Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label friends. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Friends Of Franklin Library: Meeting Agenda for Wednesday December 4, 2013


FOFL Meeting Agenda for Wednesday December 4, 2013
Meeting time: 7PM
Meeting place: Franklin Library, Community Room


• Welcome and introductions (Maria)

• Library Director’s report, and request(s) for funds (Felicia)
• Comments and updates from the Library Board of Directors
• Acceptance of minutes from last (November 6) meeting (Vidya)
• Treasurer’s report (Jan)
Vote on library funds requested, if applicable

• Publicity
• Committee updates
o Membership (Joe)
o Outreach – Facebook/Twitter (Phil)
o Downtown Partnership (Barbara)
• Continuing items
o Massachusetts Friends of Libraries (MFOL) membership (Maria)
o Memorial Scholarship
o MBLC meeting

• New Items
o FoFL Bulletin board content
o Session with MFOL representative
o Other (open forum)

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Friends of Franklin Library: Fall 2013 Newsletter


As you are likely aware, recent events have been disruptive to The Friends of Franklin Library. What’s important to make clear, however, is that controversy and resistance have done nothing to weaken our organization.  
In fact, there’s reason to believe that The Friends is now stronger and more committed than it was before this recent turn of events. 
We were disappointed and frankly surprised to be told that the Library Board of Directors did not want us to conduct our planned October book sale. These semi-annual sales of donated books over the years have yielded funds that were used to help our library expand its collections, purchase museum passes, offer programs to the community, enhance library services, and even to buy furniture.  
On Sept. 23, The Friends asked the board to reconsider its decision. That appeal was rejected without a discussion or a vote. 
We disagree with the Library Board’s decision and would have welcomed —and expected— the chance to present data in support of these popular and profitable events, which since 2005 have generated net revenue of $153,734.  
Based on recent book sales, we anticipated our October sale would have raised roughly $6,000, after expenses. As with all of The Friends’ efforts, this profit would have been achieved without any cost to the library or town. 
Despite this setback, The Friends’ desire to support the library remains intact. We will continue to fulfill our mission as community advocates for the library, which we consider an important cornerstone of our community.  
Our organization remains strong and devoted to its mission. We have both the willingness and the resources to provide financial support, as requested, to our public library.

Read the remainder of the newsletter here:




Friends of the Franklin Library * P.O. Box 147 * Franklin, MA  02038 * fofl02038@gmail.com

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Library Board "will not reconsider"

The Library Board of Directors held their September monthly meeting on Monday evening at the Library meeting room. The Board was outnumbered by citizens and members of the Friends of the Franklin Library who came to find out if the October Book sale suddenly canceled at the Aug meeting would be reinstated. 

The meeting began after Chairman Cindy Dobrynski arrived late apologizing for traffic having delayed her. She sternly outlined the requirements for citizens comments, need to be recognized by the Chair before speaking, use of appropriate language and failure to do so could result in removal from the meeting.

Maria Lucier, President of the FoFL, was recognized and read the following statement.
Since 2005 the semi-annual book sales held by the Friends of Franklin library (FoFL) have produced approximately $150,000 in net revenue that has been used to fund books, programs, passes, e-books and numerous other items for the library, including the chairs that everyone at this meeting is sitting on. 
That’s just from the book sales – the FoFL has also received considerable funds from other sources. The last 2 book sales have netted over $13K, and the October book sale would be expected to show over $6K in profits – and all of this is achieved without any cost to the library or town.

These funds have been realized because of the efforts of dedicated volunteers, who put in over 1500 hours a year to make the book sales happen, and who promote the library within their own sphere of influence.

The stated reason for this board’s decision is that the October book sale is not needed due to the popularity of the ‘on-going’ in-house book sale. But there is no reason for the two things to be mutually exclusive, and it makes more sense to supplement the semi-annual book sale revenues with the in-house revenues, resulting in the greatest benefit for the library. 
The FoFL respectfully requests that this board vote tonight to reinstate the October book sale.
After a couple of other members of the audience were recognized and added points to the overall question, Cindy made her statement. The Board's strategic planning process included a survey which began last year. The Board is encouraging the library to seek other sources of revenue. She stated that the quoted dollars of revenue from the ongoing monthly sales (reported at about $150/month) have increased substantially. The Board did not want to wait until this Sep meeting to make their decision. They chose to do so at their scheduled Aug meeting. The minutes from the Aug meeting will be available after they are scheduled for vote at tonight's meeting. She encouraged dialog to go forward preparing and planing for creative fund raising events in the future. The Board is looking to create opportunities to bring people to the Library. They have decided to suspend the Oct Book Sale. They are looking to develop creative events. They don't want to be dependent upon a twice a year book sale. Their objective is to increase patron visits to the Library. The Board will not reconsider their decision.

