1996 Annual Meeting
Make Your Holiday
Shopping Easier!
Special Meeting
Called to Consider Change in By-laws
1996 Annual MeetingOn September 18, 1996, the Friends gathered at the home of President Curt and Mrs. and Kathy Tompkins in Houghton for treats, fellowship, and an education on the mechanics of books. As Johnson explained, the bound leaves of papers that we call a book was not the first way of collecting written words. Loose papyrus and then the scroll preceded it.
The invention of the codex form, which is the technical term for what we call a book, changed the way people read written information, since with its invention it became possible to easily skip ahead and back when reading. When a scroll was all that was available, one would really think twice before rolling back to review something!
Johnson is the president and owner of Johnson's Bookbinding Supply Company in South Range, MI. "We don't bind books, but we sell beautiful cloth and other supplies to those who do," Johnson explained.
After introductory historical remarks, Johnson assembled a book before the gathered Friends and produced an attractive blank book. Betsy Aller was the lucky winner of the newly pressed book in a drawing at the end of the evening.
There was some business conducted at the meeting as well, with three new and three returning directors joining the Friends board. Elected to their first three-year terms were Sally Brozzo, Karen Hubbard, and Erin Minne. Re-elected to the board were Kim Hoagland, Faith Morrison, and Edward Yarbrough.
Many thanks to all those who brought goodies for the meeting and a hearty
thank you to the Tompkins, who for the second year in a row have opened
their home to the Friends of the Library for their annual meeting.
Make Your Holiday Shopping Easier!All proceeds go to the J.R. Van Pelt Library to help fund special projects. The price is only $68.90, including tax, plus $4 shipping if applicable.
You can pick up the blanket on campus from Faith Morrison in room 202c
of the Chemical Sciences Building or mail order it by calling 906-296-0644.
New for 1996-97The Friends are delighted to announce that they will be co-sponsors of the Copper Country Archives 1996-97 Seminar Series. This monthly series focuses on topics of local historical interest, often including research which draws on the Van Pelt Library's Copper Country Archives.
Look in future newsletters for announcements concerning this informative series. These seminars are open to the public; Friends are particularly encouraged to attend.
But there's more. The Friends Board is considering sponsoring an opening-night reception for the Communicating Science display scheduled to open in the library in the late fall of 1997. A second project is an informative display or performance timed to occur during Winter Carnival, perhaps accompanied by a food sale during the overnighter competition. If any Friends have ideas about a display, reading, performance, or demonstration which the Friends could sponsor, please contact any of the board members.
Finally, the Board is brainstroming for a follow-up project to our successful
blanket sale. The Friends have sold 212 blankets so far and have already
re-ordered to handle an anticipated Christmas rush. Consider picking one
up today!
Special Meeting Called to Consider
Change in By-lawsArticle IV. Section 1: The annual meetings of the Friends shall be held within 120 days of the close of the fiscal year at a time and place determined by the Board of Directors.Since the Friends' fiscal year coincides with the university's fiscal year and ends on June 30, the current by-laws require that the annual meeting be held before September 30. because of summer vacations and activities, this provision has effectively meant that annual meetings are held in September. September, however, is generally a very busy month because academic activities of all kinds are just kicking into gear. The proposed change in Article IV, Section 1 would give the Board more flexibility, enabling it to schedule the annual meeting in the somewhat less hectic days of October.
The by-laws under which the Friends of the Van Pelt Library operate require that amendments be approved by a majority of members present in person or by proxy at an annual or special meeting. They also require that the text of any proposed amendmnet be provided to the membership at least two weeks before the meeting at which the vote is taken. By scheduling a special meeting prior to the regular Board meeting on January 2, 1997, for consideration of the amendment and by publishing the proposed amendment in this newsletter, the Board meets the requirements of the by-laws.
If the amendment is passed, the Board hopes to put the new provision
into effect for next year's annual meeting.
Board ChangesWith regret the Board has accepted the resignations of two directors, Raymond Yarbrough and Edward Yarbrough. The Board thanks the Yarbroughs for their great service to the Friends in its first year and during the early times when the group was forming. This father-and-son team continues to be very active in the local community, and it is just htis high level of commitment to the community which has necessitated their departure from the Board -- one only has so much time. The Board wishes them well in their continuing activities in the arts and music in the Copper Country.
The Board is currently interviewing individuals who are interested in
serving on the Board of Directors of the Friends. Anyone interested in
serving the Friends in this way is asked to contact current Board Chairman,
Faith Morrison (906-487-2050: fmorriso@mtu.edu)
or to attend a bourd meeting. Board membership is a rewarding and enjoyable
activity -- no experience required! The Friends of the Library Board of
directors meets monthly on the first Thursday of the month in room 309
of the Van Pelt Library.
New Officers ElectedBoard of Directors 1996-97Sally Brozzo (1999)
Joe Fass (1998), Secretary
Nancy Fisher (1997), Treasurer
June Hawthorne (1997), vice Chairman
Kim Hoagland (1999)
Karen Hubbard (1999)
George Love (1997)
Erin Minne (1999)
Faith Morrison (1999), Chairman
Terry Reynolds (1997)
Peter Van Pelt (1998)
vacant (1998)
vacant (1999)
Fred Dobney, ex officio
Phyllis Johnson, ex officio
