SouthShore Friends April 2009 General Meeting



SouthShore Friends of the Library
Quarterly Membership Meeting, April 29, 2009
   The meeting was called to order by President Frances Hereford at 3:00 p.m.
    May 30th Giant Book SaleThe next “Really Big” Book Sale will be on Saturday, May 30, 2009 at the SouthShore Library. The sale opens at 10:00 a.m. when the library opens and ends at 3:00 p.m. The sale includes the popular "Buck A Bag" sale format. Everything in the regular book sale room will be HALF PRICE! Hopefully, we will also include a Silent Auction for some special book lots. Get to the sale early to get the best choices.
    Volunteers Honored at “100 Hour plus Recognition Ceremony” President, Frances Hereford introduced Jim Martin, Chair of the Library Board, Joe Stines, Library Director, Jim Harkins, Member of the Library Board, Margaret Rials, Coordinator of the Friends of the Library, Anne Ross, Chief Librarian and Eloise Hurst, SouthShore Supervising Librarian.
   Jim Martin thanked the volunteers for a job well done!
   Joe Stines commented that this is a very difficult time for the library and that there would be more cuts and a loss of staff throughout the year due to the economy. The Library Board and the Friends of the Library will keep the libraries strong, but Joe added that this cannot be done without the volunteers. Joe thanked the volunteers personally. He said that approximately 95% of the free programs at the Hillsborough County Libraries are funded by the Friends. Go to www.southshorefriends.com , click on current programs to see the free programs at the SouthShore library.
    Mimi and Tom Rose are the SSFOL board members who did all of the work to arrange for these official Hillsborough County awards. It took a lot of effort on their part. Margret Rials was also very helpful. The book sale room awards included a “very nice” appreciation certificate signed by each Hillsborough County Commissioner, a SouthShore “Kids Art Card” signed by each of the SouthShore FOL board members, and a small gift cart from “Bealls” as a token of appreciation.      
   Volunteers recognized for contributing at least 100 hours working in the Book Sale Room were Ann Baldwin, John Bowker, Linda Bowker, Patricia Brandt, Gladys Bromberger, Richard Bromberger,Roselyn Cruthis, Janet Doherty, Francie Froman, Marie Gorman, Marie Hamly, Bea Hisey, Charlotte Knaub-Turner, Jean Druger, and Rose Stack.  Volunteers recognized for at least 100 hours working inside the library were Carol Bender, Robert Cleary, Gil Evens, Judy Jouglet and Barbara Washington.
  
   SouthShore Regional Library Receive HC 2008 Volunteers of the Year Award  There are 26 libraries and 14 Friends chapters in Hillsborough County and the SouthShore Friends of the Library "are the best"....as announced by the Hillsborough County Friends of the Library Charter Board on April 14, 2009. The award was presented at the annual meeting of the Tampa-Hillsborough Friends of the Library meeting at the John Germany Library. Eloise Hurst, Supervising Librarian at SouthShore, recently said, "Mimi has an enthusiasm for everything she undertakes. A large part of the success of the SouthShore Regional Library book store is due to Mimi's dedication to training, organizing and assisting her group of volunteers" Go to www.southshorefriends.com , Home Page to learn more about the award. Pat Bean, Hillsborough County participated in the award. The plaque commemorating the honor is displayed in the library near the SouthShore Friends Charter Book.  
 
