2008 9-18Library Advisory Board September 18, 2008 Members Present: Rick Andrews, Kemp Burdette, Bettie Harrison, Mary Hatcher, Tami Hinshaw, Eleanore Lipscomb-Warren, Marilyn McConnell, Frank
Oddo, Jacqueline O’Grady, Gwen Rohler, Paul Walker Staff Members: Harry Tuchmayer Asst. County Mgr.: Absent Friends of the Lib: Janice Milligan Absent Members: Conrad Luhmann Meeting
began at 2:30 PM New Board Members: Mary Hatcher introduced the two new board members that were selected by the NHC Board of Commissioners. They are Rick Andrews and Marilyn McConnell.
Mr. Andrews is a Wilmington native and the owner of Andrews Mortuary. Mrs. McConnell has lived in Wilmington for the past 20 years and is the owner of A Sales Pro. Public Comment & Agenda
review: No public comments this month. The September Agenda was approved. MINUTES: August 2008 Library Advisory Board Minutes were approved. CORRESPONDENCE: No correspondence this month.
DIRECTORS REPORT: Harry Tuchmayer distributed the September Director’s report. In addition to th?e report, Mr. Tuchmayer highlighted that the Local History department is in the process
of digitizing their map collection. Copy Cat has agreed to host the digital images online and will be able to make reproductions for the public. So far, 350 old maps have been scanned.
The digitalization project is very time consuming and we are pleased to have been able to recently hire a part time staff member to assist in this project. Once the maps are completed,
the next phase will be to enter the rare post card collection.
The Library is currently transitioning our calendar for room reservations to a new software called Evance Solutions. One year ago, we unveiled part of this software (Events Calendar)
with our Summer Reading Club. It allowed the patrons to register for the clubs and post their reviews of books online. Circulation of reviewed books was up due to posted reviews. If
you visit our website (www.nhclibrary.org) you will see the calendar of events on the homepage. This calendar is kept current by the data entered into the Events software. The other
side of the software package is the Evance Meeting Room package. This will allow the Admin. Staff to book meeting rooms at all branches for the public. We are in the process of moving
the reservations from our old software to Evance and will go live on October 1, 2008. The Director’s complete monthly report will be attached to the minutes. FRIEND’S REPORT: Friend’s
President Janice Milligan reported that the Friends of the Library’s focus at the moment is the Fall Booksale. If you have been to the Northeast Branch lately you will have noticed the
tables of books in the lobby and some very busy volunteers in the backroom. Busy sorting and stacking, but laughing, talking and having fun while they are working. What a great place
to volunteer. We owe this great atmosphere to Rita Lewis who has taken over the Booksale Chair and done a fabulous job of organizing. The rest of the Friends Board are being supportive
and doing everything they can to make this the best Booksale to date. We hope to see all of you there. We have purchased a new cash register to make the Booksale more efficient, have
a new free-standing sign, new banners and more signage. Everyone is excited and just about ready to go. Harry and Rita will be doing an interview on WHQR with Jemila Erickson. The dates
for the Booksale are: October 3 Friends Members Preview 6-9 PM October 4-9 9 AM – 3 PM October 5 11 AM – 5 PM October 6-8 9 AM – 6 PM October 9 9 AM – 3 PM We are looking ahead to our
Annual meeting on November 13th at the Main Library and adding some new Board members. Our numbers are quite small at the moment. Dennis has done a great job with our website. We are
working toward our new budget and new and innovative ways we can support and advocate the Library.
COMMITTEE REPORTS: NOMINATING – Paul Walker announced that the nomination for the new slate of officers would be: Mary Hatcher – Chair Jacqueline O’Grady – Vice Chair Conrad Luhmann
-Secretary No other recommendations were made by the board. The motion was made to accept the nominations, it was seconded and passed. The Board recognized the three other committees
that are as follows: Policy Committee Intellectual Freedom Committee (Eleanore Lipscomb-Warren and Paul Walker) To follow ethical and moral guidelines. It is an equal opportunity for
the public to receive diverse material. Strategic Issues Committee (Frank Oddo) Any member of the Board interested in being a member of one of the above committees is asked to email
Mary Hatcher at M03477@aol.com NEW BUSINESS: Strategic Plan Check We are looking at our existing Strategic Plan and will be determining what has been completed, is in progress, or needs
to be added. A copy of the current plan was distributed to all members. Mary Hatcher requested that the Board review the plan and be prepared to make changes and update it at future
meetings. Harry Tuchmayer has spoken with the State Library about potential grants, such as the Planning Grant, that would allow us the finances to complete this project and move it
to the next level. He also mentioned that there may be other grant opportunities that the Library could apply for. Library Ranking Scores Harry Tuchmayer distributed the states ranking
scores on Libraries. See attachment for a copy of this report. Library Conferences Mary Hatcher reported that Ann Marie with the State Library can hold a conference on How To Be An Effective
Library Trustee. Please let Mary know if you are interested in attending this. If we have enough interest, she will pursue it.
Donations The Library Foundation will donate $10,000 to the Library in honor of David Paynter, former Library Director, to purchase books. A name plate will be placed in each book in
recognition of Mr. Paynter. MARK YOUR CALENDAR: The Board will begin listing dates of events and programs that members may like to attend prior to the next board meeting. October 1 Gwen
Rohler’s book store, Old Books on Front St., will host a book signing by Rory Flynn. The Baron of Mulholland: A daughter Remembers Errol Flynn. Rory’s book reveals a side of Errol Flynn
the public has not been exposed to before. October 3 – 9 Friends of the Library Booksale at Northeast Meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.