Friends of the Pasco County Library System, Inc.

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Land O' Lakes Library/Teams

(813) 929 - 1214

Meeting Minutes

  1. Call to Order/Roll Call
    The meeting was called to order at 10:31 AM, by Roz Fenton.

    In person
    Rosalyn (Roz) Fenton, President – Countywide Friends of the Pasco County Library System, Inc.
    Gail Hannas, Vice President – Countywide Friends of the Pasco County Library System, Inc.
    Joy Vincent, President - Friends of Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center
    Susan Dormont – Friends of the Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center
    Marie Ambrosino – Friends of the New River Library
    Terrie Katz – Friends of the New River Library
    Jeamie Richard – Friends of the Land O’ Lakes Library
    Patricia Reilly – Countywide Friends of the Pasco County Library System, Inc.
    Hannah Weber, Event Coordinator – Pasco County Libraries
    Kathleen Rothstein, Librarian III – Pasco County Libraries
    Amanda Ogle, Branch Manager – Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center
    Robert Speich, Librarian III Community Engagement – Pasco County Libraries
    Julia Shepherd, Branch Manager – Wesley Chapel Branch Library
    Alesha Hassard, Project Coordinator II – Pasco County Libraries
    Tanisha Otten, Administrative Assistant – Pasco County Libraries

    Virtual
    Sean McGarvey, Libraries Director – Pasco County Libraries
    Caroline Westerhof, Secretary – Countywide Friends of the Pasco County Library System, Inc.
    Angelo Liranzo, Division Manager – Pasco County Libraries
    Megan MacElroy, Collections Manager – Pasco County Libraries
    Hasina Akhter, Librarian III – Pasco County Libraries
    Danielle Lee, Branch Manager – Hugh Embry Branch Library
    Marie McLeod – Friends of the Hugh Embry Branch Library
    Glen Thompson - Friends of Hugh Embry Branch Library
    Karyn Stanley, Branch Manager – Centennial Park Branch Library
    Laurie Whightsil, President – Friends of the Centennial Park Library
    Lorna Conley, Vice President – Friends of the Centennial Park Library
    Nionni McBride, Branch Manager – Regency Park Branch Library
    Nicole De Simone, Branch Manager – Land O’ Lakes Branch Library
    Lorna Baker – Friends of the New River Branch Library
    Max Dam
    Trish Kania

 

  1. Approve/Review Minutes January 15, 2026
    Motion to approve minutes - minutes reviewed and approved.

 

  1. Officer/Committee Report
    1. President Report – Roz Fenton
      1. Roz encourages the Friends to extend invitations to others to attend the Countywide Friends Meeting to gather additional ideas and suggestions
      2. New Port Richey is launching a new STEM program designed to enhance students’ knowledge and skills in science and technology.
      3. The School Board has asked Libraries to assist low-ranked schools with book donations. Chester Taylor Elementary took priority for the first round of donations, being the school has an F-rating. Books have been, and will continue to be, donated to other low-performing schools throughout Pasco County.
      4. Truist Bank notified the Friends of an unclaimed certificate of deposit of over $11,000, which Roz secured and deposited into the Countywide Friends bank account.
    2. Vice President Report – Gail Hannas
      1. April is “National Volunteer Month”, and all the volunteers are much appreciated.
      2. Gail created a Countywide Leadership Team survey, to identify individuals interested in joining the team and to gather their skills and interests.
    3. Treasurer Report
      1. An updated Treasurer's Report was not available for the meeting and will be provided at a later date.

 

  1. Unfinished Business
    1. Elections and Countywide Friends Banking Duties
      1. A motion was made by Amanda Ogle, Branch Manager of the Starkey Ranch TLC, to nominate the following individuals as officers for the Countywide Friends of the Library System, Inc.
        1. President: Rosalyn (Roz) Fenton
        2. Vice President: Gail Hannas
        3. Secretary: Joy Vincent
        4. Treasurer: Katherine (Kathy) Shelledy
        5. Member At-Large: Caroline Westerhof
      2. All members voted in favor of the motion, confirming the nominees as the new slate of officers for the Countywide Friends of the Pasco Library System, Inc.
      3. The Countywide Friends’ Wells Fargo bank account will be updated to reflect the newly elected officers.
      4. Libraries Director, Sean McGarvey, requested volunteers from all Friends groups to assist with Countywide Friends banking duties.
    2.  “National Library Week” – BOCC Meeting on April 21, 2026
      1. “National Library Week” will be observed from April 19 through April 25, 2026.
      2. Sean McGarvey and the President of the Library System Advisory Board, Mrs. Elayne Bassinger, will be presenting the resolution for “National Library Week”, at the Board of County Commissioners Meeting. The meeting will take place at the West Pasco Government Center in New Port Richey, at 10:00 AM.
      3. All Friends of the Library and volunteers are encouraged to attend and support.  

 

  1. New Business
    1. The National Arts Program’s (NAP) Pasco Perspective – Alesha Hassard
      1. The fourth annual Pasco Perspective art show, sponsored by The National Arts Program, gives Pasco County team members, their immediate family, and volunteers the opportunity to professionally exhibit their artwork and compete for cash prizes.
      2. The exhibit will be displayed at the West Pasco Government Center in New Port Richey, from August 3 through October 2, 2026.
      3. Additional information for the Pasco Perspective was provided on an informational flyer.
    2. Friends of the Library Objectives and Mission – Sean McGarvey
      1. It was suggested for the mission of the Countywide Friends to be organizing and coordinating ways to increase membership.
      2. Suggestions included posting content on YouTube, distributing an advocacy and promotion survey, and hosting another summit to gather ideas and recruit new members.
      3. It was agreed that the next summit or recruitment event should not be held before September 2026,due to the libraries’ Summer Reading program.
    3. Advocacy and Promotion Survey
      1. Gail created a Countywide Leadership Team survey, to identify individuals interested in joining the team and to gather their skills and interests.
      2.  Completed surveys can be sent to Robert Speich.

 

  1. Other
    1. Book Sales
      1. Max Dam’s organization, Maxx Multimedia, supports Friends of the Library groups throughout the Tampa Bay area by assisting with the sale of books that are difficult to move through local bookstores. He collects donated materials from the Friends groups and sells them online through Amazon
      2. Max has achieved significant success in marketing non-fiction titles. The Friends of the Library receive 50 percent of the net proceeds from these sales.
      3. An informational flyer was provided, which included Max’s website: maxxmultimedia.org, and phone number: (813) 455-4767.
    2. Student Service Award
      1. The Friends of Starkey Ranch TLC provided the application and criteria for their Student Service Award to share with other Friends groups that are interested in implementing a similar program.

 

  1. Meeting Adjourned
    1. The meeting was adjourned at 11:39 AM, on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
    2. Next meeting: Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 10:30 AM.
    3. Location: Land O’Lakes Library - 2818 Collier Pkwy, Land O' Lakes, FL 34639 (Location subject to change)