Park Forest Public Library
Board of Trustees Meeting
September 18, 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, Katherine Coleman, Joshua Travis, Jessica Rodrigues (via Zoom) and Lance L. Jefferson (arrived 7:40 pm)
Absent: None
Park Forest Public Library Staff: Mary VanSwol, Allison McCray, Nikki Coleman, Herbert Obah, Samuel Hall, Christen Slaughter
Also present: Beth Brecher
Staff Presentations
Kids’ Zone Coordinator Nikki Coleman gave a presentation on Kids’ Zone including: attending open houses, partnering with Southern Suburban Library Homeschool Network, and partnering with Freedom Hall on a youth series. She thanked Samuel Hall and Christen Slaughter for representing the library at school open houses that she could not attend.
Approval of Minutes
President Rangel called for a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting on August 21, 2025, as distributed.
Trustee Rodrigues motioned, Trustee McBride seconded.
Roll call vote. 6 yeas, 0 nays.
The motion passed.
Communications
None
Audience to Visitors
None
Financial Report
Library Director VanSwol explained, tax money has been delayed but spending is where it should be and the numbers are in the board packet.
Report of the Board President
President Rangel determined that the board will serve as a committee-of-the-whole for purposes of committee work. President Rangel relayed that she went to the local author fair, loved it and looks forward to next year. She would also like to commend Sarah for the work she did for the program. She is glad to see the library participating in our community, for example Main Street Nights and the partnership with Freedom Hall. She saw Sam Hall at Mohawk for the open house in School District 163. Library visibility at events reinforces how valuable our library is as a resource. She is looking forward to more engagement. The Illinois Library Association Annual Conference is in October. President Rangel is registered for Trustee Day. If other trustees would like to attend contact Director VanSwol.
Report of the Librarian
Library Director VanSwol relayed, September is Library Card Sign-up Month and we have a raffle. Anyone who signs up for a card gets entered into the raffle. If new patrons do an additional bingo card they get another prize. Patron Services has been signing a lot of people up. Kids have been signing up because the schools have an incentive. The library survey ends October 1st . Staff had Narcan training September 5th . Windows were sealed in KidsZone. They were missing caulk. There are new tables for the Ringering room. The new tables are smaller and easier to move. NovemberFest will be held on November 1st from 11 am-1 pm. There will be a 1950’s theme to celebrate our 70th anniversary.
Report of the Olympia Fields Library Trustee
None.
Report of Committees
Moving forward report committee will be removed from the agenda.
Program Registration Policy – 2nd Reading
President Rangel called for a motion to approve the Program Policy as submitted.
Secretary Shnay motioned, Trustee Coleman seconded.
Motion passed 7 yeas, 0 nays.
Relationship between the Board of Trustees and the Library Director Policy – 2nd Reading
President Rangel called for a motion to approve the Relationship between the Board of Trustees and the Library Director policy as submitted.
Moved by Vice-President Jefferson, Trustee Rodrigues seconded.
Motion passed 7 yeas, 0 nays.
The library does not have a contingency budget line. Most emergencies would probably be building related and come from a building related fund.
2025 Levy Request
The Board discussed the levy. The current levy (general property tax) is $1,500,999.00. The board lowered the levy last year by $100,000 at the recommendation of the Village Finance Director. He has recommended $100,000 for this year. Director VanSwol suggested 2 proposal choices. Lower the levy to $1,400,999.00 or keep the current level of $1,500,999.00 There is concern about the decrease in federal funding and cutting the levy. The board is not increasing current levy so there will not be an increase to property tax from the library. The library has not increased the levy since 2014. The Board discussed the levy, the effect on taxpayers, and whether the library has a reason to keep the levy at its current rate. The 2025 Levy request will be on the October 2025 agenda for further discussion.
Adjournment
Vice-President Jefferson motioned, Trustee McBride seconded.
The meeting adjourned at 8:06 pm