    President’s Announcements by Frances Hereford Those present observed a moment of s; ilence for Roz Cruthis’s husband, Jim, who passed away recently. Roz is Secretary of the SouthShore Friends. Frances asked that current members pay their dues.  If not a member, please join and recruit a friend. She thanked all the volunteers for all their hard work.   There are Board openings for President Elect, Education, Fund Raising and Web Site Maintenance.  Anyone interested, please call Jim Duffy (634-1396) or Frances Hereford (641-0004).
   Staff ReportsEloise said there are many summer programs for family, adults and teens.  The information can now be found online at www.southshorefriends.com, programs, and current programs. Most of the programs are sponsored by the Friends.  Eloise thanked the Friends for all their help at the library.
    Volunteers – Mimi and Tom RoseMimi said since the opening of the Book Sale Room, volunteers have worked 3,600 documentedHours in the Store. She then read the list of names and the hours worked by each volunteer.  Mimi recognized Jim and Joann Duffy for their contributions to the success of the SSFOL. Joe Stines announced that Jim Duffy is the Treasurer of the 501.C3 Charter Friends and expressed his appreciation to Jim for his work for the Friends.
   Treasurer Report - Gail DaaneTotal 2009 income through the end of March was $10,602.75. Total expenses were $9,165.47. The balance in the SouthShore Friends Account is $58,766.83. Gail presented the following comparison 1st Quarter 2008 to 1st Quarter 2009 income:
Income Description                           2008                       2009
Book Bags                                         $320                      $140
Book Sales                                  $6,012                 $9,116
Donations                                           $230                        $97
Membership                                       $850                      $905
Student Art Cards                              $200                        $55
Vending Commission                         $252                      $289
    Jim Duffy - VPThe web site has been updated (www.southshorefriends.com).  It has lots of information about the SouthShore Friends activities. It is also a “portal” to other important sites in SouthShore and the county. He asked for a volunteer to assist with updating the site. We replaced the three tables borrowed from the library. We obtained one free table from the Hillsborough County surplus warehouse. We purchase the additional 2 tables for$200.00. We purchased a video camera ($325.00).  It will be initially used for teen programs. The recorded programs and future event information will be “e-mailed” to the high schools to be broadcast to student homerooms. It is hoped that this will strengthen the tie between libraries and schools. Thanks to Bill Harris, Technical Support Librarian and teen programs coordinator for the idea.
   Thanks to Hillsborough County School Board member Candy Olsen for the new signage on 19th Street. The SouthShore Regional Library name has been added to the Beth Shields School sign at the entrance at 19th Avenue and Beth Shields Lane. Many individuals have “requested” better signage and identification from 19th Avenue. This is a great example of sharing resources with the county school system. While a lot of people implemented this improvement, Candy Olsen started the ball rolling! 
    Recently, there were about 220 children attending a Puppet Show sponsored by the SSFOL. That is about $1.00 per child. This is a good example of what the Friends can help accomplish. Check out the web site to see a picture of the event.
   Jim Duffy and John Bowker will represent the SSFOL at the Greater Sun City Center Community Foundation “Charity Expo” on May 12th. The purpose of the expo is to help charitable organizations begin contacts that may result in future joint projects and donations. Thanks to the GSCCCF for initiated and hosting the event!
     Art – Joan Shalleck (report by Frances Hereford)Thursday, May 5th at 6:30 is the opening of an Art Show by local artist Robi Jackson. Her exhibit features “Images of Fabrics”. Linda Carlson, a dance teacher, will demonstrate dance steps and encourage audience participation. The SSFOL provided refreshments for the opening.
      Newsletter and Genealogy – Jack FischerThe spring 2009 newsletter is out and available in the Café and the Book Sale Room.  The last meeting of the Genealogy Club, before the summer break, will be on May 19th.  Fran Carter will give a talk on land records. Meetings will resume in September. During this recess, the Genealogy room will still be staffed by volunteers. There is a schedule posted inside the room. The Club purchased six tables to donate to the library. The South Bay Genealogical Society has a great website that can be accessed for the Home Page of www.southshorefriend.com, the “bottom right” corner of the page.
     Open Meeting Comments:Jim Harkins said that it is a good idea to keep your Commissioners and State representatives involved and informed about what the Friends are doing at the SouthShore Library. Don’t forget to copy them on announcements of the Friends activities. Send e-mails thanking them and ask for their support.  Jim found a Hillsborough County book with a divider showing a picture of the SSRL and explaining what it’s “all about”. Let’s not keep the SouthShore Regional Library a secret.  Judy Anderson, the featured artist at our first exhibit in the Revolving Art Exhibit, thanked the Friends for all our work to help the library. She thought the reception was very nice. Ann Baldwin expressed her thanks to Tom and Mimi Rose for all their work with SSFOL volunteers.
     The meeting was adjourned at 3:45 p.m. Refreshments were served by Mimi and Tom Rose.
Joann Duffy (for Roselyn Cruthis, Secretary)
Frances Hereford, President