August 15, 2024 Minutes
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: Sevena Merchant, Alan Shnay, Katherine Coleman, Alice McBride, and Jessica Rodrigues
Absent: Felicia Rangel and Lance L. Jefferson
Park Forest Public Library Staff: Mary VanSwol, Allison McCray, Nikki Coleman, Katherine Goosby, Kaitlyn Keller, Jennifer Oosterbaan and Millie Robles
Also present: Beth Brecher
Staff Presentation
Youth Engagement Coordinator Nikki Coleman reported on the Summer Reading program and what is coming this fall. This year the library began using the Beanstack website and app for the Summer Reading program. All ages participated in challenges and received incentives.
Kids Zone will host Animal Quest: Live Encounters & Petting Zoo on Sept 21st at 12:00pm.
Coordinator Coleman is looking forward to 2025!
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the regular meeting of July 18, 2024, were approved as submitted.
Communications
Interim Library Director VanSwol announced the Library once again received a beautification award from the Village of Park Forest.
Audience to Visitors
No one addressed the board.
Financial Report
Interim Library Director VanSwol relayed that 8.33% of the fiscal year is over. The numbers for July are in the board packet. The Library received and deposited the $27,500 check from the Secretary of State for the Tech Grant.
Report of the Board President
President Merchant stated that she is glad we’re on an uptick for everything. In general circulation is up. There are more cars in the parking lot and people in the building.
Report of the Librarian
Interim Library Director VanSwol thanked Coordinator Nikki Coleman for her report on programming.
Interim Patron Services Coordinator/Digital Information Services Coordinator Millie Robles assisted Interim Library Director VanSwol in demonstrating a new form of accessibility with Google Translate. Google Translate can be used to translate many different languages through speech and text.
The Library also has access to Otter AI which is a text to speech app.
Interim Library Director VanSwol reported that 2 Library Assistants resigned and she has 5 interviews set up for next week.
So far the Library has received 373 responses to the Library Card Micro Survey.
Report of the Olympia Fields Public Library Trustee
Interim Library Director VanSwol advised the Olympia Fields Public Library Board did not meet in July. The next Olympia Fields Public Library Board Meeting is Wednesday, August 28.
Report of Committees
No committees reported.
Patron Behavior Policy – 2nd reading
President Merchant called for a motion to approve the Patron Behavior Policy.
President Merchant advised that corrections had been made on the policy and asked if there were any further questions or discussion. There were no questions or discussion.
Secretary Shnay moved to approve the Patron Behavior Policy as presented.
Trustee Rodrigues seconded.
All were in favor.
Motion carried.
Tuition Reimbursement Policy – 2nd reading
President Merchant called for a motion to approve the tuition reimbursement policy.
Trustee Rodrigues moved to approve the policy.
Secretary Shnay seconded.
There was no further discussion.
All trustees present approved.
Motion carried.
Security Specialist Job Description
The board discussed the policy and made recommendations on the description and requirements of the position.
Approval of Mary VanSwol as Library Director
President Merchant called for a motion to approve Mary VanSwol as Library Director effective August 1st.
Secretary Shnay made the motion to approve Mary VanSwol as Library Director.
Trustee McBride seconded.
There were no further questions or discussion.
President Merchant called for a voice vote.
Motion carried: 5 in favor, 2 absent.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:59 pm.