| |
Annual Report of the President
July 17, 2006
ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2005-2006
In 2005-2006 the Friends achieved significant growth in meeting their mission
in most areas and built a basis for growth in other areas. Most notable are
the following:
- Direct support of the library
of $2500 for staff scholarships and $5000 for the arts and letters collection
on the JSTOR electronic database.
- An outstanding series of programs planned by the Program committee under the chair of Sid Roberts, resulting in a significant increase in attendance over recent years and a good deal of positive recognition for the Friends and the Library.
- Increase in the publication
schedule of the newsletter from two to four issues a year, including attractive
and interesting content that not only gave basic information about Friends’
programs but also featured the strengths of the library. Jean Major’s
direction of this committee was outstanding.
- A significant increase
in the services to the library provided by individual members of the Friends,
especially in Special Collections, as coordinated by Mary Daniel’s committee
with dedicated volunteer work from Mary Mosier and Jean Major, among others.
Receptions in connection with university events and the annual staff appreciation
reception helped others gain understanding of the Friends and their programs.
- A Baskets for Books program
indefatigably shepherded by Paul Homsher that provided great publicity and
exposure for the library and the Friends, despite disappointing financial
results.
- Important groundwork in
planning for the development of a larger membership by the committee chaired
by Mary Lewis Ash. During the past year there was a modest increase in membership
from 208 to 217 regular members and 49 to 52 life members.
- Some initial work on the
relatively new mission of active fund-raising by the development committee
under the leadership of Derek Turrietta and Lisa Murray. Fund-raising goals
were set and it was decided to make the author dinner the principal revenue-producing
program for next year.
- Continuing the strengthening
of the organization by recruitment of well qualified new board members under
the leadership of Mary Lewis Ash. These new members will add diversity of
interests and new ideas.
For details on these and other programs, please see the committee
annual reports and the summary of the year in the May, 2006 newsletter that
lists specific events throughout the year.
GOALS FOR 2006-2007
The overall mission of the Friends is to provide support for the ODU library,
both on campus and in the community, as it builds on its current position as
the strongest research library in the region and moves toward higher recognition
and strength as a university research library that can also serve the needs
of researchers in the Hampton Roads region. Support involves three broad goals: increasing financial resources, increasing
recognition, and providing specific services. For the coming year, I propose the following goals:
Financial support
- Increasing financial support
through membership dues by at least twenty-five per cent through active recruitment
of new members both on and off campus and encouraging current members to upgrade
their levels of support.
- Mounting an annual author
dinner that nets at least $1000 by attracting a major nationally recognized
speaker, increasing meal prices, mounting a strong marketing campaign, and,
if possible, getting a corporate underwriter.
- Developing a series of
small fund-raising activities, e. g. sales of memorabilia and perhaps ticketed
workshops. I think it’s premature to set a dollar figure on these activities
until they have been developed.
- Finding opportunities in
programs and receptions to attract potential large donors to library events
and familiarize them with the library and its activities. Since this involves
cultivation more than specific gifts, success should be measured by the number
of such potential donors who can be attracted to events. Coordination with
the university’s development office is essential.
Increasing Recognition of the Library
- Building on last year’s
success by developing at least four attractive, well-publicized programs that
are well attended by faculty, students, and members of the community. Our
goal should be an average of at least 150 attendees at these events.
- Sponsoring at least three
receptions to honor university people and events, including conferences sponsored
by the university, with attendance averaging about seventy-five, including
university administrators, faculty members, and members of relevant organizations.
- Continuing quarterly publication
of the newsletter promoting Friends’ events. Each issue should continue
to have at least one article featuring some important aspect of the library,
and articles by board members should be encouraged.
- Continued close relationship
with the university’s publicity staff to seek ways of getting the library
and the Friends’ events before the public in print and electronic sources,
with a goal of at least four significant stories distributed regionally during
the year.
- At least two workshops
designed to bring specific relevant groups to the library to increase their
appreciation of what the library offers. Groups could include teachers, AP
students (perhaps in conjunction with the admissions office), historical societies,
writers of nonfiction or historical fiction, etc.
Service
- Continuation of current
program with Special Collections, recruiting additional members as the unit
can absorb them. We might also try to get at least one member of the Friends
to help with the oral history projects.
- Continuing support for
the library’s book sale, with a goal of having at least one member of
the Friends present to help whenever the sale is operation.
- Continued sponsorship of
the library appreciation reception and support for the other planned receptions
mentioned above.
- Staffing of tables selling
FOL memorabilia at at least four relevant university events. (Since the results
were thin last year, this goal should be examined for continuance after another
year’s experience.)
- • Consultation with the library
staff to find other ways in which volunteers could be used productively.
Miscellaneous
- Continued active recruitment
of new board members who will bring diverse skills and background to the work
of the board.
- Continued review of the
organization’s by-laws to insure that they are consistent with its goals.
I look forward to working with the board and the committees in accomplishing
these goals in the coming year, and I anticipate that we all will gain increased
satisfaction with the job the Friends are doing as we see the development of
the ODU library.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles O. Burgess, President
|
