Gibson Library Society 14 people signed the attendance book and a further two attended the meeting but did not sign (Ljiljiana Ortolja-Baird and Charles Reese).
1. Apologies were received from: Judy Brook, Kelly Cole, Kathryn Fiddock, Lord Haselhurst, Tessa Hawkes, Sue Kinmonth, Peter Sanders, John Oswin Smith and Margery Taylor.
2. Minutes of the 2021 AGM had been posted on the website. They were taken as read and were accepted as a true record.
Proposed: Ray Jones Seconded: Martin Rose Unanimously agreed.
There were no matters arising.
3. Chairman's Report: : Martyn Everett's (ME) report had been posted on the website. He highlighted to the AGM:
(i) ECC's new catalogue had accidentally deleted 1200 Gibson Library (GL) volumes. Pending re-cataloguing these were in trugs in the office where they inevitably created congestion and therefore difficulty in bringing in volunteers. The new catalogue had also incorrectly designated much of the GL lending stock as reference only and this too required work. There was also an ongoing issue with ECC over the Trust Accounts which for the past 5 years had not correctly reported income and expenditure and were late in being filed with the Charity Commission. ME was asking ECC Cllr Paul Gadd to intervene on our behalf to have these issues addressed promptly.
(ii) New accessions in the library included the late Richard Jemmett's photographic collection and the long-term loan deposit of the Friends' Meeting Library.
(iii) Phase II of the signage project had now been completed with new information panels at the front entrance and a Gibson stork motif on the main staircase.
There being no questions, the report was taken as read and accepted:
Proposed: Ben Cowell Seconded: Dominic Davey Unanimously agreed.
4. Treasurer's Report: The report and accounts for 01.04.2021 to 31.03.2022 had been posted on the website and were shared on-screen. PW drew particular attention to the following:
(i) There was a 10% fall in income compared to the previous year, attributable to the absence of face-to-face meetings where many subscriptions were paid. Expenditure was a little reduced.
(ii) The accounts included 2 years of accrued rebinding costs (£500), previously withheld due to the dispute with ECC over the Trust Fund accounts (see above).
(iii) Grant funds received of £2250 were gradually being paid out.
(iv) As the year showed a surplus of £ ,213 there is no need to increase the membership subscription rate.
The accounts had been examined and confirmed by the Independent Examiner, John Osmin Smith, who was thanked, and were accepted.
Proposed: Zofia Everett Seconded: Pat Gregory Unanimously agreed.
5. Librarian's Report: The report, prepared by Suzanna Shaw, ECC, had been posted on the website and was taken as read.
ME noted that the report was concerned with ECC library issues and did not address their role as Trustee of the GL. He proposed that the report was not adopted by the meeting. There was a discussion on how to brief ECC on what was expected both at the next Operations meting and ahead of the 2023 AGM.
The meeting voted not to accept the report, with 3 abstentions.
6. Election of Officers and Committee of the Society:
Election of President: BM had confirmed his willingness to cntinue in the post.
Nominated: Martyn Everett Seconded: Gillian Williamson Unanimously agreed.
i) Election of Chairman: BM took the Chair for the election of the Chairman, ME having confirmed his willingness to continue in the post. He thanked ME, the officers and committee for their roles in the continued success of the GL.
Nominated: Ray Jones Seconded: Peter Walker Unanimously agreed.
ii) Election of Treasurer: ME resumed the Chair. Peter Walker confirmed his willingness to continue in the post.
Nominated: Zofia Everett Seconded: Charles Reese Unanimously agreed.
iii) Election of Secretary: Gillian Williamson confirmed her willingness to continue in the post.
Nominated: Bruce Tice Seconded: Ljiljana Ortolja-Baird Unanimously agreed.
iv) Election of current committee members: Two committee members had been co-opted during the year: Pat Gregory and Ljiljana Ortolja-Baird. All committee members confirmed their willingness to continue in their posts and were re-elected en bloc: Kelly Cole, Ben Cowell, Pat Gregory, Barbara Hughes, Ljiljana Ortolja-Baird, Howard Newman, Charles Reese, and Bruce Tice.
Nominated: Peter Walker Seconded: Charles Reese Unanimously agreed.
v) Independent Examiner: John Oswin Smith confirmed his willingness to continue in the post.
Proposed: Peter Walker Seconded: Ben Cowell Unanimously agreed.
PW will convey to JOS the meeting's thanks and his re-election.
7. Any Other Business:
i) No matters for consideration had been submitted to the Secretary.
ii) ME noted the purchase of new micro-form scanning equipment for the Archive Access Point which Zofia Everett can demonstrate.
There being no other business the meeting was closed at 8.00 pm.
Return to the AGM 2023 page.
