FOPPL BOARD MEETING: November 23, 2024

         Friends of the Portsmouth Public Library, Inc.

November 23, 2024

Board Meeting

Board members present:  Amanda Taft, Ellen Franke, Toby Pennell, Mia Taft

Call to Order:  The meeting was held at the Churchland Public Library Book Nook. Amanda called the meeting to order at 4:00. 

Minutes:  The meeting of 10/25/24 was reviewed.

Correspondence:  Joy Dean (Lifetime member) wrote requesting that she not be notified by mail about the meetings. She did not want us to waste any money on mailings. We discussed it and it was decided that Toby would write her back saying we would take her off the mailing list but she would remain a member. Kayla Whitley emailed FOPPL asking for information on building a potential Little Free Library. Amanda will forward the email to Toby to respond back to. 

Financial Report by Treasurer:  Ellen reported the Operating Account has a balance of $ 84,630.53. We got $32.30 from BonFire (FOPPL shirt sales). We discussed and will continue to receive paper checks to deposit from these sales. 

Unfinished Business:  Churchland Library (Alexis) filled out our FOPPL request form and requested $200 for the fleece blanket materials, possible treats from Petco and books on pet care (from our donations) to be distributed by the Portsmouth Humane Society when an animal is adopted. Toby will gather the books when notified to give to them. This was approved by the board members present. Toby is still working with Portsmouth Community Health Center (contact - Angel Polk) to determine if they will approve FOPPL building and maintaining a Free Little Library at their London Blvd. location. Sue Burton provided the name of the Title 1 contact for Portsmouth Public Schools - Loretha Stills. Toby emailed her to ask if we could attend more elementary school parent evening programs to promote FOPPL opportunities. She invited us to come to a Jan. 24 meeting at 10:00 to explain and Toby volunteered. 

New Business:  Cradock Library (Matt) requested a pair of shelves for the fiction sections. He filled out our form and was approved for under $500. Amanda will email him to see what type of shelving he wants. Main Library asked for a replacement for their awning bag because it’s ripped or has a wheel missing. Toby volunteered to check out what is needed. We discussed that the Book Nook sign is not the current/new FOPPL logo and the awning over the door to the Main library book sale area is also the old logo. Mia will look into pricing. We also discussed using our button machine to make swag for sales or member meetings. Mia will look at that to consider designs to present in the future. Toby suggested a December book sale gimmick of “12 Days of Christmas” = $10 for 12 items. This was approved for both book sale sites. Ellen brought up that Langley Federal Credit Union appears to be using our FOPPL logo on a form they have made up when someone opening an account chooses us as their donation (we get $5 for that). Amanda will call and discuss this with them because we did not approve of them using our logo. Amanda reported we have new volunteers and will be adding them to the membership list. (Ellen will check that list to make sure the new Book Nook volunteers are included.) The membership invite will go out in January and Amanda will write it. Ellen will get the list of librarians for our Christmas gift cards and a list of volunteers for holiday gift bags. We discussed possibly building up to 3 Little Free Libraries but only volunteering (as FOPPL) to stock 1. We would get FOPPL signage for any that we build. 

Library Director’s Report:  None

Meeting was adjourned at 5:00.

________________________________________Toby Pennell, Secretary

________________________________________Amanda Taft, President