Friends of the Pasco County Library Meeting

Wednesday, April 16th, 2025

10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Land O Lakes Library/Teams

1. Roll Call
   In person
   Roz Fenton – Friends of Pasco County Library President
   Robert Speich – Librarian III – Systemwide Services
   Amanda Ogle – Librarian III – Starkey Ranch
   Ben Diel—Engagement Manager 
   Kiersten Backus—Administrative Assistant
   Hannah Weber—Event Coordinator 
   Gail Hannas —Friends of Pasco Library Vice President
   Cara —Friends of Hudson Branch President
   Shirely—Friends of Starkey Ranch
   Linda Buzzee—Friends of Land O Lakes
   Nicole DeSimone – Librarian II— Land O Lakes
   Susan Dormott—Friends of Starkey Ranch
   Joy Vincent—Friends of Starkey Ranch President
   
   
   Virtual
   Danielle Lee — Librarian II — New River
   Glenn Thompson — Friends of Hugh Embry Library
   Susan Boyle — Librarian II — New River
   Marsha— Friends of New River
   Becky Finley — Friends of New River President
   Karyn Stanley—Librarian II—Centennial Park
   Lori— Friends of Centennial Park President
   Lauren — Friends of Centennial Park Vice President
   Caroline Westerhoff - Countywide Friends Secretary

 

1. Approve/Review Minutes January 15, 2025
   Motion to approve minutes. Minutes approved

 

1. Officer/Committee Report
   1. President Report
   2. Vice President Report
      Gail Hannas appreciated all who attended the Friends Summit. Her and Roz plan to continue to visit the other Friends groups.
   3. Treasurer Report

 

1. Unfinished Business
   
   1. Recap Friends Summit
      1. Robert Speich gave a presentation recap of the event. Main points of feedback received –  need for more collaboration, more communication, membership level options. They looked at a vision for the next 5 years—Friends would like to viewed as Ambassadors for the Library System. There are plans for recurring Friends Summits in the future. 
         Roz Fenton thanked everyone for their contribution to the Summit. She discussed how the Summit was a primary effort for the Countywide Friends. She gave a thank you to Ben Diel for joining her at a recent Rotary Club meeting to do a Libraries Presentation.
         
   2. Review Handbook
      1. Robert Speich gave an overview of the Friends Handbook. He asked that each Branch Friends group reviews the handbook to make sure that it is up-to-date. Roz recommended creating a digital directory of all Friends members. 
         Caroline expressed interest in reaching those who are visually impaired or hard-of-hearing. 
   3. Other
      1. Roz Fenton thanked Joy Vincent for her efforts with the Friends Facebook page. She asked that the other Friends members share the page.

 

1. New Business
   1. Elections
      

      1. President

         1. Roz Fenton was nominated.

      2. Vice President

         1. Gail Hannas was nominated.

      3. Treasurer

         1. Kathy Shellaby was nominated.

      4. Secretary

         1. Caroline Westerhoff was nominated.

      5. Nominees were voted on and all received their positions. 

   2. Discuss President and Treasurers Meetings
      1. Robert Proposed the possibility of a 5/22 meeting for a Presidents meeting at the Land O Lakes Branch. Treasurer meeting was also discussed with a virtual option.
   3. Menu of Services
      
      1. Roz Fenton plans to discuss this more at the upcoming President and Treasurers meetings. She is open to feedback for Services options for the Countywide Friends. This Menu of Services will also be included in the Friends Handbook. Gail Hannas echoed this and explained that the Countywide Friends are there to help the branch friends group get the answers they need and act like a clearing house. Ben Diel expressed the need for help from the Friends with outreaches.
   4. Membership Fees
      1. There was discussion of having a free volunteer option for membership and changing the names of the different membership levels. Robert showed a mockup preview of what could be included as membership levels on a brochure—this will likely be revisited at a Presidents Friends meeting. Gail brought up that if the membership levels change, this will also need to edited in the Countywide Friends bylaws. Ben recommended looking at membership levels that other Friends group hold at libraries throughout the country to help provide inspiration.
   5. Other

 

1. Meeting Adjourned
   1. Next Meeting - Wednesday, July 16, 2025 - 10:30 a.m. – Location: Land O’Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Pkwy, Land O' Lakes, FL 34639 (Location subject to change)