Present: Don Durfee, Amy Hughes, Terry Reynolds, Karen Hubbard, Dana Richter, Faith Morrison, Eloise Haller, Sue DesRochers, Dick Rupley, Christa Walck, Rhianna Williams

Absent: Mary Marchaterre, Dee Vincent, Patricia Van Pelt, Sandy Lewin

Co-Chairman Dana Richter called the meeting to order at 4:05 pm.  Since Secretary Mary Marchaterre was not able to attend, Rhianna Williams agreed to take the minutes.

The minutes of the October 30, 2008 Annual Meeting were reviewed and approved.

Faith Morrison and Tom Co invited everyone to their Holiday Party December 20^th 5 to 10pm.

Terry Reynolds presented the treasurer’s report.  Artist Phyllis Fredendall has been paid and that amount will come out in December.  There is approximately $3,800 in funds promised but not subtracted from the total amount of funds these include:

• $1,500 for Archives travel grants
• $1,000 to purchase library equipment for individuals with disabilities.  This will include a print enlarger and software which scans text and then assists the individual in understanding the text.  The software is aimed at assisting those with possible learning disabilities like dyslexia.
• Up to $300 MUB charges for catering of the art reception in October

A request was made to find the last audit date and consider performing an internal audit in the near future.

Book cart sales are doing well and $60 was collected in November.

Faith moved that the Treasurer’s Report be approved.  The motion was seconded by Karen.  The report was approved.

 

Book Sale update by Eloise

The book sale posters and the wording of preference for usable books were discussed.  The wording was approved.  In the matter of weeding incoming donations it was agreed that it is better to error on the side of caution when weeding until after the book sale.  That way the public has a chance to get everything they want from our book selection.  Books may always be recycled during the after book sale pick up. (Books may also be recycled in the library receiving area, hard covers must be removed and Bill Sved of the library is happy to do that for us when asked.)

Faith volunteered to send out an email to advertise the benefits of becoming a Friend of the Library and coming to the presale. “Free parking, convenient evening hours and first choice of books!  All yours by joining the Friends!”

Sue DesRochers will take care of press releases and an article for the Lode.

The work area in the basement looks good; the next Work Bee will be scheduled at the next meeting after Christmas, January 8^th.

 

New Business

Winter Carnival is February 5-7^th.  The Friends hot cocoa and book sale will be on February 7^th from 11 – 3pm.  We should get the hot cocoa and book sale on the Winter Carnival Schedule of Events Calendar.  Faith will do that.

Sue DesRochers volunteered to do publicity.

Publicity and organization of the February book sale and cocoa event will be discussed again at the January 8^th board meeting.

The outdoor sign and left over cocoa from last year is in storage under the stairs.

Time during the February 5^th Board Meeting will be used to finalize the hot cocoa and book sale event.  A work bee is suggested to take place the hour before the meeting from 3 – 4pm.

 

Library Update from Christa Walck:

The strategic planning is going forward.  Focus groups are planned for January.

Reorganization of the Library staff structure is complete.  The circulation desk is now run by the Office Manager Carol Makkonnen and Nora Allred has moved to a Reference Librarian position.  Nora is in charge of Inter Library Loan and developing a copy right policy for the campus.

Two spaces in the library are being looked at to change into an informal meeting lounge.  The space may be used for book clubs or discussion groups by students.  The location could be first floor near the vending machines or second floor south west corner.

Soon student group meeting rooms will be available for the students to schedule using Michigan Tech’s new email system Zimbra.

During the week of January 19^th there will be a number of activities in the library.  On January 20^th Dr. James Mullens Dean of Purdue University Libraries will be touring and giving a talk at the library.  Sometime during January 23^rd or 24^th Molly Kleinberg, copyright librarian at U of Michigan, will be also giving a presentation at the library.

Also around January 21^st the library is planning to have an Open House for the Center for Teaching, Learning and Faculty Development, and Library Reference.

The Reference Desk and a segment of the Reference Collection will be moved to the first floor within the next year.

 

The next regular meeting will be at 4:00pm on Thursday, January 8, 2009.

 

The meeting adjourned at 5:00 pm. 

Submitted by Rhianna Williams, December 5, 2008.