PARK FOREST PUBLIC LIBRARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
May 15, 2025
The regular meeting of the Park Forest Public Library Board of Trustees opened at 7:30pm.
Vice-President Rangel opened meeting.
Jessica Rodrigues was sworn in by Sheila McGann.
Joshua Travis was sworn in by Sheila McGann.
Roll Call
Those present were:
Park Forest Public Library Board Members: Felicia Rangel, Alan Shnay, Alice McBride, Jessica Rodrigues, Katherine Coleman, Lance L. Jefferson and Joshua Travis
Absent: None
Park Forest Public Library Staff: Mary VanSwol, Allison McCray and Katherine Goosby
Also present: Beth Brecher, Sheila McGann, Danille Rutledge
Election of Officers
Trustee Rodrigues nominated Felicia Rangel for President.
Secretary Shnay seconded. There were no other nominations.
Roll call vote was taken. 7 yeas, 0 nays, all were in favor.
Felicia Rangel nominated Lance Jefferson for Vice President. Trustee Travis seconded and Trustee Jefferson accepted the nomination.
Roll call vote was taken. 7 yeas, 0 nays, all were in favor.
For the office of Secretary- Trustee Jefferson nominated Joshua Travis, Trustee McBride nominated Alan Shnay. Trustee Rangel seconded the nomination.
Both trustees accepted the nomination.
Ballot vote was taken by Director VanSwol.
4 votes for Alan Shnay, 3 votes for Joshua Travis.
Alan Shnay won the ballot vote for Secretary.
Approval of Minutes
Minutes of the regular meeting of April 17, 2024, were approved as distributed.
Communications
Library Director VanSwol stated, the Park Forest Garden Club sent a letter and gave the library a $50 donation to help support the library’s outreach.
Audience to Visitors
None
Financial Report
Library Director VanSwol advised that the April numbers are in the board packet.
There are 2 months left in fiscal year. We are 83.3% of the way through the fiscal year, we have a surplus, and 77% of the budget is spent.
Report of the Board President
President Rangel thanked the board for electing her president. She expressed feeling blessed to be a part of the library board for 10-12 years. The library is very important to her, to us and she appreciates in advance all the effort.
She has observed the library has been getting more patrons to return since the pandemic.
Congratulations to Jessica Rodrigues and Joshua Travis on becoming Library Trustees. She looks forward to working together.
Report of the Librarian
Library Director VanSwol advised, the library celebrated National Library Week April 6th-12th.
Julie from Acquisitions was recognized for 40 years of service.
At the last regular meeting trustees whose terms ended were recognized.
She welcomed Joshua Travis and thanked him for serving his community.
A break-in at the library occurred on May 10th. It appears that a patron wanted to use the wi-fi after-hours. He did not know the wi-fi password. After he damaged the front door and broke the front window, he entered the building and broke the wall for Study Room 1, but nothing was taken. The police apprehended the person.
There has been a delay with county tax bills so there will be a delay in receiving money.
Trustees were asked to pick a date to attend an Olympia Fields meeting and a sign-up sheet was passed around.
Report of the Olympia Fields Library Trustee
Director VanSwol advised, Olympia Fields is looking for 2 people to fill Trustee vacancies.
Report of Committees
President Rangel stated, she is helping to establish the Friends of the Library. The Friends next meeting is on May 31st.
Library trustee committees will be decided in June. She asked trustees to think about which committees they would like to be on: Finance, Personnel, and possibly Policy and/or By-laws.
Bylaws – 1st Reading
Director VanSwol looked at by-laws from the Secretary of State’s office. It states three people are suggested for committees.
The board discussed committee structures and options for the number of trustees on each committee.
Internet Use Policy– 1st Reading
The board discussed if the parents of children under age 18 using the internet are aware their children are using the internet and issues which could occur. Director VanSwol will research concerns and provide more information.
Meeting Room Policy – 1st Reading
The policy was updated to reflect the lab is now a technology lab and no longer scheduled for private use by patrons.
Disaster Recovery Plan – 1st Reading
Director VanSwol advised there were no major changes to the Disaster Plan. Mainly names were revised and phone numbers were updated.
Parking Lot Resealing/Restriping
The board discussed three proposals for the parking lot resealing/restriping.
Trustee Rodrigues Motioned to accept the proposal from John Zarlengo Asphalt Paving Company in the amount of $9,535.
Vice-President Jefferson seconded.
Roll call vote was taken.
6 yeas, 0 nays, 1 present
Motion Carried.
Library Director Review – Format Discussion
Trustees discussed 5 options for the Library Director Review and they agreed to submit their format choice for the Director’s Review by May 22. The board also discussed the idea to implement a staff survey from the board.
Adjournment
Vice-President Jefferson motioned to adjourn, Trustee McBride seconded.
The meeting adjourned at 8:28 pm.