Friends February 5, 2025 Meeting

February Meeting Minutes

Call to Order

Betsy Buckland called the meeting to order. At 7:15 pm

YA Librarian’s Report

Jennifir Huston

Thank you to Friends for sponsoring the following programs:

• Dance Movement from Katelyn Cramer a dance therapy inspired by such celebrities such as Taylor Swift
• and Travis Kelce. One young lady was a huge One Direction fan so Katelyn also took some requests.
• Aromatherapy with Klassic Kreations. Teen and adult session where teens made dream pillows, created
  a healing foot salt soak and deconstructed soap.
• Crafty Teens: Sun & Moon Shadow Boxes
• Founders Day Parade 2025:
• Since Summer Reading is Level Up, I was thinking we could rent a U-Haul pickup truck and Emma and I
  dress up as Mario and Luigu. I would create a Mario game set up in the back of the truck. I would ask
  teens to walk in the parade again and hand out candy. We would hang the Friends of Boyden Library
  and Boyden Library banners on either side of the truck.

Children’s Librarian Report

Emma Brelsford

Here are programs sponsored by The Friends:

Mom’s Spa Day- 13 mothers attended and had a lovely time getting massages, drinking smoothies from
Tropical Smoothie, coloring and making DIY self-care bundles.

I put Amazon orders in during January for kids painting smocks, light up Valentine’s materials ( coin cell
batteries, copper tape, LED diodes), water color paint, storage bags for floor puzzles, yarn, paint pens,
and film for our Polaroid camera which we use to take pictures of children when they get their first
library card.

Dog Man Trivia – 18 kids participated, one lucky winner received a Dog Man gift basket.

I am starting to book summer programs including Toe Jam Puppet Band for the Teddy Bear Picnic which
will be on Sat. July 12th @ 11.

Mobile Gaming Truck on Fri July 18th.

Approval of January 8th Minutes

Treasurer’s Report

Katherine Howard

• The 2025 Preliminary Budget was presented at a meeting in January, last year’s budget was reviewed and it was determined the need for a subcommittee: Katherine, Bernadette, Lesleyann, Sue, and Betsy Bwill be on the committee.
• Money Manager app is helpful as extra notes to reports to clarify items.
• Budget Report 2025 Changed some headings to be able to track spending and to make more readable.
• Items Ann Clark use of $1000 per year and Maker Space $4000 (one-time expenses this year).
• At the January 2025 meeting Promotional materials for Community Reads event were approved $850.
• Future Book Sales income will be divided between Fall sale, Spring sale, Founders Day and Teddy Bear
  Picnic.
• Three memorial donations made to Ed O’Leary towards EOL Mystery and Crimes Solvers books. In 2024
  we purchased 11 books, in 2025 we purchased 13 books. KBH is in charge of purchasing these books.
• The 2025 Budget is anticipating $20,800 revenue with expenditures of $38,000. Try not to base our
  budget on book sales as we have cushions in the budget.
• Adult, Youth, and Teen programs about the same budget as last year. We’ll see cut back in revenue As
  Adam will no longer be operating his Amazon/eBay sales due to increased costs and wanting more time
  with his family.
• Need an amendment to change Zoo pass expense from $2510 to $2015 due to increased cost.
  Betsy B requests motion to accept amendment, Lesley makes motion, 2nd by Sue.
• Annual Report for January 2025: Membership drive underway, 200 plus members renewing online, by
  check and credit card.
• Any discussion on the January Report. Bernadette asks where the Ed O’Leary Library (EOL) will be
  presented in library.
• Motion to amend 2025 Budget for $750 O’Leary book account. Motion by Colleen, 2nd by Charles.
• There were no questions about the Annual Report 2024. Betsy B requested motion to accept 2025
  Treasurer ‘s Report, January ‘ s and 2024 Annual Report. Motions to accept by Lesleyann, 2nd by Colleen.
  All voted in favor of accepting all 3 Budgets.

Director’s Report

Libby O’Neill

January/February Friends sponsored programs:

Block printing art workshop – 14 people

Medium program-Community Reads Kickoff event already has 17 people signed up! March 3rd.

