Park Forest Public Library
Board of Trustees Meeting
June 27, 2026
Minutes
The regular meeting of the Park Forest Public Library Board of Trustees opened at 9:31 am.
Roll Call
Those present were:
Park Forest Public Library Board Members: Lance L. Jefferson, Alan Shnay, Alice McBride,
Jessica Rodrigues (arrived at 9:35am), and Tammi T. Davis
Absent: Katherine Coleman, Joshua Travis
Park Forest Public Library Staff: Mary VanSwol, Allison McCray, Millie Robles
Also present: Tiffany Nash, Dan Pohrte
Report of the Librarian
Library Director VanSwol stated that coordinators expressed desire to change department names
so she did a survey, presented options and decided to go with: Adult Services Manager, Youth
Services Manager, and Circulation Manager.
Concrete lifting has been completed with minimum interruptions.
There was a leak in the roof dripping through light fixture. It has been sealed. Roof shingles will
be replaced in the area of the leak.
A temporary Art exhibit in July opens July1st at 6 pm with music.
Patron comments commending staff were passed around.
There was a presentation from architects Tiffany Nash and Dan Pohrte explaining their Adult
Services renovation ideas.
The timeline would be as follows: 2-3 months to draw up and get out to bid,
a three week window for bids, wait for materials to come in (potential for up to a 12 weeks to
wait for furniture), a lag between bid and beginning of construction, with an estimate of 2
months for construction.
Report of the Board President
President Jefferson advised that he emailed trustees to sign up for committees. Several responses
have been received and he is awaiting others. He will send something out prior to August
meeting and will resend the committees email to Trustee McBride.
Approval of Minutes
Closed session minutes from the meeting on April 6, 2026 were not available and were tabled.
Vice President Rodrigues moved to approve the Minutes for the Regular Meeting May 21, 2026.
Trustee Davis seconded.
Roll Call Vote.
5 yeas, 0 nays.
The motion passed.
Approval of Financial Report
Director VanSwol advised that the finance report was in the board packet and the new fiscal year
begins July 1st. The Director notified the Board that the Library will receive a Per Capita grant
and an Equalization grant with significant increases. Grants should remain at the current level.
The Equalization grant is based on the equalized assessed value of the service area.
Trustee Davis moved to approve the Financial Report for May 2026.
Trustee McBride seconded.
Roll Call Vote.
5 yeas, 0 nays.
The motion passed.
Report of The Olympia Fields Library Trustee
None
Report of Committees/Liaisons
None
Materials Displayed in the Library Policy – 2nd Reading
Trustee McBride moved to approve the Materials Displayed in the Library Policy as submitted.
Secretary Shnay seconded.
Roll Call Vote.
5 yeas, 0 nays.
The motion passed.
Adult Services Renovation
Vice President Rodrigues moved to approve the Adult Services Renovation Plan as submitted.
Secretary Shnay seconded.
Roll Call Vote.
5 yeas, 0 nays.
The motion passed.
Non-Resident Card Resolution
Secretary Shnay moved to approve the resolution to participate in
The Public Library Non-Resident Services Act for 2026-2027 as submitted.
Vice-President Rodrigues seconded.
Roll Call Vote.
5 yeas, 0 nays.
The motion passed.
Window Replacement
The board discussed options of replacing one pane or all windows and whether or not to tie the
replacement into Adult Services renovation.
President Jefferson took a consensus of the board for their preference of motion. Trustee
McBride, Vice President Rodrigues, Secretary Shnay, and Trustee Davis are in favor of replacing
the one cracked window.
Trustee McBride moved to approve the Window Replacement as submitted.
Secretary Shnay seconded.
Roll Call Vote.
5 yeas, 0 nays.
The motion passed.
Executive Session
At 10:01 am, 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).
Trustee Davis motioned to go into closed session. Vice-President Rodrigues seconded.
The regular meeting of the Park Forest Public Library Board of Trustees reopened at 10:10 am.
Library Director’s Review
Vice President Rodrigues moved to approve agreed upon increase for the Library Director’s
salary as in the amount of $92,700.
Trustee McBride seconded.
Roll Call Vote.
5 yeas, 0 nays
The motion passed.
Adjournment
Trustee Davis motioned to adjourn the regular session meeting, Vice President Rodrigues
seconded.
All were in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 10:12 am.