FOSTPL Annual Meeting

The Friends of St. Thomas Public Libraries (FOSTPL) hosted their Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 24, 2009 in the Roy Lester Schneider Hospital (RLSH) Sunroom. The meeting featured Secretary Cynthia Richards' reading of the minutes, a comprehensive financial report from Treasurer Derby Cameron, and FOSTPL President, Judy King-Edmeade's 2008 year-end review.

The volunteers who power the RLS Hospital Library Cart and Day Care Literacy Program were recognized with certificates, and pins were bestowed on Enid M. Baa Public Library staff and Book Mobile managers. Baa staff includes Librarian Symra Chinnery, Library Associate Annice Canton, and Rory Andrews. Canton and Andrews are expected to graduate in May 2009 from the University of Pittsburgh MLIS program.

New FOSTPL member Lisa LaPlace Knight led tours of the RLS Hospital Library, while attendees also enjoyed getting acquainted with the Bookmobile. The FOSTPL board accepted nominations for new board members, and held elections that will augment the current lineup. FOSTPL was happy to welcome members of the St. Thomas/St. John Library Association, Sen. Craig Barshinger, and VIALS System Manager Chris Douté, and keynote speaker and Territorial Director of Libraries, Archives and Museums Ingrid Bough.

Ms. Bough gave an engaging media presentation on the new virginislandspubliclibraries.org site and introduced the audience to its many features. She later addressed questions submitted to her in advance by the FOSTPL board regarding the St. Thomas Regional Library and Records Center, also known as the "Tutu Library", now under construction.

Following a break for refreshments and networking, Bough returned to a lively Q & A session, after which the meeting was adjourned by Edmeade. A more comprehensive report is to follow...