June 2024 Minutes

June 21, 2024

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

The minutes of the May 17, 2024 general meeting were reviewed and moved to approve by Susan Pagnucci and seconded by Dave Brown.  Minutes were approved and will be archived*.

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

Stephanie Edwards, Library Manager:  Summer is here and the library is busy!  The summer reading program started with a kick-off party on June 8th, with 350 attendees. Stephanie was pleased to announce that the county budget was approved and expansion of the Swansboro branch of the library is included in that budget. More details forthcoming. Of course, Stephanie is always planning ahead.  This fall will bring many programs; World of Spice, Meals for busy families, exercise, gardening, Crystal Coast Ghosts Tours, de-stressing with yoga, basics of starting a small business, and more.  The statistics for library attendance, utilization and programs for May were presented and will be archived*.  Stephanie requested the Friends fund the purchase of a new order of bookmarks for the library. The last order was in April 2023. Judy Fitzpatrick moved to spend up to $250 for the purchase of packs of bookmarks.  Jay Whelan seconded, and the motion passed.

Jennifer Whaley, OCPL Director:  Jennifer was unable to attend today’s meeting and Stephanie Edwards conveyed pertinent news from Jennifer related to the inclusion of the Swansboro Library expansion in the recently approved Onslow County budget for2025.

Jay Whelan, Treasurer/Membership:  Jay gave the treasury and membership reports.  Paper copies of the reports are attached and archived*.

Deborah Ruzicka, Secretary/Book Sale Coordinator:  As reported at the last meeting, after the May book sale we placed the hardback book carts back in the library storage room because we did not have enough strong volunteers available to get them into the storage shed.  Jay contacted Shaun Griffin 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 generously covered the cost of the new ramp. Stephanie contacted Paula recently to say that the Onslow County safety inspector reminded again that items be removed from 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 the library could use the back storage room.  Jay, Hahn, Deborah and her husband Lou moved them last week.  The new ramp helped, but we all realized that Hahn and Deborah would not be able to push the carts up the ramp and get them over the lip into the shed by themselves.  It takes at least one person of strength to push and lift, and another to steer.  We are going to need strong, able-bodied, reliable volunteers to move the books with every book sale process. Jay knows of four men who would be able to help if requested ahead of time and Deborah should contact them directly before each sale to get a commitment. If we can get at least two each time, that should suffice.  He is sending Deborah their information. However, other members can help by reaching out to additional volunteer possibilities to assist us with the manual labor involved with conducting book sales every other month.  Also, Paula was able to get a contact name with United Way and is looking into getting some help from that source. Susan Burkhard mentioned an insert that can be purchased to help handicapped people get over door jambs with wheelchairs, which can be helpful with the ease of moving the rolling carts up the ramp and through the door opening.  She is going to get information on where to obtain 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 the role 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, Social Media & Public Affairs:  Paula is still looking for a volunteer to help with the technology aspects of Facebook and Mail Chimp, flyers and publication design and updates.

Pamela Morton, Historian:  Pam reports that she is caught up and current with the historical archives files!  Thank you, Pam.  Paula and Pam are discussing the possibility of organizing a social event, similar to the August 2023 Summer Social at the Heritage Museum, with a focus to specifically showcase the Friends historical archives. It was suggested that this might be co-hosted with the history museum in Swansboro.  Pam can be contacted at: ptmorton@ec.rr.com

Christina Ramsey, Business Membership Committee:  Dave Brown reported today that the Business Committee met on June 11 to review continued progress reaching out to community businesses, obtaining business level sponsorships. More details are in the planning for business sponsorship signage display and a few recent tweaks in the charitable donation document.  This committee is an active group of fundraisers and Friends ambassadors and due to meet again in July. Members currently include: Christina Ramsey, Chairperson, Dave Brown, Doris Tursi, Judy Fitzpatrick and Paula Patselas, with Jay Whelan available as consultant as required. Additional members are welcome and 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 very helpful assisting with setting up for the Friends.

Paula Patselas attended a Bogue Banks Library social and tour on May 21st.  Bogue Banks Friends President, Betsy Mercer hosted and took the attending group on a tour of the library, to include the main library, a conference room/ art gallery, with display of a local artist exhibit, the Friends monthly silent auction display, and the permanent Book Nook. Refreshments were served and attendees enjoyed casual discussion of Friends happenings.

Little Free Libraries, Judy Fitzpatrick:  Little Free Libraries arein good shape.  Becoming chartered was again brought up.  The cost is $50 to be added to the national LFL database for each LFL, plus possible incidentals.  Franco Pagnucci moved that we take the steps to charter our LFLs. Deborah Ruzicka seconded.  A unanimous vote for $150 was approved and Judy Fitzpatrick will 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 in touch with Senatra Spearman again to attempt to set up a workshop date at the Swansboro Library in late August or early September. Stanley County Public Library in Albemarle, NC (near Charlotte) will host a regional Friends of 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 has a QR code.

Summer Social, Judy Fitzpatrick:  Judy has contacted, and is waiting to hear from Amelia Dees-Killette from the Heritage Museum in Swansboro regarding availability dates to host a repeat Summer Social.  She will give an update as soon as she has information.  We are considering a collaborative event with the Historical Society which might include show casing of our archives as well.

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

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

The Executive Committee will meet Tuesday, July2nd at 4:30 pm.  Information from 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 two vases of flowers today to celebrate summer. Deborah Ruzicka and Susan Pagnucci took them home.

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

Respectfully submitted, June 22, 2024

Deborah H. Ruzicka, Secretary                                              

Paula Patselas, President

deborahruzicka@gmail.com                                                  pcpatselas@gmail.com

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