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  • The Annual General Meeting 2019

The one hundred and twenty-seventh Annual General Meeting was held at Dr Johnson's House, 17 Gough Square, London, ec4a 3de, on Wednesday, 16 October 2019. The President, Ms Margaret Lane Ford, was in the Chair. The minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting (which had been printed in The Library for June 2019) were taken as read, seconded by Dr Mark Byford and confirmed.

The President gave an overview of the Society's activities throughout the year. In addition to its regular monthly lecture programme and its summer visit to the Trigge Library in St Wulfram's Church in Grantham, the Society had also engaged in new outreach activities intended to make it more accessible. The Society focussed on three strands: the formal liaison with other Societies; providing training in bibliographical skills; and additional events. The President highlighted the collectors' evening held at the offices of Egon Zehnder, a lecture on cookery books at the British Library, an introduction to bibliography held at Edinburgh University Library together with Rare Books in Scotland and the Edinburgh Bibliographical Society, and an event entitled 'Inclusive Bibliography' held in collaboration with the Bibliographical Society of America at Maggs. She also mentioned that, in response to communication from a member, the Society is looking at using more environmentally friendly envelopes for its mailings in the future. She announced that a survey regarding the annual distribution of the binding cases for The Library is to be sent by email to all members in due course. More generally, the President informed those present that all members are likely to receive more communications from the Society by email in the future and not only the annual Christmas message with details of the virtual issue of The Library. She concluded her overview of the Society's activities by reminding those present that the 2019 Gold Medal will be awarded to Professor James P. Carley at the Society's January meeting.

The President noted with regret the deaths of Mr J. Hanrahan, Mr W. Reese and Ms C. Z. Rothkopf. She then proposed the adoption of the Annual Report for 2018–2019 as circulated in advance of the Annual General Meeting. It was seconded by Dr Jenny Stratford and carried.

The Hon. Treasurer presented the Accounts for 2018. The Accounts were published with the Annual Report and follow the same pattern as they have done for several years. Following advice from the Charity Commission, the Society has once again had the accounts examined by an independent [End Page 272] examiner and has not had them formally audited. The accounts look healthy and allow the Society to continue to maintain its activities, including funding print publications, giving grants and supporting special projects. He pointed out the subscription fees have remained the same and the Society's investment has increased. Income from The Library has slightly increased and remains a benefit to the Society. However, he reminded everyone that it would be unwise to take this income for granted. The Society continues to draw on permanent endowments for major and minor grants, conference subventions and ad-hoc funding. The costs for maintaining the Society's library at the University of Essex are lower than previously. The Hon. Treasurer announced that the Accounts had been approved by Council. He asked for any questions; there were none. The Hon. Treasurer proposed the adoption of the Annual Accounts for 2018. This was formally seconded by Dr Mark Byford. The Hon. Treasurer proposed the appointment of Thornton Springer as the auditor for 2019. This was formally seconded by Professor John Flood.

The President explained that, based on the usual rules of rotation, there are no Council members retiring this year.

The President confirmed that all existing officers were willing to serve another one-year term. The election of the Officers was proposed, seconded by Professor Mirjam Foot, and carried. The President thanked all Officers for their work, in particular the Hon. Treasurer and the Hon. Secretary, and reminded members that all Officers work for the Society on a voluntary basis.

The President announced that one new Vice-President was to be elected and nominated Dr Nicolas Bell...

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