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The annual meeting brought three new characters to the board, offered further light to a newly developed plot, and concluded with a touch of foreshadowing that would hint of financial success toward the conclusion of the year.
President of the board, Jack Parrish, used the meeting to change a bylaw, saying that normally advanced notice is given when changes are suggested.
Parrish said that the library's board required six members with three alternates. "That has been kind of clumsy," he said. "I thought it would be better to have just nine board members rather than have three people with less than equal status and six people as full board members."
The president's ultimate plan included having three new board members introduced each year and three stepping down each year. "It will make it whole lot easier," he said. The motion was approved by a fully unanimous vote.
Parrish also used the meeting to make public his agreement to serve as president for one more year because he wanted to see a land-aquistion project paid off before stepping down.
He said that last summer the library owed $60,000 on the "Wactor house," a residence sitting on land the library is eyeing for future projects. Parrish said that now, one year later, the library owed $29,100, stating that $30,000 plus interest has been paid off.
"The board has voted that every time we have $6,000 in the checking account, I can write a check for $1,000 to apply on the interest," he said. "Glenda's getting tired of seeing me come to the bank.... It has worked very, very well."
In addition, and perhaps contributing, to the library's lower debt, are higher profits for in-house organizations like the Friends of the Library bookstore and the Hidden Treasures thrift shop.
"In 2006 we had over 7,400 visitors [to the bookstore] and we took in over $20,000," said Dorothy Ethridge, adding that the numbers were hard to believe. Ethridge said that 2007 had already begun more successfully. "We've done better each month this year than we did last year. I can't wait to see the numbers at the end of the year. I really want to thank the staff, because, without them, we really wouldn't have a bookstore."
Susan Kaagan, the board's vice president, presented statistics on Hidden Treasures to the crowd of approximately 40.
"Year to date, we have taken in over $4,500," she said. "That includes the proceeds from our yard sale the first week of June. We're off to a great start; we feel really good about that." Kaagan said that the store existed completely by the grace of donations from Friends of the Library members and the community at large.
"It's gotten to the point now that I unlock the door on Friday morning and I have people lined up. They're my 'regular customers, '" she said. "The past two weeks in particular have been really busy, it's like a tornado went through there."
Martha Neal, member of the Moss Memorial Library board as well as the Nantahala Regional Library board, was the last to address the crowd. Neal announced that the library was the beneficiary of a gift as a result of patron Jane DeVaughn's devotion to the library. DeVaughn's mother, Mary Brown Rushin, left in her will a trust.
"The mother left the remainder of her estate to a number of charitable beneficiaries, of which we are one," Neal said. "And we will receive a 15 [percent] share of a $1,905,406.31 estate which gives us about $279,000." Neal said that there were some caveats, including the requirement that the finances be used for a building addition or a new building as determined in the digression of the governing body of the Moss Memorial Library.
"At the last Nantahala Regional Library board meeting we voted that the regional chairman will apply for a planning grant in November from the state library," Neal continued. "That will determine where we will go from here, whether it is better to expand or if we should build a new library." However, she did say that the board feels that if at all possible the best solution is a brand new building.
"With [new land] and with our grant, we feel that, in time, we will be able to get enough money together (with the county and state's help) to build a new library. It's going to be a long-term thing." Neal added that the board had no desire to move the library from its current position in Hayesville.
Three new board members were added at the meeting: Betty Bradley, Melinda Bradley and Harry Jarrett. The three joined Parrish, Kaagan, Secretary Mary Anne Koos and Treasurer Doretha Jones according to Mary Kathryn West, who delivered the nominating committee report. Jarrett and the Bradleys were recognized at the gathering. Parrish closed the meeting. "We've had a good year. We're looking forward to another good year."
To comment on this article, e-mail Harrison at hkeely@gmail.com.
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