The Library Board of Directors on Monday evening:

Library Board of Directors: (left to right) Kathleen Gerwatowski, Susan Rittenhouse, Cynthia Dobrzynski (Chairman), Felicia Oti (Library Director), Monique Doyle (Vice Chair) and Sandra Brandfonbrener

Board information

Additional information on the Board can be found on the Library webpage
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Library/about

Reading the minutes from meetings earlier this year was insightful.
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Library/minutes2013/index

In Feb 2013, the Board acknowledged reviewing a gift policy the prior month
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Library/gift.doc

In March, the Board approved "a “books for sale” shelf in the Library"
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Library/minutes2013/MAR2013.doc

In April, the Board acknowledged "exploring the creation of a charitable foundation to develop alternative sources of funding." and that the he Board was scheduled to discuss the book sale "issue" at the May meeting.
http://franklinma.virtualtownhall.net/Pages/FranklinMA_Library/minutes2013/APR2013.doc


Survey
The survey was referenced as still being available on the Library webpage (I did not find it). The Franklin Matters archive does have the link from June 2012 when the survey was announced by the Library blog
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/06/franklin-public-library-survey.html

The survey is still open and results will be made available after the survey closes (no date specified during meeting).


Saturday, September 7, 2013

Franklin Newcomers and Friends to meet on Wednesday, Sep 11

The Franklin Newcomers and Friends meeting will be held Weds, Sep 11 at 3 Restaurant on RT 140. Details can be found in the flyer shown here:




For additional information about the club and its activities, visit their website
http://franklinnewcomers.com/

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

"help our friends in Franklin"

The Milford Daily News reports on the activities of the Friends of Franklin as the holiday season gets underway.

This time of year, the Friends of Franklin get into the act, too. The members of the local charity are busy working behind the scenes to ensure that the holidays are bright for fellow residents who have fallen on hard times. 
On Monday, the Friends put up one of their annual Angel Trees at Shaw's Supermarket in Horace Mann Plaza, hanging it with dozens of angel-shaped tags, each one bearing the special Christmas wish of a Franklin child whose family might not be able to afford it. 
"We put the angels up on the tree and people come and take them and get the things on the tags," said Priscilla Cornetta, Friends co-president with Sheila Hooper. "Each tag has the child's age, clothing size, gender and a gift they would like."

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x719495938/Friends-of-Franklin-begin-gift-drive#ixzz2CrFXg1QF

Sunday, November 4, 2012

November Programs at the Library

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Friends of Franklin Library"
Subject: November Programs at the Library


How to select eReaders

This program will look at the features of eReaders and help you decide which reader is right for you.  Also, included is a demonstration of using the Overdrive service provided by the Minuteman Network and the Franklin Public Library.  eBooks can be checked out and downloaded from Overdrive and then transferred to portable devices such as the Nook, Kindle, iPads, and smartphones.  The library has both Kindles and Nooks preloaded with books available for circulation.

Monday November 5th from 10:30 AM – Noon
Franklin Public Library Meeting Room

Monday December 3rd from 10:30 – Noon
Franklin Public Library Meeting Room

No registration required.



How to Make Holiday Memories with your Digital Photographs

Digital Photographs make it easy to share albums with family and friends and create cards, calendars, ornaments, and other gifts for the holidays.  In this program we will look at free software to edit photos, and sites to upload photos for sharing and ordering a wide array of products.  We will also look at transferring images from you camera to the computer and storage options for large file sizes.

Monday November 19th 10:30 AM to Noon
Franklin Public Library Meeting Room

No registration required.


--

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friends of the Franklin Library * P.O. Box 147 * Franklin, MA  02038 * fofl02038@gmail.com