April 2024 Minutes

June 21, 2024

The Friends of the Swansboro Library general meeting was called toorder at 10: 05 am, Paula Patselas presiding. Attending were: Paula Patselas (president), Stephanie Edwards (LibraryBranch Director), Deborah Ruzicka (secretary), Christina Ramsey, JudyFitzpatrick (vice-president), Franco Pagnucci, Susan Pagnucci, Pam Morton,Margie Graser, Phyllis Scanlon, Rebecca Clark, Susan Burkhard, Jay Whelan, andDave Brown.

The minutes of the May 17, 2024 general meeting werereviewed and moved to approve by Susan Pagnucci and seconded by DaveBrown.  Minutes were approved and will bearchived*.

Paula began by questioning if members are receiving thecommunications via email through MailChimp. A couple of folks reported they are not.  If you are NOT receiving communications fromFOSL, please contact Paula or Jay so your email address can be verified foraccuracy.

Stephanie Edwards,Library Manager:  Summer is here and thelibrary is busy!  The summerreading program started with a kick-off partyon June 8th, with 350 attendees. Stephanie was pleased to announce that the county budget was approvedand expansion of the Swansboro branch of the library is included in that budget. More details forthcoming. Of course, Stephanie is always planningahead.  This fall will bring many programs;World of Spice, Meals for busy families, exercise, gardening, Crystal CoastGhosts Tours, de-stressing with yoga, basics of starting a small business, andmore.  The statistics for libraryattendance, utilization and programs for May were presented and will bearchived*.  Stephanie requested theFriends fund the purchase of a new order ofbookmarks for the library. The last order was in April 2023. Judy Fitzpatrickmoved to spend up to $250 for the purchase of packs of bookmarks.  Jay Whelan seconded, and the motion passed.

Jennifer Whaley, OCPLDirector:  Jennifer was unable to attend today’s meeting and StephanieEdwards conveyed pertinent news from Jennifer related to the inclusion of theSwansboro Library expansion in the recently approved Onslow County budget for2025.

Jay Whelan,Treasurer/Membership:  Jay gave the treasuryand membership reports.  Paper copies of the reports are attached andarchived*.

Deborah Ruzicka, Secretary/Book Sale Coordinator:  As reported at the last meeting, after theMay book sale we placed the hardback book carts back in the library storage roombecause we did not have enough strong volunteers available to get them into thestorage shed.  Jay contacted ShaunGriffin to re-do the ramp to the storage shed, as it was inadequate.  The ramp is now wider with a less steep grade than previously.  Jay generouslycovered the cost of the new ramp. Stephanie contacted Paula recently to say that the Onslow County safetyinspector reminded again that items be removedfrom the library back hall,necessitating the book carts be removed from the storage room and asked that we get the carts moved to the shed so thelibrary could use the back storage room.  Jay, Hahn, Deborah and her husband Lou movedthem last week.  The new ramp helped, butwe all realized that Hahn and Deborah would not be able to push the carts upthe ramp and get them over the lip into the shed by themselves.  It takes at least one person of strength topush and lift, and another to steer.  Weare going to need strong, able-bodied, reliable volunteers to move the books with every book sale process. Jay knows of fourmen who would be able to help if requestedahead of time and Deborah should contact themdirectly before each sale to get a commitment. If we can get at least two each time,that should suffice.  He is sending Deborahtheir information. However, other members can help by reaching out toadditional volunteer possibilities to assistus with the manual labor involved with conducting book sales every othermonth.  Also, Paula was able to get acontact name with United Way and is looking into getting some help from that source. Susan Burkhard mentioned an insert that can be purchasedto help handicapped people get over door jambs with wheelchairs, whichcan be helpful with the ease of moving the rolling carts up the ramp andthrough the door opening.  She is going to get information on where toobtain the device for Deborah. 

Our next book sale is July 13th.  Please consider volunteering and contact deborahruzicka@gmail.com

We are still seeking a corresponding secretary to assume therole of new member follow up notes and personal welcome, writing thankyou notes to new business sponsors and anyone who makes donations of cash,books or other items. Please contact Paula to learn more about this position.

Paula Patselas, SocialMedia & Public Affairs:  Paula is stilllooking for a volunteer to help with the technology aspects of Facebook and MailChimp,flyers and publication design and updates.

