Meeting Minutes—2001
Friends of Libraries & Archives of Texas Membership Meeting
Texas Library Association Annual Conference
March 29, 2001
4:00 p.m.–5:20 p.m.
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio
Board members present: |
Patrick Heath, president |
Michael Schott, treasurer |
|---|---|---|
| Jan Moltzan, vice president | Patricia Smith | |
| Sandy Melton, commission liaison | S. Joe McCord | |
| David Gracy | JoAnne Moore | |
| Mary McAfee |
Board members absent:
President Patrick Heath called the meeting to order. Approximately 50 people were in attendance.
1. Introduction of Board members and Texas State Library staff.
President Heath introduced the Board members present, as well as Director and Librarian Peggy D. Rudd and Commission members Sandra Pickett, Elizabeth Sanders, and Kenneth Carr.
2. Open discussion of the vision and activities of the Friends.
Peggy Rudd led a lively discussion of the future activities of the Friends. She asked attendees to envision the Friends of Libraries & Archives of Texas five years from the present time: 2006. The group is wildly successful. Ms. Rudd asked attendees to envision the Friends: what does the group look like in 2006? What projects has it accomplished?
Participants offered the following:
- taken every representative and senator to lunch at least once
- raised enough money to double the number of talking books
- fundraising
- endorsement- we are looking at ways to spend huge sums
- construction has begun on new State Library and Archives building with big parking lot close to Capitol.
- archives in branches all over the state
- newsletter to go out to local libraries and other groups
- newspapers print articles focused on historical events w/ photos from archives
- aggressive public relations dept. that disseminates all press stories
- create scholarships and internships to increase number of professional librarians to aid small communities
- every Texan has a library card
- archives staff sufficient to process items received
- paid administrator
- archives and special collections digitized available on the Internet
- State Librarian put on same salary schedule as other state agency heads
- organized one million (reader) person march on Austin (target date: 1/2003)
- outreach to local friends
- speaker's bureau
- conduct statewide campaign for libraries- where they are and what they do
Ms. Rudd then asked participants to prioritize their list. What three items should be accomplished first? Participants felt all of the suggestions were important, but noted that public awareness of the group was crucial in the beginning stages. A newsletter should be distributed widely, and many marketing activities should be planned. A paid administrator should be a top priority, as well as the one million reader march. Fundraising is also very important.
Friends of Libraries USA Executive Director Sandy Dolnick suggested that the new group focus on diversity. Ms. Rudd acknowledged Ms. Dolnick.
Due to time constraints, President Heath ended the discussion and thanked the attendees for their creative suggestions and ideas.
3. Membership and organizational dynamics.
Mary McAfee outlined various aspects of the organization:
a. Membership dues/benefits�Benefits of all memberships currently include the quarterly newsletter "Friends Forecast" and a Friends lapel pin. Other benefits may be added later. An annual membership meeting will be held each year during TLA annual conference. Dues are as follows: Student $10, Senior (+65) $10, Individual $25, Family $40, Affiliate Organizations $35, Business Friend $100. Memberships run through Dec. 2001. Charter memberships run through Dec. 2002. Charter dues are as follows: Student $50, Senior (+65) $50, Individual $100, Family $150, Affiliate Organizations $100, Business Friend $300.
b. Role of the Board and Executive Committee�The program and fiscal year will be Jan. 1 - Dec. 31. The Board member terms will be from May 1 - April 30 each year. The current Board suggested it stay in place for this first year to continue developing the structure and activities of the Friends. Following the procedures outlined in the current By-laws, a nominating committee will make recommendations to the membership for Board members (with staggered terms) and officers, to be elected during TLA conference 2002. After that election, the group will be on course with the By-laws.
President Heath thanked Ms. McAfee. President Heath stated that soon after TLA 2001, the Board will meet to continue development of the Friends and will set the pattern for one or more general meetings of the Friends every year, with one of those meetings being at TLA annual conference. In addition, there might be occasional regional gatherings of the Friends across the state throughout the year. Between meetings, Friends will be kept abreast of organizational activities and issues.
Mary McAfee stated that the membership vote on the proposals that were outlined during this agenda item, and then moved to accept the proposals. Member Marvin Rich seconded. Motion passed.
4. Wrap up
President Heath thanked the attendees for their presence, and announced that refreshments were available outside the meeting room. He invited attendees to become members by giving their membership forms and money to State Library and Archives staff person Erica McKewen or Board member David Gracy.
Sandy Melton publicly thanked two generous donors to the Friends. Southwestern Bell donated $10,000 to the Friends group in 1998. Sullivan-Perkins, a graphic design company in Dallas, Texas, provided assistance with the development of the Friends' logo.
The meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m.
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