AGENDA

KEENE VALLEY LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
QUARTERLY MEETING
MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2009 7:00-8:45 PM

• Welcome:
• Minutes September 21, 2009………………………….Ingrid Carman
• Bylaw Amendment Ratification………………………Phyllis Buchanan
• Update on Library Finances …………………………..Phyllis Buchanan
• 2010 Budget

Resolutions:

1. Indemnification Of Officers and Trustees

RESOLVED, that the Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law, indemnify any person made, or threatened to be made, a party to any action or proceeding by reason of the fact that he, his testator or intestate was a trustee or officer of the Corporation, against judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, including attorneys’ fees.
 

2. Purchase of Directors and Officers Liability Insurance and Employment Practices Liability Insurance

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Corporation shall purchase and maintain policies of so-called Directors and Officers Liability insurance and Employment Practices Liability insurance, each with an aggregate limit of $1,000,000 for all claims made during an annual policy period; the President is hereby authorized and directed to execute such insurance applications and related documents as may be required in connection with the purchase and maintenance of such insurance; and the officers, signing singly, are hereby authorized and directed to execute such other documents and to take such other further actions as may be necessary or appropriate to implement the purchase and maintenance of such insurance.

• Director’s Report……………………………………....Karen Glass
• Archives………………………………………………..Pat Galeski
• Adult Summer Reading Program………………………Phyllis Buchanan
• Executive Committee Review…………………………Phyllis Buchanan
• Library Charter Amendment………………………….. Bill Roberts
• KVLA Board Committee Structure……………………Betsey Serjak
• Old Business
              Nominating Committee’s Future Role
• New Business
• Adjourn: 8:45 pm

December 7, 2009
Director’s report

Library activity changes dramatically in the fall.  In September we move to a winter schedule of 3 days a week and are closed for lunch.  KCS students start classes in October on Wednesdays and we begin all those jobs that were neglected over the summer.  Library patron use is down, Library work is up.

Currently we are sending letters and trying to locate lost books.  Sending overdue notices is a complicated process and I neglected it for 6 months (or more).  I have made a commitment to CEF to better keep up with this procedure.  It makes me grumbly, but it is necessary.

We are also putting our shelves back in order, finding missing books there and making room for new books.  We have begun working on the inventory again as well.  In general this time of year we do cleaning, weeding, sorting and ordering kind of work.  Of course we continue buying and processing new books as well.

In 2007 we received a construction grant.  The money was spent and there were still a few projects left undone.  One of them was replacing the tiles in the Alpine Room and basement hallway.  They had been damaged by water during one of the leaking episodes about 10 years ago.  The tiles cost about $250.  I am reluctant to use operating money to do a capital project so decided to have a Book and Bake Sale.  It is amazing how many people are willing to bake something for the sale!  Even the KCS teachers signed up as they came in with their children on Wednesday.  Wow!  So please pass the word and come and support our sale.  It’s a great time to get holiday goodies!  I wouldn’t mind a few more baked goods either.  Thanks.
Book and Bake Sale
Keene Valley Library
December 12,  10AM
               Proceeds used for ceiling repair.

Also as a fund raiser, we are selling the Town of Keene Historical Calendar 2010.  Last year, the KCS 6th graders researched events in the history of the town of Keene.  The intent was to make a town calendar.  The project was too costly, about $2000, and the library decided not to finance it.  Ann Sayers was interested in finding a local history project.  She asked to work on the calendar.  We found a printer who would do the job for $280.  In addition, we sold ads to cover half the cost of printing.  The board was still reluctant, but Ann was enthusiastic so she agreed to produce the calendar with her own company.  She elaborated and expanded on the research of the sixth graders, worked with the Archives gathering photos and added calendar information. The Archives are a rich resource and the archivists are invaluable researchers.  I did the layout.  Just 250 were printed. The product is now ready.   Calendars are selling for $8.00 with quantity discounts available;  all the proceeds after expenses will go to the two town libraries. They are also selling very well.   It is a wonderful gift from Ann and a way to honor our past. 

Partnerships:  I love partnerships.  In this small community, we grow best by working together.  We have worked as partners with several organizations this fall.  The most noticeable of course is Keene Central School.  Students come over on Wednesdays for library classes.  They learn to love books and the library.  It is a life lesson.  We can guide their steps in care of books and use of community resources. 

In November, the Little Peaks Preschool asked to meet in our library when their building was in use.  They came at 8:30 on a Thursday and spent the morning in the children’s room.  The library was alive with their enthusiasm.  The third graders even came over and read to them.  Again, their teachers were amazed at the resources we have.  The checked out our science kits as well as many books and before they left we agreed, this should be a yearly field trip.  The sound of children’s voices in the library is a glimpse into our future.  They will think of our library as a place of great riches. 

We work with The Afterschool Program.  Once a week on Thursdays in the late fall and winter about 20 children and their caretakers come to the library and use the materials and resources her.  It is an active, lively end to the day. 

We have another partnership in the works.  A new coffee shop is opening in Keene, The Wake Up Call.  Josh, one of the owners, is a library user.  He and Andre, his partner, have agreed to provide us coffee for our bake sale on December 12.  So go in, have a cuppa and thank him.

All in all, things are well.  Life is good and the library is a warm place in cold times.

Karen

Statistic  September 1 to November 30:
Library use
The library was open 39 days.
1962 people used the library during regular hours, an average of 50 per day.
421 children used the library for library classes.
                September 900 patrons, 
                October:  578 patrons, 241 students
                November: 484 patrons, 181 children

816 items were circulated in September
1112 items were circulated in October
847 items were circulated in November

Computer use: 
                397 users in September
                237 users in October
                106 users in November

Student volunteer hours:  38 hours, 7 students.