Pamela Morton,Historian:  Pam reports that she iscaught up and current with the historical archives files!  Thank you, Pam.  Paula and Pam are discussing the possibilityof organizing a social event, similar to the August 2023 Summer Social at theHeritage Museum, with a focus to specificallyshowcase the Friends historical archives. Itwas suggested that this might be co-hosted with the history museum inSwansboro.  Pam can be contactedat: ptmorton@ec.rr.com

Christina Ramsey,Business Membership Committee:  DaveBrown reported today that the Business Committee met on June 11 to reviewcontinued progress reaching out to community businesses, obtaining businesslevel sponsorships. More details are in the planning for business sponsorshipsignage display and a few recent tweaks in the charitable donation document.This committee is an active group of fundraisers and Friends ambassadorsand due to meet again in July. Members currently include: Christina Ramsey,Chairperson, Dave Brown, Doris Tursi, Judy Fitzpatrick and Paula Patselas, withJay Whelan available as consultant as required. Additional members are welcomeand encouraged to contact Christina Ramsey at: cr93847@aol.com

Military Appreciation Day on June 1st went very well.  Beautiful day with good attendance.  The Boy Scouts on site nearby were veryhelpful assisting with setting up for the Friends.

PaulaPatselas attended aBogue Banks Library social and tour on May 21st.  Bogue Banks Friends President, Betsy Mercerhosted and took the attending group on a tourof the library, to include the main library, a conference room/ artgallery, with display of a local artist exhibit, the Friends monthly silentauction display, and the permanent Book Nook. Refreshments were served andattendees enjoyed casual discussion of Friends happenings.

Little Free Libraries,Judy Fitzpatrick:  Little Free Libraries arein good shape.  Becoming chartered wasagain brought up.  The cost is $50 to beadded to the national LFL database for each LFL, plus possibleincidentals.  Franco Pagnucci moved thatwe take the steps to charter our LFLs. Deborah Ruzicka seconded.  A unanimous vote for $150 was approved and Judy Fitzpatrickwill move forward with the process to register both LFLs.

Grant Research Committee,Brenda Johnson, Dave Brown, Susan Burkhard, Paula Patselas:  Grant writing workshop plans are still being considered.  Paula will be intouch with Senatra Spearman again to attempt to set up a workshop date at theSwansboro Library in late August or early September. Stanley CountyPublic Library in Albemarle, NC (near Charlotte) will host a regional Friendsof the Library Meeting with sessions to include grant writing, fundraising,library projects and round table discussions on August 3 as a one-day workshop.Registration is required by July 26th. If anyone would like to attend this workshop,please contact Paula for more information. See attached flier as well which hasa QR code.

Summer Social, JudyFitzpatrick:  Judy has contacted, andis waiting to hear from Amelia Dees-Killette from the Heritage Museum inSwansboro regarding availability dates to host a repeat Summer Social.  She will give an update as soon as she hasinformation.  We are considering a collaborative eventwith the Historical Society which might include showcasingof our archives as well.

Barry Fetzer & DaveBrown will host “A Fall Presentation & Social - An Author’s Perspective” on October 24, 2024, at5 pm at Preston’s Corner Restaurant.  Acopy of the flier for the event is attached*.  There will be refreshments and discussion on thespectrum of the preliminaries and process from book writing concept throughpublication and beyond.  Dave and Barry will have their books for saleand signing.

The 70th Annual SwansboroMullet Festival will be held on October 12 & 13.  The Friends have been donated a booth byFirst Citizens Bank, courtesy of Shannon White. Planning will begin byearly August.  We need a chairperson forthe committee and committee volunteers no later than the July meeting. 

The Executive Committee will meet Tuesday, July2nd at 4:30 pm.  Informationfrom the meeting will be reported at the July FOSL general meeting.

Next Book Sale:  Saturday,July 13, 2024, 9 am – 1 pm Please consider volunteering for:  set up on Friday the 12th at 3 pm,Book Sale anytime from 9 am to 1 pm, take down and put away at 1 pm on the 13th.  Contact Deborah at deborahruzicka@gmail.com  We need you!   

Next Friends Meeting:  Friday,July 19, 2024, 10 am

Door prizes,  President Paula Patselas raffled off twovases of flowers today to celebrate summer. Deborah Ruzicka and Susan Pagnucci took them home.

Deborah Ruzicka moved to adjourn, seconded by FrancoPagnucci.   Meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted, June 22, 2024

Deborah H. Ruzicka, Secretary                                               PaulaPatselas, President

deborahruzicka@gmail.com                                                  pcpatselas@gmail.com

* Indicates reports which will be archived with the minutes andare available for review upon request.