Friends of the Mission Hills/Hillcrest Knox Library
January 28, 2023
The meeting was held in conference rooms at the Mission Hills/Hillcrest Harley and Bessie Knox Library. The meeting was called to order at 10:00 A.M. by Anne Box, President. An attendance list is at the end of the minutes.
Minutes: The minutes of the November 19, 2022, meeting were approved as submitted by Pat Littell. There was no meeting in December.
Financials: Don Rudesill presented October through December financial reports. October book sales were $2,462.65, November $2,077.52 and December $2,311.28. Total sales for the period were $6,851.45. Of the total, bookstore sales including cash and Square, were $4,484.81. Amazon sales were $2,126.52, ABE sales were $154.85, and book cart and donations were $85.27. Memberships and other donations and bank interest totaled $2,400.34. Of the total, we gained one new life member and, thanks to Chuck Leib’s membership drive, we received $775.00 in previous lifetime member donations. Total income for the three months totaled $9,560.84.
Expenses for the three months were $16,392.94. The bulk of this was money sent to Matching Funds. The Matching Fund for books received $10,000 and the Matching Fund for Equipment $3,000.00. Bookstore supplies totaled $568.97and non-matching gifts to the library totaled $1,751.78.
The total in all accounts was $159,896.65 at the end of December.
We approved an expense for the holiday food and beverages for the library staff of $411.85. The expense was previously agreed upon, but the amount was not known in advance.
A donation of $300.00 from the Joyce Axelrod Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation will be acknowledged in a thank you that Chuck Leib will send.
Librarian’s report: Steve wheeler provided Special Fund balances. Materials has $6,231.55, Equipment and Supplies $9,178.71, Performers and Contracts $7,301.71. The Trust Fund, which is currently unmatched, has a balance of $10,466.93. Steve also explained how the Matching Funds are apportioned.
Steve said that expenses included weekly sign language for babies classes at $150.00. Expenses for performers were $275.00 for Richard Lederer on November 19th, a presentation on the Library of Congress on December 19th was $300.00, and a family concert on December 3rd was approximately $300.00.
Anne Box explained that Corporate Friends wants Friends group contributions to a program to be noted and given credit. This would include statements such as “Sponsored by the Friends of the Mission Hills/Hillcrest Library.” We agreed that is important for the community to know what the funds of the Friends are used for.
Steve reported on upcoming events at the branch. Today is Elizabeth St. John presenting “Godmother’s Secret.”
The concert series is on the last Tuesday of each month. The next performance will be by Diego Guerra.
The monthly film series is on the first Friday of each month. The February film will be “Do the Right Thing” on February 3rd at 3:30 P.M. A children’s film, Akeelah and the Bee,” will be shown on the third Friday of February.
On Saturday, February 4th, Richard Lederer will present “Presidential Trivia.”
On Saturday, February 11th, the event will be “C’est L’amour.” On Saturday, February 18th, the city is providing “Healthy Cooking.”
On Saturday, March 4th, there will be a presentation “Introduction to Indian Classical Music.”
OASIS will present “Ancient Egyptian Art” on Monday, March 13th. Details of all events are on our website and are posted in the branch.
Steve requested $132.29 for Tinker Tuesdays for a machine repair. He also asked for $72.99 for a cart to haul supplies, and a package of wipes to provide as needed for the homeless for $18.99 plus tax. This item is for a trial. All items were approved.
Steve reminded us that April is Poetry Month. We will have events as usual.
Bookstore: Holly Murten said that sales are going well. She mentioned that some items on the on-line shelves in the store are not listed, and that two items could not be located recently when requested by buyers. Please do not add to or remove anything from the shelves in the back room. She reminded those who do shipping to double check that the mailing envelopes have the correct label.
Susan Chenven said that we have 90 items posted on ABE Books. We recently sold and shipped a set of 30 Dickens books at $250.00. The package was heavy and difficult to pack, but media rate shipping was only $39.95. Susan also said that we need a storeroom key. If we accidentally lock the storeroom now, we have no way to get in. Steve said that he will check for a key, and if there is not one, he can request a city locksmith.
Jean Stein reported that all volunteer shifts are now filled. Pat Littell suggested that shifts with only one volunteer should have two when we add more volunteers.
Mary Rose Mueller suggested having an event for the bookstore volunteers in the spring. We agreed that it is a good idea so that volunteers can meet others.
Website: Al Hoefer reviewed expenses related to the website and to Square, our credit card processing system. Total yearly expenses were $498.88. The previous year they were $532.87. Nancy Carol Carter suggested asking members to pay the Square processing fee when becoming or renewing memberships, especially lifetime memberships. The fees are on a percentage basis.
Membership: Chuck Leib reported that requesting donations from those with existing life memberships has been successful. Now Chuck will email existing annual members for renewals. Chuck said that we finally have new membership envelopes available which he will get for future memberships.
Corporate Friends: Anne said that Corporate is emphasizing inclusivity in programs and volunteers. She also said that Skyline branch needs books. Anne will check on the situation.
Roundtable: No other issues.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 A.M. The next meeting will be Saturday, February 25th at 10:00 A.M. as usual.
Attendance: Anne Box, Steve Wheeler, Chuck Leib, Sue Eubanks, William Huntly, Jean Stein, Holly Murten, Marilyn Harkins, Don Liddell, Elaine Kalin, Nancy Carol Carter, Kim McDaniel, Susan Chenven, Mary Rose Mueller, Larry Doria, Bernard Dembron and Pat Littell