FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY NEWSLETTER
September 2005
Friends of the Ocean Shores Library had its 2nd Monday 2PM September 12, 2005 meeting. The president announced a discussion and vote of By-Law changes for next month's 2nd Monday October 10 meeting. A need is perceived for more than one vice-president to plug the holes during vacancies and to sustain progress on the various projects such as book sales and library space. Co-Presidencies violate the By-Laws. By-Laws are needed to be a registered tax-free corporation in Washington. The By-Law committee has completed its work on recommended changes and any further changes will be up to new yearly Officers to be elected in November. Only members who paid $10 for the fee year Jan. 2005 to Dec. 2005 or lifetime members can vote. The Friends are working to come up with an accurate database of members.
The 5,933 patrons visiting the library in August 2005 made Ocean Shores history. There were 6,875 materials circulated in August 2004, and 7,943 circulated in August 2005.
The book sales are doing amazingly well even though several Friends stopped volunteering, and with truly unbelievable low pricing, sales are still bringing in several hundred dollars a month for the library. The recent plant and bulb sale, sporting expert advice from Master Gardeners brandishing their trusty reference books, was considered a success by the Friends. An excess of $75 was brought in for the library. A few dollars from the Carillo settlement for June Kaba's library endowment will be placed into the appropriate account.
The need for library material space is so great that the groups that use the library meeting room may soon have to find an alternative location. Books may not need electricity but they surely do take up space, and even computers cannot make reading for knowledge and pleasure obsolete. It may be a value judgment but television and movies cannot replace libraries and education. The Friends of the Library have $220,573.41 in the bank and a $100,000 Bishop grant to their credit. Unfortunately it will take an inflating 1.2 million dollar cost to expand the library properly for the future, so to satisfy current needs the meeting room may have to go.
On October 23 at 2:00pm, FOL is having a pie social at the old convention center. The people with experiences from the 60s and 70s can relate their written stories of living here. This will preserve some history and provide raw material for upcoming books about Ocean Shores. The FOL is also providing cookies and coffee for potential donors to the library expansion project. This invitational gathering will be held in the library. The purpose will be to explain the library's needs now and into the future, as well as the present expansion plan. The Librarian and the Steering committee are organizing this event with FOL's help. Friends of the Library are having a regular book discussion with cookies and coffee on the third Saturday of each month at the library at 11:00 am. All books and topics are discussed and all are welcome.
How does everything fit together?
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES - Has legal responsibility to the appointing body. Has moral responsibility to the community. Employs the head Librarian. Sets policies. Prepares the budget. Is active in library/community relations. Is aware of community needs. Has two-way communications with both the LIBRARIAN and THE FRIENDS.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY NEWSLETTER September 2005
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FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY - An autonomous group organized to support the Library and its services, which - Creates public support for the library. Sponsors programs that add to the culture and quality of life in the community. Offers direct financial assistance by purchasing special items not provided for in the library's budget. Offers assistance in the library. Has two- way communications with both the LIBRARIAN AND THE TRUSTEES.
LIBRARIAN - Administers the library. Acts as technical advisor to the Board. Recommends needed policies. Prepares budget recommendations. Carries out the policies set by the Board. Plans library programs (services and goals). Maintains an active public relations program. Acts as an advisor to the Friends and as a liaison between the Friends and the Board. Has two- way communications with both the FRIENDS and THE TRUSTEES.
The Friends of the Library, the Librarian, and the Board of Trustees were all represented at the Workshop in Library Leadership, which was held September 15-16, 2005 in Olympia, Washington. All Libraries throughout the state try to send representatives to this educational conference, which occurs every two years and is sponsored by the Federal and State governments. The following topics were split among the Ocean Shores attendees in order to get as much coverage as possible.
Legislative update and issues facing Washington libraries: Leaving sacred cows behind, How can small libraries be successful? Primer for new Trustees, Confidentiality of records, Walking the tightrope with the public disclosure commission, Basic budgeting for new Trustees, Future of libraries, Library Boards as teams in the midst of crises, Staying in compliance with the open meetings Act, Tough talk, How can I advocate? Isn't that a job for the staff? What to do when the FBI comes? Advocating for your library. Working successfully with foundations and Friends. Planning to meet your community's needs. Advocating and marketing your library.
There were lots of good ideas to try, just not enough time in the day or enough people to try them all. Maybe we can describe some of these ideas in future newsletters. We could show how the library services can save money. All city functions consume money, but only the library can save a patron money. The Library is the only city service that serves you through knowledge, self-education and borrowed materials. If you need the police and fire department, or if litter and unleashed dogs are bothering you, your life's quality is going down but if you are using the library your life's quality can't go anywhere but up.
If there are errors in your address, telephone or email let us know at the following PO Box and corrections will be made. A future portal email for the Friends might make communications easier except for the non-computer users. There is still a place for snail mail.
If you want to join and vote for new officers in 2005, just send back the following or drop it in the FOL box at the Library. Please make checks ($10.00/year per person) out to "Friends of the Library" and mail to PO Box 669, Ocean Shores, WA 98569. The cost is $100.00 for a lifetime membership.
Name______________________ Mailing Address____________________
Phone_______________________ Email___________________________
