Park Forest Public Library
Board of Trustees Meeting
February 19, 2026
The regular meeting of the Park Forest Public Library Board of Trustees opened at 7:31 pm.
Roll Call
Those present were:
Park Forest Public Library Board Members: Lance L. Jefferson, Alan Shnay, Alice McBride,
Katherine Coleman, Joshua Travis, and Jessica Rodrigues (entered at 7:35 pm)
Absent: None
Park Forest Public Library Staff: Mary VanSwol, Allison McCray, Nikki Coleman, Kaitlyn
Keller, Millie Robles, Jarvis Bailey
Also present: Anastasia Schnepf
Approval of Minutes
President Jefferson called for a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January
15, 2026, as distributed.
Secretary Shnay motioned, Trustee Coleman seconded.
5 yeas, 0 nays.
The motion passed.
Communications
None
Audience to Visitors
None
Financial Report
Library Director VanSwol advised the January numbers are in the board packet. The fiscal year
is 58.3 percent through. The library is waiting on funds from Cook County.
The completed audit has been received. Copies are available.
The board requested Library Director VanSwol to invite Mark Pries from the village to give a
financial presentation.
President Jefferson called for a motion to approve the Financial Report as presented.
Secretary Shnay motioned, Trustee Coleman seconded.
Roll Call vote was taken.
5 yeas, 0 nays.
The motion carried.
Report of the Board President
President Jefferson initiated a discussion about interviewing candidates for the trustee vacancy.
He advised to only communicate with library issued emails. Personal email is subject to FOIA.
Report of the Librarian
Library Director VanSwol introduced the newest Library Assistant Jarvis Bailey who started on
January 20, 2026.
The air curtain has been installed at the drive-up window and the public bathroom faucets have
been replaced.
February 28th the library will host a Black History Month Poetry Open Mic Night. The mayor is
planning to visit.
Staff have been shifting collections. Easy books have been inter shelved in KidsZone. African
American fiction have been inter shelved within regular fiction. Graphic novels were pulled out
of non-fiction. They have their own section at end of the stacks.
The library was awarded a RAILS grant funded through the Cook County Equity Fund to
purchase chrome books which will be circulated in the Library of Things.
Report of The Olympia Fields Library Trustee
None
Report of Committees
None
Employee Handbook and Personnel Policy – 2nd Reading
President Jefferson requested a motion for the Board to approve the Employee Handbook and
Personnel Policy as submitted.
Motioned by Trustee Rodrigues, seconded by Trustee Coleman.
6 yeas, 0 nays.
The motion carried.
Internet Use Policy and Procedures – 1st Reading
President Jefferson advised the board to bring questions to Director VanSwol or have questions
ready at the next regular meeting.
Resource Selection Policy – 1st Reading
President Jefferson advised the board to bring questions to Director VanSwol or have questions
ready at the next regular meeting.
Late Opening April 10, 2026
President Jefferson requested a motion for the Board to approve the opening time of 11:00 am on
April 10, 2026, to hold fire safety training for staff.
Secretary Shnay motioned, Trustee McBride seconded.
6 yeas, 0 nays.
Motion passed.
Executive Session
President Jefferson requested a motion to go into closed session at 7:44 pm.
Motioned by Trustee Coleman, seconded by Trustee Rodrigues.
6 yeas, 0 nays.
Motion passed.
The Board adjourned to Executive Session for the appointment, employment, compensation,
discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees under Section 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1).
The regular meeting of the Park Forest Public Library Board of Trustees reopened at 8:17 pm.
Roll Call
Those present were:
Park Forest Public Library Board Members: Lance L. Jefferson, Alan Shnay, Alice McBride,
Katherine Coleman, Joshua Travis, and Jessica Rodrigues
Park Forest Public Library Staff: Mary VanSwol, Allison McCray, Nikki Coleman, Kaitlyn
Keller, and Millie Robles
Adjournment
President Jefferson requested a motion to adjourn at 8:18 pm.
Motioned by Trustee McBride, seconded by Trustee Coleman.
6 yeas, 0 nays.
Motion passed.
The meeting adjourned at 8:18 pm.