Park Forest Public Library
Board of Trustees Meeting
October 16, 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, Joshua Travis and Katherine Coleman (arrived 7:33 pm).
Absent:
Park Forest Public Library Staff: Mary VanSwol, Allison McCray, Paul Silic, Millie Robles, and Katherine Goosby.
Also present: Beth Brecher
Staff Presentations
Info Zone Coordinator was unable to attend. Handouts were given to the trustees.
Approval of Minutes
President Rangel called for a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September18, 2025, as distributed.
Trustee Jefferson motioned; Shnay seconded.
All in favor.
The motion passed.
Communications
Library Director VanSwol received a letter from Arletta L. Bazille from Beta Beta chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma thanking the library for children’s books from Coordinator Coleman.
Audience to Visitors
None
Financial Report
Library Director VanSwol stated that September numbers are in the board packet. The fiscal year is 25% through. Cook County tax bills have not been sent out, but money is being received from Will County and Cook County tax money from previous years that were paid late. Trustee Travis made a donation.
Report of the Board President
President Rangel announced her formal resignation effective January 1, 2026. She stated the decision came after evaluating work and personal commitments. The decision was not made lightly. It has been an honor to serve along with each of you. Her duties will continue to be fulfilled until the end of the year and thanked everyone for their support, teamwork and dedication. Her tenure on the board was 12 years.
President Rangel stated, the survey was a lot of information. She was pleasantly surprised patrons commented. She saw a lot of good things and where improvements can be made. Patron asked about the Learning Express database on the survey. Director VanSwol advised the platform is for test prep. To help make patrons aware Learning Express was used as a featured database.
Report of the Librarian
Library Director VanSwol expressed that the library saw an increase in library cards during the month of September with a total of 124 library cards. The SWAN online library card system was not working. SWAN reconfigured it and now it works. The library was represented at the Olympia Fields Autumn Fest and received 25 more surveys there. Festival attendees liked the prize wheel. Nikki Coleman was awarded the good egg award. Regarding the survey results, the library ratings were pretty good. The highest rating was for customer service. Thank you to the staff. Hours of operation were rated lowest. The board will revisit library open hours. The library’s book vendor was changed, and books are coming in better. Baker & Taylor are going out of business. Patrons unaware of the services offered are being addressed by a new brochure about digital services created by Coordinators Keller and Weiner. Director VanSwol offered thoughts on new and potential services such as hotspots and the Library of Things. The timeframe for Library of Things checkout will be 3 weeks. The library has a community choir called “Birds of Paradise” Singing with Judy. They will perform on December 4th at 11:00 am.
Report of the Olympia Fields Library Trustee
None
2025 Levy Request
President Rangel requested a motion for the board to approve the agreed upon 2025 Library Levy Request proposal 2 no reduction.
Motioned by Secretary Shnay, Trustee McBride seconded.
Trustees expressed their opinions for and against the proposed levy.
Roll call vote.
5 Yeas, 2 Nays
Motion carried.
Per Capita Review
The Per Capita Review was presented for review and discussion. Reviewed every year before the per capita grant application comes out.
Released new standards. All standards have not been met. There will be time to make progress. The last strategic plan was last drafted in 2024 and was a revision of the 2018 plan. It was used as a guide. The social media policy will be addressed later on this agenda. New standards have a core they want everyone to meet and have opportunities for improvement. Progress will be reported to the state each year. This item will be on the November agenda.
Early Closure November 26, 2025, and December 31, 2025
President Rangel requested a motion for the board to approve the early closure of the library on November 26, 2025, and December 31, 2025, at 5:00 pm.
Vice-President Jefferson motioned, Trustee Rodrigues seconded.
Moving forward, this item will be put in personnel policy which includes the calendar.
All were in favor.
Motion carried.
Library Closure for In-Service
President Rangel requested a motion for the Board to approve the closure of the library for an in[1]service day to be determined.
Moved by Vice-President Jefferson, Seconded by Trustee McBride.
All were in favor.
Motion carried.
Social Media Policy – 1st Reading
The Social Media Policy was presented for review and discussion. Current social media platforms posted on are Facebook and Instagram. A lot of inappropriate comments have not been received. If things change and inappropriate comments become an issue, it will be addressed.
Closed Minutes Review
President Rangel requested a motion for the closed session minutes on June 12, 2025, remain
closed. Vice-President Jefferson amended the motion to include all closed session minutes prior to June 2025 remain closed.
Vice-President Jefferson motioned, Secretary Shnay seconded.
All were in favor.
Motion carried.
Adjournment
President Rangel requested a motion for adjournment.
Vice-President Jefferson motioned, Trustee Coleman Seconded.
All were in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 8:17 pm.