Friends of the Library
Minutes of the Fall Meeting
October 27, 2006
The Fall Friends of the Library Meeting activities began on 27 October 2006 at 3 PM in the Browsing Room of the Library with a wonderful talk by Mr. John Marsh on “The Middle East –whither???” Mr. Marsh graduated from Bates College and following service in the United States Army where he was a pilot on a B-24’s, Mr. Marsh did graduate work specializing on the Middle East. He worked for the Department of State in the Embassies in New Delhi, Amman, Colombo, and Kuwait and in Washington, DC. Mr. Marsh was a resident on the Island of Cyprus as an independent businessman and has traveled extensively through the Middle East and Europe. He retired in 1988 and moved to Lynchburg in 1989.
Chairman, Ann Reams ’42 convened the Fall Business Meeting of the Friends of the Library in the Browsing Room of the Library on 27 October 2006 at 4 PM. Those present were: Rebecca Ambers, Greg & Edna Armstrong, Nancy Baldwin ’57, Katharine Chase ’67, Laura Glover ’86, Polk Green ’82, Gene and Laura Goley ’52, Adelaide Hapala, Mary Ann and Bill Hostetler, Karen Hyde ’54, John Jaffe, Larry Janow, Lisa Johnston, Debbie Kasper, Liz Kent, Joyce Kramar, George & Ellen Lenz, Helen Lewis ’54, Lloyd and Elizabeth Lipscomb ’59, Joe Malloy, John and Bonnie Marsh, Stephen and Sigrid Mirabella, LaVerne Paige ’06, Ro Putz ’88, Peggy Ann Rogers ’56, Anne Richards ’84, John Risher, Harold Swisher, Deborah Thacker ’77.
Mrs. Reams reported that John Goulde sends his regrets as he is in San Francisco visiting wife’s relatives. Jane Nelson also sends her regrets, but plans on being here for the Spring Meeting.
Mrs. Reams reported that we have a new life member: Winborne Leigh Hamlin ’58.
Mr. Malloy requested that those of you who have e-mail addresses to please give us your address so that we may send FOL notices electronically.
Mr. Malloy also reminded the Friends that we are selling our new Friends tote bags.
Mrs. Reams made a motion to approve the minutes of the spring meeting. The minutes were mailed out to council members before the meeting so that they would have the time to read them and make notes in regards to any questions they might have. The minutes of the Spring Meeting (2006) of the Friends of the Library were approved as submitted.
Membership Committee Report
Connor Forren, Director of Development Communications gave the membership report. Ms. Forren reported that at the end of this past fiscal year (June 30, 2006) the friends had 180 members with a total dollar amount of $14,418.00 as a comparison to 2004/05 where we had 165 members and $11,945.00 in gifts. Ms. Forren remarked that we had a great year and are off to a great start this year. As of October 26 the Friends of the Library had 35 members and $5,385.00 compared to last year at this time when we had only 17 members and $900.00. We also have a new life member, Winborne Leigh Hamlin ’58 who was also known as Winnie. Ms. Forren reported that Joyce Kramar has been working very hard on solicitations and has already sent out one renewal letter to 280 members. She will be soliciting new freshman parents next week and plans for renewals to be sent out again in January and April of 2007.
Ms. Forren invited everyone to attend the dedication of the Jean Ruggles Smith ’41 Technology Center on Friday November 3rd in the library from 6:30 to 7:30 PM.
Mr. Jaffe added that Barbara Smith Young ’71, who is a member of Sweet Briar’s Board of Directors, honored her mother with a substantial gift to the college. She designated that the money be used for a technology center and for resources. The Smith Lab in the library is used for teaching the majority of the computer classes offered to the students and faculty on campus. The fund also supports other labs on campus; i.e. music department. Finally the funds support the purchasing of electronic resources for the students.
Mrs. Reams thanked the library staff for always having the library open for the events that take place on campus. Mr. Jaffe stated that at the last meeting we decided to have tables set up for parents weekend, alumnae weekend, etc, and Lisa Johnston and Stephen Mirabella have done this. They have given out information on the Friends and have sold the Friends of the Library tote bags which have been very well received.
Needs Committee Report
Lisa Johnston gave the Needs Committee Report. The total requests came to $5,804.22. Ms. Johnston stated that we have had a great variety of requests as we usually do especially from Studio Art, Biology, and Creative Writing. Ms. Johnston stated that the Creative Writing requests are for CD replacements of the Cademon Collection of poetry and short stories by famous authors. After reviewing the Needs Requests the Friends approved the purchase of these items.
