Park Forest Public Library
Board of Trustees Meeting
June 12, 2025
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: Felicia Rangel, Alan Shnay, Alice McBride, Jessica Rodrigues, Lance L. Jefferson and Joshua Travis
Absent: Katherine Coleman
Park Forest Public Library Staff: Mary VanSwol, Allison McCray, Tommie Taylor
Also present: Carrie Malfeo, Andrew Brown
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the regular meeting of May 15, 2024, were approved as distributed.
Communications
Library Director VanSwol stated Carolyn Johnson sent the library a Thank You card for the gift she received from the library. Sarah our Community Engagement Coordinator created a trifold brochure promoting services the library offers. When people sign up for a library card they get one. The email on the brochure will be changed to pfpl.org instead of the Gmail.
Audience to Visitors
None
Financial Report
Library Director VanSwol advised, the May financial report is in the board packet. One month is left in the fiscal year, and the library has a surplus of a little over $168,000. In a response to a trustee inquiry, Director VanSwol explained, the outdoor electric sign was supposed to be installed on June 5th but the sign company Martin Branding said we didn’t have enough amps to power the sign. The sign needs two 20 amp circuits. The electric line is buried and they have to dig a trench from the sign to the building. Previously the lines were improperly buried directly in the ground. The cost to correctly install the wiring will be about $9,000.
Report of the Board President
President Rangel is happy to see that Olympia Fields had 6 candidates interview for trustee office. Happy to see the library window was installed. Staff showed professionalism in a couple of ways. When the video was made by the 1st amendment auditor and when a group of teens were being teenagers in the library. Kaitlyn and Nikki gave warning and tried to work with them before they had to ask them to leave.
Report of the Librarian
Library Director VanSwol stated, Summer Reading Kick-off was on June 7th with Animal Quest. Sign up is open on Beanstack to track your reading. The Pride Party is this Saturday from 12pm -2pm. There will be tie dyeing and an ice cream truck. Study room windows are fixed. Parking lot is scheduled to be resealed next week tentatively on the18th and 19th, but it currently looks like it will rain on those days. May be pushed back to July. The teen space is getting updated with a Nintendo switch and a DVD player. Sarah, Robert and she went to Main Street nights last night and signed up 5 people for library cards.
Report of The Olympia Fields Library Trustee
Library Director VanSwol relayed, the Olympia Fields Library Board hosted interviews for 6 candidates and selected 2 people: Keaser Driver and Freddie Taylor. The new trustees will be sworn in on June 25th.
Report of Committees
The Friends of the Library had a meeting on May 31st. Four people attended the meeting and shared ideas. Meetings will be the 4th Saturday of the month. President Rangel will reach out to people who expressed interest in being a Friends of the Library officer. An officer election may be held on June 28th.
Bylaws – 2nd Reading
The board approved the Bylaws as submitted.
Trustee McBride motioned, Trustee Rodrigues seconded.
Roll call vote taken. 5 yeas, 1 nay. Motion carried.
The board expressed thoughts about board committees.
Internet – 2nd Reading
The board approved the Internet Use Policy as submitted.
Vice-President Jefferson motioned, Secretary Shnay seconded.
Roll call vote taken. 6 yeas, 0 nays. Motion Carried.
A trustee revisited the discussion of whether the language in the internet policy is sufficient. It was determined that the burden lies with the signer of the library card and young kids should have parental guidance. Meeting room policy The board approved the Meeting Room Policy as submitted.
Trustee Travis motioned, Secretary Shnay seconded.
Roll call vote taken. 6 yeas, 0 nays. Motion Carried.
Director VanSwol advised, according to the attorney, the library does not have to make meetings open to the public. The board discussed the policy including if food should be allowed. Food is not allowed in the study rooms or conference room but it is not mentioned for the Ringering room.
Disaster Recovery Plan –2nd Reading
The board approved the Disaster Recovery Plan with updated titles.
Trustee Rodrigues motioned, Vice-President Jefferson seconded.
Roll call vote taken. 6 yeas, 0 nays. Motion Carried.
The board revisited the Disaster Recovery Plan. Olympia Fields Trustee titles will be updated.
EV Charging Station
The Board approved the Assumption and Assignment Agreement between the Village of Park Forest and the Park Forest Public Library.
Vice-President Jefferson motioned, Trustee Rodrigues seconded. Motion carried.
Roll call vote was taken. 6 yeas, 0 nays.
Carrie Malfeo and Andrew Brown provided details about the EV Charging Stations which will be located in the library parking lot. Cook County approved an Assumption and Assignment Agreement to the library. The site selection is already noted outside and infrastructure to install the charging station is already there. A one level two, 2-port charging station will be installed by Cook County. The grant covers the networking and a warranty guarantee for the first 5yrs. The village has had less than 5 issues with their charging stations. The library will be responsible if the library withdraws after signing the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA). Library would assume responsibilities stated in the IGA. Village would facilitate the agreement signing and would coordinate with the library & county for charging station installation. The library would work with county instead of the village if issues arise. The library should contact the vendor for service. Carrie offered her assistance through the process.
Vice-President Jefferson motioned, Trustee Rodrigues seconded. Motion carried.
Roll call vote taken. 6 yeas, 0 nays.
Non-Resident Card Resolution
The board approved the resolution to participate in the Public Library Non-Resident Services Act for 2025-2026.
Trustee Rodrigues motioned, Vice-President Jefferson seconded.
Roll call vote taken. 6 yeas, 0 nays. Motion Carried.
Committees
The board discussed which committees were important to them such as: Finance, Personnel, Policy, and Strategic Planning. The number of people on a committee was also discussed. President Rangel will compile a list of committees and update the board in the Report of the President at the August board meeting.
Electrical Work
The board approved the necessary electrical upgrade to the electronic sign not to exceed $10,000. Director VanSwol explained, she would like to move forward with the electrical work for the outdoor sign as soon as possible. She spoke with the contractor and requested the max they think the work will cost. Currently, the director has to get approval for purchases of $3000 or more.
Secretary Shnay motioned, Trustee Rodrigues seconded.
Roll call vote was taken. 6 yeas, 0 nays. Motion carried.
Cancellation of July Meeting
The board agreed to cancel the regular meeting for July scheduled for July 17, 2025. It was suggested that next time the board approves the annual calendar do not add July and December since those meetings are usually canceled.
Vice-President Jefferson motioned, Trustee Rodrigues seconded.
All were in favor of cancelling the July 17, 2025 board meeting.
Executive Session
President Rangel called for a motion to go into executive session.
Trustee Rodrigues motioned, Vice-President Jefferson seconded.
At 8:48 pm, the Board went into to Executive Session to discuss 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 9:14 pm.
The board discussed the performance of the Library Director as permitted under section 2c1 of the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Actions taken as a result of Executive Session Library Director’s Review The board approved the agreed upon the merit based annual salary for the Library Director. Vice-President Jefferson motioned, Trustee Rodrigues seconded. A roll call vote was taken. 6 yeas, 0 nays. Motion passed.
Adjournment
President Rangel called for a motion to adjourn.
Vice-President Jefferson motioned, Trustee Rodrigues seconded.
The meeting adjourned at 9:16 pm.