Park Forest Public Library
Board of Trustees Meeting
August 20, 2026
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: Lance L. Jefferson, Alan Shnay, Alice
McBride, Jessica Rodrigues, Katherine Coleman, and Joshua Travis
Absent: Tammi T. Davis
Park Forest Public Library Staff: Mary VanSwol, Allison McCray, Herbert Obah
Also present: Beth Brecher
Report of the Librarian
Library Director VanSwol stated the Library received a Beautification Award
again this year. We received many positive patron comments. Most were from
Bingo for Books which happened during the 1st tornado. Senior Services Manager
Goosby did a great job at keeping everyone safe, positive and upbeat.
Hiring is almost done. Job postings are closed. The Director has offered jobs to
several candidates, and they have all accepted. The employment process is at
various stages. Some are waiting on background checks.
The architects will be at the October board meeting.
Local Author Fair and Back to School Bash both will be on August 29th and begin
at 11am.
Park Forest and Olympia Fields patrons will have priority for the Library of Things
by being able to put items on hold.
Election packets are at the circulation desk for both library and village trustee.
Passed around patron comments.
August 20, 2026 Minutes
Report of the Board President
President Jefferson advised he does not have a formal report but he has committee
assignments which were based off submittals received. Mostly staff will be on the
Policy committee because they deal with things trustees may not see.
Pamela McCullough was placed on the Strategic Planning committee. She is a
retired educator and community member.
Liaison appointments were based off trustee requests.
Committee meetings will have to be posted like a regular meeting and the chair
will call the meeting.
Committees will do the leg work and the board will make decisions as needed.
Committee meetings are open to all trustees.
Trustee Travis volunteered to be School District 227 liaison.
Approval of Minutes
Vice President Rodrigues moved to approve the amended motion for meeting
minutes for the Regular Meeting June 27, 2026, Closed Session Meeting June 27,
2026 and to table the Closed Meeting Minutes for April 6, 2026.
Secretary Shnay seconded.
Secretary Shnay passed out copy of June 27, 2026 Closed Session Minutes for
trustees to review.
Closed Session April 6, 2026 Minutes are currently unavailable.
Roll Call Vote.
6 yeas, 0 nays.
The motion passed.
Approval of Financial Report
The Board received Financial Report for June 2026 and July 2026.
Director VanSwol advised that June is preliminary and has not yet been audited.
Trustee McBride moved to approve the Financial Report for June 2026 and July
2026.
Vice President Rodrigues seconded.
Roll Call Vote.
6 yeas, 0 nays.
August 20, 2026 Minutes
The motion passed.
Report of The Olympia Fields Library Trustee
None
Report of Committees/Liaisons
None
Circulation of Library Policy – 1st Reading
President Jefferson called for questions regarding the Circulation of Library Policy
advising the Board to review the policy and be ready to vote at the September
meeting.
Ordinance Establishing a Special Reserve Fund
President Jefferson called for questions regarding the Ordinance Establishing a
Special Reserve Fund for the Park Forest Public Library.
The board discussed having a larger food pantry, more emergency supplies and to
be a hub during emergencies.
Trustee Travis moved to approve the Ordinance Establishing a Special Reserve
Fund for the Park Forest Public Library as submitted.
Trustee McBride seconded.
Roll Call Vote.
6 yeas, 0 nays.
The motion passed.
Transfer of Funds to Special Reserve Fund
President Jefferson called for questions and a motion for the Transfer of Funds to
the Special Reserve Fund.
Trustee Travis moved for the Board to amend the appropriations as itemized in
the library budget for FY 2027 and add the transfer of $3,550,000 to the
Special Reserve Fund for the costs itemized in the submitted letter as submitted.
August 20, 2026 Minutes
Vice President Rodrigues seconded.
Roll Call Vote.
6 yeas, 0 nays.
The motion passed.
Purchase of Library Building
Purchase of the library building was presented for review and discussion.
Director VanSwol asked the Board for direction in how they would like to move
forward. The Village’s offer is to sell the library building to the library board for
$750,000.
President Jefferson explained the difference between municipal libraries versus
library districts. Currently, the library is a public municipal library directly
connected to the Village. If the Library purchases the library building it can
become a district library.
Director VanSwol advised how the building purchase could affect the levy. By
purchasing the building the library would have ownership of the building but
would remain part of the village and retain current services.
Director VanSwol advised that the reserve fund will be down in 4 years if we do
all the proposed projects.
The Board agreed to refer to legal services and the Strategic Planning Committee
to discuss options. Director VanSwol will contact an attorney to ask questions.
Basement Waterproofing
The Board discussed a timeline and potential contractors for basement
waterproofing.
Adjournment
President Jefferson called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Vice President
Rodrigues motioned. Trustee Coleman seconded.
All were in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 pm.