Events Committee Report
Mr. Malloy gave the Events Committee Report. Mr. Malloy thanked John Marsh for his very informative report. He stated that the Friends of Art will be providing the speaker for the spring meeting and have not decided on the date for the meeting or the speaker. We will let you know as soon as we hear anything. Mr. Malloy stated that we do not have a pre-meeting speaker for our spring business meeting and would love any suggestions.
Publications Committee Report
Mr. Malloy reported that the Library Gazette will come out in April and will feature the Basbanes Book Contest winners again. The Contest is already being advertised.
Finance Committee Report
John Jaffe gave the Finance Committee Report for Professor John Goulde who was in San Francisco with his wife visiting her family. The report is in your folder on green paper. Professor Goulde requests that the Friends accept the proposed budget for 2006/2007 fiscal years. The Friends approved the budget.
Old Business
There was no old business.
New Business
Mrs. Reams discussed the committees and the descriptions of each committee and encouraged council members who would like to serve to please let Mrs. Reams or Joyce Kramar know. I am sure the staff would appreciate your input and we could then have our committee meetings before our regular business meeting.
Stephen Mirabella asked that Mrs. Reams give the names of the committees. They are: Membership Committee; Needs Committee; Finance Committee; Events Committee; and Publications Committee
Mrs. Reams mentioned that John and Bonnie Marsh have some garden books they would like to donate to the library. Mr. Jaffe assured the Marsh’s that the library would be delighted to have the gardening books as the campus has a community garden with about 40-60 participants. Lisa Johnston also mentioned that the Sweet Briar community garden is used for educational purposes with students from biology, environmental studies and some sociology using the garden. Ms. Johnston added that we have a new faculty member in the biology department who is a botanist.
Mr. Marsh explained that 20 years ago when he moved to the area and started to dig and plant in this soil that he began to wonder how in the world one could grow something here. He joined a Master Gardening class and this how many of the books from this collection came about.
Mrs. Reams reminded the friends of all the wonderful events that take place here on campus, many of which are at the Conference Center.
Mr. Jaffe stated that the library staff utilizes the conference center a lot. Mr. Malloy hosted a meeting there this summer of all Interlibrary Loan librarians in the state. Mr. Jaffe will be hosting a meeting next week of all Library Directors in VA and the members of the Virginia State Council of Higher Education.
Mr. Jaffe noted that the fall 2007 meeting has been booked on the college calendar for 27 October 2007. We try to book everything well in advance so as many of you as possible can attend our meeting. This year despite our best efforts there was a faculty meeting scheduled at the same time, which is why we only have a “very select group of faculty” here. As we have mentioned earlier the Friends of Art will be responsible for the Spring 2007 meeting date and speaker. They are meeting next week and are hoping to set the date for the spring meeting then. They are looking at early March, the 2,3, or 4th of 2007. As soon as we know have a definite date and information about the speaker we will notify you and begin making arrangements for that meeting,
Mr. Jaffe reported on the library. Mr. Jaffe mentioned that all the librarians have been extremely active locally and at state and national levels. Mr. Jaffe remarked, “I would like to take a little time and talk to you about library facilities. As you know, we have extensive plans for adding and renovating the library facilities at Sweet Briar and a lot of what has been happening has been behind the scenes in that area. We are now actually starting to make some physical and visible progress on certain aspects of renovations. There is a committee that is going to be reconstituted in the spring to revise all the plans that have been in place since 1995. We need to make sure that everything we are doing is actually what we want to do and that we meet all of the college’ needs thirty years out. This will give us a spring board to begin hiring architects and getting drawings of the things we are actually going to do. In the meantime we have started some changes in the main reading room and the historic part of the library in terms. New furniture is being evaluated by students and staff. New carpeting will proceed over the semester break. We are doing everything we can to refurbish the historic part of the library and do those things that will not have to be changed when the renovations begins. It has been quite an interesting process. I am hoping that when we have our next meeting you will actually see some furnishings and new carpet.”
Mr. Jaffe stated that we are also planning on redoing the Browsing Room. The furniture is all solid walnut from Sweet Briar’s forests and will be retained with new items. Mr. Jaffe stated that we are considering putting down a solid wood floor in the Browsing Room with a large oriental carpet. The friends were very excited about that plan.
Mr. Jaffe invited anyone who would like to, to attend the fall dance concert tonight at 8 PM in Babcock. Faculty and students will be dancing in the program.
Mrs. Marsh asked if Charlotte Morgan, Studio Art professor John Morgan’s wife had spoken here. Mr. Malloy stated that she had.
The meeting was adjourned. |
