as volunteers. A discussion of ideas to publicize the Friends was initiated and is ongoing. One was the purchase of childrens museum passes. We are considering sponsoring programs at the Library. We are seeking pressentors for programs including a possible lecture series. The West Babylon Library has a program of swapping books and other items. Howard reported that thus far 63 invitations have been sent out for our Craft Fair in May. We will be charging $20.00 per table paid by the participating vendors. We will seek food donations from local businesses to sell at the Fair. We will change the name to a Craft and Vendors Fair. The amendment of the Friends By-laws was moved by Howard and seconded by Sandy. The motion was approved. Sign for Maker Day is being displayed and the Library has been helpful in publicizing the Friends on its web site. The Friends will participate in the info & prep sessions on February 5, 9, or 10, 2015,at the Nassau Library headquarters. We will participate in the Library Advocacy Day trip on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 in Albany. Our next two meettings are Tuesday, February 10 and Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at the Merrick Library. The meetings begin at 4:30 PM. All Friends are invited to attend. The motion to adjourn was accepted. The meeting adjourned at 5:39 PM. Respectfully submitted David R. Stayer, LCSW-R

December 2014 Minutes

MINUTES FOR THE MEETING OF THE FRIENDS OF THE MERRICK LIBRARY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2014 Karen A. 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 (Publicity Chair), Marion Ormsten (Correspondence Chair), Art Sacharoff (Library Trustee) and Angela Capone (Library Representative). Howard moved acceptance of the previously emailed minutes and Angela seconded. The motion passed . Diane gave the report of the treasurer: Savings account $3,462.65 and checking account $242.88. A check for $149.70 to Micro Center for the purchase of the flash drives. Membership brought in $85.00 tote bags brought in $9.00. Diane moved and David seconded acceptance of the report of the treasurer. The motion passed. Karen reported that a letter has been sent to the New York State Department of tax and finance to update our tax exempt forms. The letter was sent on December 2, 2014.Until our designation is changed to 501C3We must still complete the 990EZ IRS form. Blossom Miller has been selling raffles on Wednesday mornings. We thank her. Art has donated labels to help with our membership drive. Thank you. Joan has worked diligently on updating the Friends membership brochure. Discussion ensued and minor changes were suggested. Great Job. The membership categories were revised. We are trying to get more than twenty tables in the multipurpose room at the Merrick Library for the Craft Fair on Sunday, May 3, 2015. The Craft Fair was mentioned in the Merrick Library Newsletter Winter edition. We will be selling new tote bags for $3.00 each. The proposed amendment to our Bylaws was discussed. Howard moved and Joan seconded that the Bylaws be voted on at the meeting of Tuesday, January 13, 2015. The Friends link on the Library web site has been updated to include the current officers. Thank you Marissa. Maureen Garvey has agreed to update the friends blog. We will acquire a Join the Friends sign. We are tentatively planning a holiday breakfast for next year since schedules do not permit us to hold one this year. Our next two meetings are Tuesday, January 13, 2015 and Tuesday, February 10, 2015. All friends are invited to attend the meetings held at the Merrick Library beginning at 4::30 PM. The meeting was adjourned at 5:44 PM. Respectfully submitted Daavid R. Stayer, LCSW-R

Minutes of the November 18, 2014 Meeting

MINUTES FOR THE MEETING OF THE FRIENDS OF THE MERRICK LIBRARY TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2014 Karen A. Tusa opened the meeting at 4:35 PM. Present: Karen A. Tusa (President), Howard Schwartz (Vice President), Diane Christie (Treasurer), David R. Stayer (Secretary), Marion Ormsten (Correspondence Chair), Joan Sculli (Publicity Chair), Ellen Firer (Merrick Library Director) and Art Sacharof (Library Trustee). The minutes were read and approved. Ellen Firer suggested that since the minutes are emailed in advance that they not be read aloud. Karen A. Tusa will ask at subsequent meetings if the minutes need to be read. Diane Christie gave the report of the treasurer. Savings account $3,462.65 Checking $298.58. The tote bags brought in $16.00, Better World Books brought us $130.78, Raffle $47.00, Membership brought in $75.00 and interest from the bank netted $2.58. Diane moved for acceptance of the report and David seconded. The motion passed. We will order more tote bags. Karen A. Tusa will be in charge of membership and Howard Schwartz will be in charge of the Craft Fair. We will need to update our Friends brochure. A letter from a church which has had craft fairs in the past was reviewed. The Friends have asked Ellen Firer to ascertain whether the library list of patrons can be used for a blast emailing to assist in our membership drive. We do not know the answer since library Lawyers must be consulted. We need to determine how many tables for vendors at the craft fair can fit in the Merrick Library Multipurpose Room. The Friends have purchased flash drives to be sold to patrons who use the Library computers to download data. Karen A. Tusa informed us that the Friends have incorrectly been classified by the IRS as a Support Group. This is being corrected. An amendment to the Friends Bylaws will propose that the Friends change our fiscal year so it goes from January 1, through December 31. The proposed amendment will be read at our December meeting. The Friends now contribute toward the Museum Passes which the library offers to patrons. We will have a presence on Sunday, January 25, 2015 for Merrick Library Day. Also we will submit a Save the Date May 3, 2015 for our Friends Craft Fair. Our next two meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, December 9, 2014 and Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at 4:30 PM at the Merrick Library. The meeting was adjourned at 5:15 PM. Respectfully submitted David R. Stayer, LCSW-R