FAIRFIELD HISTORY CLUB heard about the Fairfield Library’s new building plans at their meeting last week, and donated $450 to the library’s building fund. History Club member Gina Robinson, left, gave the check to Fairfield Library director John Stevens. First History Club meeting of the new year was held January 7 with “The Mary Moody Northen Library—What Does the Future Hold?” as the education department’s program topic.

Because of the severe cold weather, the Moody- Bradley House was winterized and the club meeting was moved to the library. Sandra McLeod served as the presiding officer.

After welcoming program speaker and library director John Stevens, and the reciting of the pledges to the flags, it was noted that the club is now officially in its 85th year.

For the reading of “Moments from the Past” the club welcomed a typically dressed clubwoman from the 1940-1950 period, in the person of the club member Mrs. Lee Judson (Kathryn) Davis.

She read several excerpts from the minutes of 1928, 1929, 1935, and 1936 relating to a games day gone-by with the remainder referring to the History Club’s major and recurring role in getting the school and public library started here in Fairfield.

Mrs. Davis served as History Club president from 1976-78 and 1990-92. Anyone interested in hearing the history of the Fairfield library, Mrs. Davis can tell, with great passion and great accuracy, just exactly how the library came into being.

For the program, Stevens was invited to give the members an overview of plans for the new library building. The new building will be located on almost three acres on the west side of North Highway 75, just north of Aztec Tire, and diagonally across the road from the elementary school. The Fairfield Library Association and its board of directors have chosen a plan of five phases to build a new sustaining public library with as many “green” and environmental aspects as is possible.

Phase 1, long range planning, has begun. Participation by all civic and service organizations, leading citizens, and public officials is desired and welcomed, Stevens noted. A representative from the Central Texas Library System (CTLS) has been hired to serve as a facilitator for four planning meetings to gather community and library representative support. Community representatives from the school, business, legal and development sectors were sought to participate with library representatives. The first meeting was held in December with the next three in January, February, and March, respectively.

Phase 2, design of the building, will begin when the anticipated library service needs of the community are fully determined. Board members Wally Bishop and Barbara Crossno have already attended a national meeting in Dallas with architects, designers and vendors who specialize in library construction. A construction company in Waco has been contacted to provide assessments for construction ideas once firm plans have been made.

Phase 3 – funding, Phase 4 – construction, and Phase 5 – establishment of an endowment fund to provide a guarantee of continued service to the Fairfield community are the remaining phases to be completed in this process. As Stevens pointed out, awell-planned and well-funded library can serve the changing needs for library servicesfor the long term.

Following Stevens’ presentation, the History Club’s education departmentchairman, Gina Robinson, presented Stevens with a check for $450 to the Fairfield Library Association’s New Building Fund. The club made a donation of $50 to the fund last October in honor of Robin Richards Pensini’s family for their program on life and education in Australia.

Stevens gave each member a magnetic card with the library phone number and hours listed along with a Fairfield Eagle pin.

Regular business meeting followed with roll called and members answering to “Do you have a Fairfield library card?” Most responded “yes”. Committee reports followed approving the December 3 minutes and accepting the December 31, 2009 financial statement as printed in the January newsletter.

A budget revision was presented by the executive xommittee and approved by themembership. The revision involved setting aside $100 ($50 each) for donation to gifts for the outgoing TFWC state president and TFWC Trinity District president at the ed of their 2008-2010 terms (to be presented in April at the respective conventions).

Patricia Tate, special project—Domestic Violence Awareness signature project chairman, briefed the club on a project connected with the February program, “Break the Cycle—Teen Dating Violence”. The History Club will be sponsoring an assembly on the topic to be held at the high school some time in early February. Members should plan to attend and will be notified when a date and time are finalized. Further to this topic, Kay Neal gave a legislative update on a bill before the U.S. House of Representatives to reauthorize the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA). The FVPSA Reauthorization Act of 2009 (H.R. 4116) revises the requirements for and reauthorizes the FVPSA at increased levels for FY2010-FY2014. This act is the only federal funding source dedicated to domestic violence shelters and programs. The FVPSA’s reauthorization offers victims hope as it will allow domestic violence programs to continue fighting the cycle of violence. Club members are urged to contact their

U.S. House Representative to express their personal opinions regarding this Bill.

Games Day chairman Kathleen McKee gave a report on preparations for the January 14 fundraising event. Due to the winterizing of the Moody-Bradley House, it was decided to leave the winterization precautions in place for a while longer. The Games Day will be held at Calvary Baptist Church instead.

The 2010-2012 nominating committee, Kathleen McKee, Dell Terry, and Bettye Trask, reported on the names of nominees for president, president-elect, vice president, secretary and treasurer. The club will vote on the recommended slate of officers who have agreed to serve 2010-2012 at the February 4 meeting.

Head hostess Cynthia Kethley and her committee of Joanne Fleming, Donna Landers, and Sue Terry provided refreshments and decorations.