April 17, 2025 Minutes
The regular meeting of the Park Forest Public Library Board of Trustees opened at 7:32 pm.
Roll Call
Those present were:
Park Forest Public Library Board Members: Sevena Merchant, Felicia Rangel, Alan Shnay, and Alice McBride
Absent: Katherine Coleman, Lance L. Jefferson, and Jessica Rodrigues
Park Forest Public Library Staff: Mary VanSwol, Katherine Goosby, Nikki Coleman, and Tommie Taylor
Also present: Mae Brandon, Illinois Senator Michael Hastings, Howard Robinson, Joshua Travis, Penny Shnay, Jerry Shnay, Diane Pierson, Theresa Settles, Jasmine Davis, Jeffrey D. Merchant, Mayor Joseph Woods, and Beth Brecher
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the regular meeting of March 20, 2025, and the budget meeting of March 22, 2025, were approved as submitted.
Communications
Library Director VanSwol shared two letters from patrons commending the staff, especially Nikki Coleman, Sam Hall, Lee Hauser, and Robert Hensley.
Audience to Visitors
Illinois Senator Michael Hastings congratulated Sevena Merchant on behalf of the Illinois State Senate. He presented her with a proclamation commending her many years of service to the Park Forest Public Library Board.
Mae Brandon addressed the Board. She congratulated Sevena Merchant on her many years on the Park Forest Public Library Board and thanked her on behalf of the residents of Park Forest.
Penny Shnay thanked Sevena Merchant for her many years of service.
Financial Report
Library Director VanSwol stated that the financial report was included in the packet. The library is 75% of the way through the fiscal year.
Report of the Board President
President Merchant thanked everyone for coming and for supporting the library.
Report of the Librarian
Library Director VanSwol reported that usage is up. The week of April 6 was National Library Week. The library staff celebrated long-time staff member Julie Gurganus, who celebrated her 40th anniversary working for the library. Staff participated in fire safety training on April 11. The library has a puzzle shelf next to the newspapers in Info Zone. Patrons can take a puzzle and leave a puzzle, like a Little Free Library for puzzles. The electronic sign is being made and should be finished in early May. It will then need to be delivered and installed.
Library Director VanSwol thanked President Merchant for her 18 years of service and reminded everyone of the reception to follow the meeting in President Merchant’s honor.
Report of the Olympia Fields Public Library Trustee
Library Director VanSwol stated that the Olympia Fields Public Library Board will have two vacancies after this month.
Report of Committees
The Friends of the Library met on April 12. They discussed the bylaws.
Budget Hearing: Library Budget FY 2025-2026 – 2nd Reading
Trustee Shnay moved that the Board approve the library budget for FY 2025-2026 as submitted. Trustee McBride seconded.
The motion passed by roll call vote: 4 in favor, 0 against, 3 absent, 0 abstentions.
Salary Classification Chart – 2nd Reading
Trustee Rangel moved that the Board approve the salary classification chart as submitted.
Trustee Shnay seconded.
The motion passed..
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:47 pm.