Ossining Public Library

Beginning February 4, the Friends of the Ossining Public Library will be accepting donations of books, CDs, DVDs, and magazines. The Friends cannot accept textbooks, encyclopedias or VHS tapes. Thank you for your cooperation. Monetary donations are always welcome.

2012 IN REVIEW:

Thanks to all old and new Friends who attended our annual meeting Jan. 27, 2013. The current board was re-elected — either by acclamation or lack of opponents. Either way, we'll take it as a vote of confidence. We have 350 members and about $18,000 in our bank account after the latest budget requests from the library staff. In 2012, we contributed $10,805 for library programs, equipment and our advocacy campaign for the library budget. Our 2012 revenue, from book sales and memberships dues, was $8,339.

HELP NEEDED:

We welcome help for our advocacy committee as we prepare for the May public vote on the library's proposed budget. At the annual meeting, the library's director and three members of the library's board of trustees outlined the financial challenges ahead. Look for more budget information soon...

KUDOS to author and Friends member Susanna Reich, whose latest picturebook, "Minette's Feast: The Delicious Story of Julia Child and Her Cat," for readers 4 to 8, got a good review in The New York Times Book Review, which calls it "charming" and says it "would be a great present for any fully grown Julia-lover."

Join the Friends:

To download a simple membership application, click here or pick up a form at the library.

What and who are the Friends of the Ossining Public Library?

The Friends is a non-profit group of volunteers who encourage public awareness of library services and support the goals and activities of the library. It does not set policy, which is up to the library's Board of Trustees. It does assist in expanding library services by helping pay for programs and improvements not provided for in the library's annual budget. It raises money for the library through membership contributions and sales of books and tote bags.

How can I join?

It's easy. Annual memberships start at $10, although larger contributions are gratefully accepted. Click here and download the application or pick up an application form at the library's circulation desk in the front lobby. Forms also are available in the racks of flyers downstairs near the Footnote Café.

Where our money goes:

Thanks to your support and the proceeds of our book sales, the Friends board approved $3,500 worth of budget requests from the library staff in October to pay for programs and equipment not in the library's budget. We're paying for three concerts (jazz, classical and a St. Patrick's Day event), iPad tablets to be used in the children's room, and non-electronic gaming programs, including "Mad Scientist University," for the teen room. In addition, last summer the Friends paid for prizes for the summer reading program for kids and for museum passes which have proven to be very popular.

How are the Friends organized?

The Friends' current board, elected by members, consists of President Bob Minzesheimer, Vice President Donna Franzese, Treasurer Joyce Koyner, and Secretary Barbara Henninger, an assistant in the library's business office. Susan Kelly serves as chair of the booksale committee. George Morrison chairs the Advocacy Committee. Both welcome volunteers. Since January 2010, membership has grown from 75 to 300. The goal is to have 1,000 members, which may sound like a lot, but about 19,000 people have Ossining library cards. Suggestions and questions can be sent to oplfriends@wlsmail.org (paste this address into your email program if it does not automatically open when you click on it).

Are the Friends a 501 C-3 Non-Profit Organization?

Not yet, but the paperwork is being prepared for the application. The Friends are incorporated with New York State.

What else can I do to support libraries?

You can join the county-wide Advocates of the Westchester Library System, a citizens' group that helps inform local and state public officials about the importance of libraries. Its website is westchesterlibraries.org/advocates.

Bylaws of the Friends of the Ossining Public Library

Purpose
Assist the Library Board of Trustees in communicating the library's mission and services to the public and to serve as a vehicle for community involvement.
Assist in making the members of the county and state legislatures aware of the services provided to the public and the ongoing need for their financial support.
• Provide input to the Board of Trustees to assist them in their efforts to plan for and provide the best possible library services.
• Serve as a resource for recruiting and using library volunteers.
• Raise funds through membership donations and sponsorship of periodic book sales and similar fund-raising events, the proceeds of which are to be used by the library for worthy purposes for which tax supported funds are not available.

Form of Organization
• The Friends of the Ossining Public Library is a membership organization composed of individuals, groups and public and private organizations that are interested in supporting the Ossining Public Library.
• There shall be an annual membership meeting.
• The membership shall elect a President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary at the annual meeting. Nominations for such offices shall be entertained from the floor at the time of the annual meeting. The terms of the officers shall be for one year. Vacancies are to be filled by appointment of the president.

• Members to be in good standing will have timely made their membership donation. All members in good standing shall have the right to vote at the annual meeting or membership meetings called by the president.
• Any other business shall be brought before the membership at the annual meeting.
• Membership categories include: Individual, Patron, and Group. Each member of a category shall have one vote. The membership fees for the fiscal year, for each category, shall be determined by vote at the annual meeting.
• The Friends shall be responsible for the timely filing of appropriate forms with applicable governmental agencies; however the Board of Trustees may allow library staff to assist in their preparation.
• The Director of the Ossining Public Library shall appoint a member of the staff to serve as liaison to the Friends.

Fund-Raising Activities and Donations to the Library
• The Board of Trustees of the Ossining Public Library and/or its director may request donations from the Friends of the Ossining Public Library. As a general rule, funds donated to and accepted by the Library shall be used for worthy purposes for which tax-supported funds are not available.

Dissolution of the Friends of the Ossining Public Library
• At its discretion, the Board of Trustees of the Ossining Public Library shall have the power to dissolve the Friends of the Ossining Public Library.
• Alternatively, a quorum of the members of the Friends, shall have the power to vote for the dissolution of the Association.
• In either case, whatever balances remain in the account(s) of the Association shall devolve to the Ossining Public Library for the benefit of library services.

Adopted at membership meeting, September 27, 2010.