Welcome to the Friends of the Libraries & Archives of Texas

Friends of Libraries and Archives of Texas Executive Board Meeting
March 6, 2009 - 1:30 p.m.
Texas State Library & Archives Commission
Lorenzo de Zavala Archives and Library Building
Room 414, 1201 Brazos Street, Austin, Texas

Welcome

Attending: Darryl Tocker, Sue Bilich, Lori Brix, Dianna Dorman, Susan Dorsey, JoAnne M. Moore, Ramon Noches, Pat Smith, Peggy Rudd; joining via conference call: Carol Roark, Marvin Rich, Mickey Schott and Sally Reynolds.

TSLAC & Friends staff: Derick Hackett, Tracy Lash, Charlotte McCann.

Call to Order

Darryl Tocker called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m., following a deli lunch and tour of the newly renovated ground floor.

Reading and approval of minutes from September 12, 2008, board meeting

Minutes were approved subject to the following corrections: under the Texas State Library report, correcting the spelling of Gail Bialas’name; under New Business, inserting the names of Leslie Waggener and Pam Bleisch.

Treasurer’s Report

Darryl Tocker submitted the Treasurer’s Report for the calendar year ending 2008.

Texas State Library Report

Renovation update: Peggy Rudd provided an update on the construction renovation schedule, and the status of funding for it in the Legislature. She applauded the Friends fundraising efforts that have made possible part of the renovation. Responding to an inquiry by Marvin Rich, she told the board that the Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on General Government was evaluating TSLAC’s budget request.

Peggy Rudd will testify before the House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding. TSLAC has requested funding for building expansion, 24 public library construction projects, and expanded broadband access for libraries.

Centennial Plans: Derick Hackett described plans for the March 19 TSLAC Centennial celebration. They include reading a proclamation from the governor, a resolution sponsored by Sen. Kirk Watson and Rep. Donna Howard; a birthday cake and celebration on the South steps of the Capitol, and other activities.

Peggy Rudd distributed the artwork for the Texas Reading Club’s theme for this year: Libraries – Deep in the Heart of Texas. The artist granted permission to modify it to incorporate a Centennial banner.

Capital Campaign & Membership Report

Charlotte McCann provided an update on fundraising since the Sept. 12, 2008 board meeting, reporting on individual gifts and grants. In November, Peggy Rudd sent a solicitation letter to TSLAC vendors. The Friends sent a 2008 end-of-year solicitation letter, including a specific appeal to Friends board members. The Meadows Foundation continues to focus on direct service needs and will not fund capital campaigns for the foreseeable future.

The Friends received a $26,000 grant from AT&T, and a $25,000 contribution from H.E.B., through the efforts of Commissioner Martha Doty Freeman. Pending requests include letters to the Alkek Foundation and the John P. McGovern Foundation. The Friends anticipates hearing from Houston Endowment, Inc., on its $1 million grant request by the end of the month.

The Friends will be holding a cultivation event in Houston during the Texas Library Association Annual Conference. Charlotte is working with TSLAC Chair Sandy Pickett on this event.

Darryl Tocker announced that Texas Online, thanks to the efforts of Peggy Rudd, has added a link to the Capital Campaign on the home page of its web site. This should give the campaign much greater visibility.

Old Business:

Darryl Tocker announced the program for the Friends Annual Membership Meeting on April 1 at Texas Library Association Conference in Houston. It will be a history of the State Library presented by David Gracy, Pam Bleisch, and Leslie Waggener, reprised from a similar presentation at the 2008 Texas State Historical Association meeting.

Peggy Rudd asked if the Friends would fund a Centennial birthday cake at the program. Darryl agreed.

Darryl reiterated the new Friends URL: www.texaslibraryfriends.org.

New Business:

Board Nominations

Darryl asked Mickey Schott, JoAnne Moore, and Marvin Rich, whose terms were expiring in April, to continue for another term. He then nominated the existing slate of incumbents as officers and board members. He will be glad to extend his term for an additional three years, and to continue to serve as president, if elected, for one more year.

Budget 2009

Darryl Tocker proposed a 2009 budget based on 2008 figures, with adjustments the following categories:

Ordinary Income, Interest is projected at $10,000
Total Income is adjusted proportionally to $1,295,000.
Expense: Auto expense is adjusted to $500.
Other Expense, Capital Campaign, is adjusted to $800,000.
Other Expense, Legislative Reception is adjusted to $0.

Mickey Schott moved approval, Carol Roark seconded his motion, and the budget was approved by acclamation.

The board approved the 2009/2010 executive board meeting schedule as follows:\

Friday, June 19, 2009
Friday, Sept. 11, 2009
Friday, Jan. 22, 2010
Friday, Mar. 19, 2010

The meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m.