Report of the Chairperson

The first year of the Friends of the Lindsay Public Library has been a year of steady growth after the initial founding meeting in the spring of 1999.  It was followed by months of planning and organizing by a key group of supporters to culminate in our first General Meeting in September, 1999, with special guest, Val Marshall, from the Ajax Friends of the Library.

We have been successful in organizing projects such as the Home Book Service, the Friends Book Club and Special Author evenings that are strongly supported by our members.  Our key fundraising activity, Book Sales, as well as other projects such as Library Book Bags, raise funds and promote the organization in the community.  Our entertaining and informative Newsletter has kept the membership informed on Friends’ activities.

The projects and activities of the Friends are successful only with the strong support of our membership, both finance and activity related.  Thanks to all our members for this support.  A special thank you goes to members of the Steering Committee who have given enthusiastically of their time and talents to the organization - Eileen Anderson, Noreen Brasier, Denham Dingle, Janet Girdler, Merv. Locke, Lois Magahay, Helen Roberts, Moe Wileman and Ian Wilson.

We look forward to the coming year with plans to increase our membership, continue and enhance programmes already in place, welcome new ideas from our membership and continue the process of Incorporation and Charitable Status registration.

Diane Lansdell, Chairperson
 

Report of the Fund-Raising Co-ordinator

The Book Sales, supervised by Eileen Anderson, have been our most profitable endeavour for the year.
 
One day a week, during August and September, we have manned a table in the lobby of the Library to sell our merchandise.  Members have taken two hour sessions.  At first we were open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. but found that most of our sales are between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. so have reduced the hours of business accordingly.

 Our involvement in RiverFestival gave us exposure to the general public and generated a reasonable profit.

None of these endeavours would have been possible without the support of the members.  The hours given by so many members in sorting books, manning the Book Sales, setting up, taking down and working at RiverFestival is a true indication of your support.  Thank you all.

Item                        Quantity        Expenses      OnHand/Value              Sales                 Profit

Book Sales       $ 242.37    $ 3301.05 $ 3058.68

2000 Calendar              26     $ 169.70      Nil   $   260.00 $     90.30

Book Marks              98            Nil      29   $     72.00 $     72.00

Hasti Hotes              29            Nil       9      $      60.00 $     60.00

Post Cards              Nil    $        1.80 $       1.80

Tote Bags            102     $ 494.39  70     $339.29  $    192.00 $  (302.39)

Score Cards           1000     $   37.29 258      $9.62  $      60.00 $     22.71

Pens             300     $ 264.45 102     $89.91  $    273.00 $       8.55

Iron-On Transfers 26     $     1.00  20      $1.18  $        8.00 $       7.00

Pictures   3            Nil      Nil   $       50.00 $     50.00

C’ssion on Sales       $       12.00 $     12.00
(Munroe Scott)
 
Totals        $ 1209.20      $ 440.00  $   4289.85 $ 3068.65

Lois Magahay, Fund Raising Co-ordinator
 

Report of the Membership Secretary

At the end of our first year of operation, the roster shows a total of 59 memberships, as follows:

Individual: 44         Family: 13  Complimentary: 2

While this number falls a bit short of what we had hoped for at the outset of the year, it is felt that the exposure gained through our projects and community involvements will attract more people to become members as time goes on.
 
When our registered charity status is finalized, a campaign will be undertaken to encourage businesses and clubs to take out memberships.  Hopefully, this will happen in the next year.

Ian Wilson, Membership Secretary
 

Report of the Newsletter Editor

The Friends newsletter was established as a monthly publication that would keep our membership informed about the operations of the organization - primarily, what we have been doing and how successful we have been at doing it and what activities we have planned for the future.  The first publication was the January 2000 edition.

The style of our newsletter has been left pretty well to the editor.  Committee Chairpersons have submitted information that they wish to have included to the editor prior to the deadline date of the second Thursday of the month.  Newsletters themselves have a deadline of the third Thursday to ensure that members will receive their newsletters prior to the monthly General Meeting held on the last Wednesday of each month.

The newsletter is distributed in accordance with a Membership List provided by the Membership Secretary.  This list contains both mailing and e-mail addresses.  Wherever possible e-mail is used for reasons of economy, simplicity and speed.  Where actual delivery of the newsletter is required, our President has made copies and arranged to have these delivered either by hand or by Canada Post.

This process seems well suited to our needs.  I see no reason for revising it at this time.

Moe Wileman, Newsletter Editor
 

Report of the Programme Co-ordinator

The position of Programme Co-ordinator was activated on January 26th, 2000.  The suggested programmes to be developed as an extension of the services of the library to the community were a Home Book Service and a Book Club.

Home Book Service

 The first meeting of the Home Book Service was held on February 3rd with twelve interested members attending.  Monthly meetings were held as the questions of geographical boundaries, areas of need in the community, methods of application and publicity were clarified.  Letters of introduction and explanation of the Home Book Service were sent to each of the area churches along with a poster.  Each member visited an institution, the health unit or apartment sectors to distribute posters and explain our service.  Posters were also used in the library lobby as well as at the monthly book sales.  Brochures were printed for distribution by church groups and health units.  Having established the means and methods for the service, no further meetings were scheduled.
Once clients have requested our service, a member contacts the individual to establish a friendly relationship and to make a suitable arrangement with regard to types of books desired and timing of delivery and pick-up.  A total of thirteen people have received our service, three of whom were temporary.  At present, ten people are receiving our service under the care and attention of nine members.  Much praise and thanks are due these devoted members.
In retrospect, it would seem that although much was accomplished in the preparation of the service, more could have been accomplished in the area of publicity.  Use of the local papers and displays in medical offices or pharmacies might have resulted in a greater response from the public. However, what must be realized is that a large majority of shut-ins are, and have been for many years, receiving library books from concerned and caring neighbours and relatives.

