Park Forest Public Library
Board of Trustees Meeting
April 16, 2026
The regular meeting of the Park Forest Public Library Board of Trustees opened at 7:30 pm.
Roll Call
Those present were:
Park Forest Public Library Board Members: Lance L. Jefferson, Alan Shnay, Alice McBride,
Jessica Rodrigues and Joshua Travis
Absent: Katherine Coleman
Park Forest Public Library Staff: Mary VanSwol, Allison McCray, Herbert Obah
Also present: Sheila McGann, Warren Wood, and Chris Janota
Appointment of Trustee
President Jefferson called for a motion to appoint Tammi T. Davis to the Park Forest Public
Library Board as recommended by the Park Forest Public Library Selection Committee.
Tammi T. Davis was appointed by the Library Board to be a Park Forest Public Library Board
Trustee.
Motioned by Secretary Shnay, seconded by Trustee Rodrigues.
Roll Call vote.
5 yeas, 0 nays.
Motion carried.
Swearing in of Trustee
Tammi T. Davis was sworn in by Park Forest Village Clerk Sheila McGann as a Park Forest
Public Library Board Trustee and added to the roll call at 7:33 pm.
Election of Vice President
President Jefferson called for nominations for Library Board Vice-President.
Trustee Jessica Rodrigues was nominated by Secretary Shnay.
Trustee Joshua Travis was nominated by President Jefferson.
Both nominees accepted their nominations.
Trustee Jessica Rodrigues was elected as Library Board Vice-President.
Roll Call vote.
3 votes for Jessica Rodrigues, 2 votes for Joshua Travis, 1 abstention.
Approval of Minutes
Trustee McBride moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of March 19, 2026, as
corrected.
Vice-President Rodrigues seconded.
All were in favor.
The motion passed.
Communications
Library Director VanSwol advised, recently slips were put out for patrons to share their library
stories. There were patron comments commending Marla, Nikki, and Elijah, and one patron
didn’t name the staff member. Commendation slips were passed around for the board to review.
Audience to Visitors
None
Financial Report
Library Director VanSwol stated that the March financial report was included in the board
packet. More money was received from Cook County. Disbursements are still behind but there
has been improvement.
President Jefferson requested a motion to accept the financial report for the month of March
2026 to be approved as presented.
Vice-President Rodrigues motioned, Secretary Shnay seconded.
Roll Call Vote.
6 yeas, 0 nays.
The motion passed.
Report of the Board President
President Jefferson presented a memorandum to serve as board president report.
The memorandum contains suggested modifications to the agenda and for committees to be
added to the bylaws. The memorandum will also be sent as an email. As Trustee McBride
requested Bylaws will be added as a committee. Please advise President Jefferson of committee
suggestions or other suggestions by April 30th so items can be prepared for the May 2026 board
packet.
President Jefferson welcomed Trustee Davis and thanked Park Forest Village Clerk McGann for
coming to swear in the new trustee. For future record Trustee appointments should be selected
within 90 days of vacancy.
If committees are reinstated by the board a request will be made for committee preferences.
Committee selections and committee chairs will be made by the President but will be open for
discussion.
Report of the Librarian
Library Director VanSwol offered congratulations to Trustee Davis. She advised that staff had
annual Fire Safety Training on Friday April 10th. The Director met with the architect to discuss
Info Zone renovations. The architect will draw up plans and respond next week. The Library of
Things Grand Opening will be April 25, 2026, at 2 pm. So far hotspots are popular.
Respond Now will be coming on May 26 from 3-5 pm to provide social services for patrons.
They have committed to the 3rd and 4th Tuesday from 3 pm-5 pm. The Social Worker will be
working in the conference room. The Library Director will ask if anything more is required for
privacy.
Report of the Olympia Fields Library Trustee
None
Report of Committees
None
Library Budget FY27 – 2nd Reading
President Jefferson requested a motion for the Board to approve the library budget for FY2027 as
submitted.
Motioned by Trustee McBride, seconded by Vice-President Rodrigues.
Roll Call Vote.
6 yeas, 0 nays.
The motion passed.
Historical Society
The Board approved the payment of $1,400 to the Park Forest Historical Society for rent from
2025-2026 at St. Mary’s Church.
The payment was lowered by $250 before the request was made to the Board.
May 15th is the last day in St. Mary’s. The Historical Society will be moving to the former
Nurses Plus space in the Village Hall. Historical Society hopes to open to the public in late
summer or early autumn 2026. Currently a 3-year contract with the Village of Park Forest has
been accepted.
Vice-President Rodrigues motioned, seconded by Secretary Shnay.
Roll Call Vote.
6 yeas, 0 nays.
The motion passed.
Closed Minutes Review
President Jefferson requested a motion for the Board to approve the Closed Session Minutes
from February 19, 2026 as presented.
Consensus was taken by the president to table or approve the Closed Session Minutes.
All members were in favor of approval.
Trustee Davis motioned, Trustee Travis seconded.
Roll Call Vote.
6 yeas, 0 nays.
The motion passed.
Adjournment
President Jefferson called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Vice-President Rodrigues motioned, Trustee Davis seconded.
All were in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 7:59 pm.