Venice Travel talk with Matt Davis – 9 people

Hip Swayers – 1st concert of the year: 25 people

Moms Afternoon Out – huge success, despite only one massage therapist showing up: 13
moms attended

Upcoming Friends Programs:

England garden/landscape program with Joanne Pearson: Sunday, Feb. 9

Aromatherapy-rescheduled from 2/1 to 4/22 evening event.

Virtual program- “Life in a Word” workshop with Ronni Hochman Feb. 12

Community reads promotional materials are in! Invoice was put into Friends mailbox, $95 total.

We may order a few more brochures as the month goes on if need be.

Medium program-Community Reads Kickoff event already has 17 people signed up! March 3rd.

Trustee Report

Jen Ooi

• Appreciates the Friends support for the library.
• Significant issue is Trustees’ Budget proposal of 3.14% Ad Committee wants to hold everyone to 3 02%.
  Which is a $5000 cut. Libby wants budget to be in line with the rest of town.
• Friends reps to attend Trustee Spring meetings:
  February: Betsy B , March: Katherine , April: Betsy B, May: Betsy L, June: Sue
• Decisions won’t be made on the budget until town meeting on May 12th.
• Need to notify Paul Ivanovskis that Friends May meeting is rescheduled to May 14th

Membership

Colleen McManus

Membership drive in January

• 84 paid memberships, with more coming in. 53 paid in January.
• 1 new membership
• 85 total paid memberships in January.

• Several new members wish to volunteer and were added into Money Minder.
• Leave names in money minder for those who have volunteered in past.
• Lesleyann added new members who want to volunteer in Sign up genius
• Former life time member Bertha, who moved out of town, wishes to be removed from emails, mailings
  and from Constant Contact.
• Member made a Memorial donation in name of spouse . Bernadette says consider it a renewal
• Colleen wants to start more advertising for memberships in February.
• She will be sending tax letters for 2024.

Newsletter

Bernadette Thie

• 350 newsletter sent out in January with many renewals
• Next newsletter out in April.

Book Shop

Unable to attend tonight Betsy Buckland to report:

• Bernadette added The Women to the raffle bag. Looking for someone to add more new books . The raffle bags will be given in drawing early March to a paid member.
• Adam Rouille is leaving. Both Betsy B and Libby may have some contacts who may be interested in
  picking up Adam sales. Libby knows of Matt Donnelly from Mansfield who may have interest. Sue
  Collins will reach out to Matt. Betsy B to reach out to Mass Friends to see if they would know of
  someone . Thrift Books was mentioned by Ashley Clement as a possible source of sales. Libby said
  maybe Renee could help as she is often at post office.

Book Sale

Lesleyann Foster

• Advertising publicity out by mid-February. First book drive is April 26th from 10-12.
• Lesleyann has designed a new spring book mark .
• Mentions that Janice’s help with book sale will be greatly missed.
• Thoughts about increasing price of kids hardcover picture books by $1. Betsy B askes Lesleyann to look
  into changes in pricing for next meeting. What can we do to mitigate loss of Adam and change the types
  of books we accept now?
• Lesleyann has a website from Wellesley Library in regards to getting new volunteer opportunities.

Old Business

Giving Tree: Colleen McManus

• A new tree has been purchased.

New Business

Snowflake Fox – Cultural Council

Libby told the Friends that Rick from the Cultural Council spoke with her about the Snowflake Fox. They
decided that if the Council auctioned off the Foxes, a winner might take the Foxes away from town. The
Council would like Foxes to stay where they are, but they want to recoup their expenses. Sue would like
Snowflake Fox to stay at library. Fundraising ideas: Friends would match donations from individuals, plaques
for large donors, maybe sell cups with Snowflake and Friends logo. A possible price tag of $5000 was cited.
Everyone agreed that is too much money for a non-profit organization! Sue, Charles and Mo formed a subcommittee.
They will meet with a representative to discuss possibilities to keep Snowflake Fox and report back
to the Board.

Membership Envelope Design: Colleen McManus

Colleen made up a more user-friendly membership form to be used at book sales check out, Katherine suggests adding a date to the form and get it ready for Spring Book Sale.

Bernadette says we need to print up new membership envelopes.

Board meeting in May changed to May 14 due to the book sale. Bernadette will help with the
cash at book sale as Katherine unable to attend.

Stop & Shop Community Bag Program: Bernadette Thie

Stop & shop will send check for bags purchased for Friends.

Adjournment

Respectfully submitted by:

Betsy Lorusso