Book Club

The first book club meeting was held on February 10th, 2000, at 5 pm in the Carnegie Room.  Although the first meetings were enjoyed by all, they were sparsely attended and so it was decided to change the meeting time to 2:30 in the afternoon.  This proved to be a popular time and our membership gradually increased.  Tea and coffee were a part of the afternoon gathering.

The members decided that informality and fellowship are an important part of the book club and further, that they wished to access the library’s considerable selection, rather than to be forced to purchase books.  To this end, it was decided that topics would be chosen for each month rather than specific book titles.  Each member is, therefore, free to discuss any book of his/her choice which falls in the topic category.  This method, although unorthodox, proved to be most enjoyable.  Everyone relished the opportunity to share his/her passion for a particular book with the other members and consequently, often new and interesting authors were added to members’ individual reading lists.  The attendance varies, but generally at maximum totals twelve.

In future sessions, if all members agree, each member will take a turn as discussion leader to help keep our discussions on course as there were occasional bouts of digression, albeit enjoyable diversions.  Members will also decide if they wish to continue with the theme of discussions of titles of their own choice under chosen topics, or if they would like to discuss pre-determined book titles each month.  Twelve or fourteen members are a comfortable number, and if numbers increase it may be advantageous to provide an evening book club for people who are unable to attend during the day, or if desired, a second daytime group.

Speakers

Prior to filling the position of programme co-ordinator, the Steering Committee arranged “An Evening With Munroe Scott” held February 28th, 2000, in conjunction with the “Spirit of the Arts Week.”  Mr. Scott discussed the background and writing of his book, The Carving of Canada, and read excerpts therefrom.  It was extremely interesting and successful although the attendance by the general public was disappointingly sparse.  At the conclusion of the evening, Mr. Scott sold and autographed books, and refreshments were served.

 The decision to invite speakers to the General Meetings was put forward to the Steering Committee on March 14th.  The Steering Committee decided that only volunteer speakers from the membership would be invited to speak at the General Meetings.  As a result, we were pleased to present Professor Thumbs (alias Ed. Smith), speaking about “My Life in Magic” on May 24th, and Ian Wilson on “Genealogy” at the June 28th meeting.  Steve Watts had offered to speak to us on “Gemstones” in April but unfortunately, his teaching schedule caused an unavoidable cancellation.

In the future, two area authors are expected to appear in an “Evening With . . .” format for the general public.  Also returning by popular demand will be Ian Wilson on “Genealogy.”  For discussion by the future executive, is the suggestion that speakers from outside the membership be allowed to speak at General Meetings to augment the member speakers.  It would also be better to invite speakers to appear on a quarterly time frame rather than at every monthly General Meeting.

Janet Girdler, Programme Co-ordinator
 

Report of the Publicity Co-ordinator

Publicity for events of the Friends of the Lindsay Public Library included submissions to the Community Calendars of the Lindsay Daily Post, Lindsay This Week, Lindsay Cable 10, Y92 Radio and Whitney Town Centre (through the County of Victoria Development Department), poster and flyers in the Library and around town as required, press releases in the local newspapers and notices in the Friends monthly newsletter.

An easel was set up in the lower foyer of the Library to display information concerning the activities of the Friends and membership information.

Publicity for “An Evening with Munroe Scott” included (along with the above mentioned ) posters to the Library Branches of the Victoria County Library system, information in the “Spirit of the Arts” week flyer and invitations to local Literary Clubs.

Diane Lansdell, Publicity Co-ordinator
 

Report of the Social Convenors

Refreshments have been provided for the monthly meetings , with tea served at the Book Club sessions.  Coffee, tea and juice were served also at a few pre-Book Sale work evenings.

We wish to thank Loblaws for the donation of a cheese tray for “An Evening with Munroe Scott” in February.

We appreciate those who brought food, helped in setting it out and/or cleaned up.

Janet Girdler, Noreen Brasier, Social Convenors

 
Report of the Treasurer: Annual Financial Statement
(Year Ending August 31st, 2000)

Revenue                                  $                                Budget                        $

Donations   137.00           150.00
Memberships   665.00           700.00
Fund Raising   988.80         2500.00
Book Sales 3301.05
Munroe Scott Evening     66.00
               $ 5157.85                              $ 3350.00
 
 

Expenses   $     $

Office Supplies  223.21 Office Supplies
Event Promotion    25.00       and Postage    400.00
F.O.C.A.L.    25.00 Miscellaneous    600.00  Memberships: 50.00
RiverFestival  160.50        Workshops:     50.00
Postage    68.62      Programmes: 500.00
Advertising    81.87 Advertising    200.00
Printing    70.16 Legal Fees    500.00
Cheques    18.53
Bank Charges    23.13 Bank Charges      50.00
Fundraising Expenses  564.82 Fundraising Expenses 800.00
Social    57.94 Social    100.00
Logo Competition    98.77 Donation to Library    700.00
                              $ 3350.00
                                            1417.55   $ 1417.55

                            Surplus                    $ 3740.30

Surplus Represented By:
                  - Inventory            440.00
                  - Bank Balance   3283.78
                  - Petty Cash            16.52  $ 3740.30
 

Reviewed and Deemed Correct                                Submitted by

(Signed) Fraser M. Spittal (C.A. Scot.)                     (Signed) Eileen Anderson, Treasurer
 
 
 

(Compiled and circulated by Denham Dingle, Recording Secretary, in whose files the originals reside.)