Welcome to the Friends of the Libraries & Archives of Texas

Friends of Libraries and Archives of Texas
Board Meeting
January 19, 2007
Lorenzo de Zavala Archives and Library Building
Room 202, 1201 Brazos Street,
Austin, Texas

Welcome and Refreshments
In attendance: Darryl Tocker, Sandy Melton Stephens, JoAnne M. Moore, Dianna Dorman, Susan Dorsey, Tracy Lash, Kathleen Jenkins, Erica McKewen and Peggy Oster.

Call to Order
Darryl Tocker, President called the meeting to order.

Reading and approval of minutes from July 7, 2006, board meeting
No changes or additions, minutes were approved and sent into the Minute Book.

Treasurer’s Report
Darryl gave the treasurer’s report for Mickey Schott, who was absent. “There is lots of money, and lots of accounts.” The majority of the funds have been moved to Frost Bank and there is a balance of $9,232. There is around $1,350 in Frost Bank for the building fund and a little over $780 in Austin Community Foundation. Also, there has been a very generous $1,000 donation from Sandy. Darryl thanked everyone for his or her contributions.

Texas State Library Report
Building Renovation Update:
Erica reported that building renovations are currently on hold. The legislature appropriated 15.5 million to Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) for building renovations, however the price tag came in much higher at around 37 million. A second request has gone to the Legislative Budget Board for 20 million. A meeting was held with Senator Ogden, TSLAC staff and a representative from Texas Building and Procurement Commission (TBPC) to discuss the large price difference. Currently no work will get started until TSLAC is clear on the support they need to receive from the Legislature. It is anticipated that one to two months into the current session TSLAC should know what direction they need to go in.

The Friends group still wants to assist with a fund raising campaign, however, they will not move forward until TSLAC receives an answer and then it is determined how the group can assist.

Sunset Commission Update:
Twelve more years of life have been breathed into TSLAC. During the current legislative session a bill will be written and submitted concerning the outcome of the Sunset process and TSLAC.

Membership Report
76 current members, up from the 60 that were reported in July.

Old Business:
Darryl is recommitted to getting grants out for TSLAC’s digitization work. He has several meetings lined up with foundations and is in the process of fine-tuning the grant application process.

The presentation for the 2007 Texas Library Association Conference needs to shift somewhat; the focus can remain on the renovation/building/remodeling process, however, just shift a little to spotlight more on TSLAC’s responsibilities. Membership meeting for the Friends is on April 12th from 10:15 to 11:50 with the Commission meting right after.

Kathleen Jenkins with Texas Stories Program announced their Web site www.texasstories.com is up and running. The program is working on an e-Newsletter as a way to reach the public in ways that the public would like to be reached. One of the features will be a “What’s my story?” that would launch on a Friday and then individuals would go to the Web site to give their answer. The Friends’ logo appears at the bottom of each of these Web pages and links back to their home page. Texas Stories has had many delays, but these delays have allowed Kathleen to recreate the project and the result has been as positive.

Lynn Boswell with the Bill Malone Documentary was not able to attend and report, as her mother is terminally ill, and her project is currently on the back burner. Lynn however still remains very committed to the project.

New Business:
Legislative Day Reception is scheduled for Tuesday, February 6. TLA (Texas Library Association) wants to pay for the event and are okay with the price tag. Dianna and Jo Anne agreed to co-chair the event again this year. This year’s event will focus on Texas flags, the Travis letter and the Constitution. The event may feature a reenactment of the Archives War or people dressing in authentic period costumes.

Board of Directors whose terms expire in April 2007 are Ramon Noches, Nelda Laney, Diana Dorman and Susan Dorsey. Darryl will send letters out to inquire if these people would like their names to appear on the slate of officers list that will be presented at the April 2007

There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted –
Susan Smith Dorsey, Secretary