Olympia Fields Public Library Board of Trustees
August 27, 2025
Minutes
Roll Call
The regular meeting of the Olympia Fields Public Library Board of Trustees was called to order at 6:34 pm. Trustees Present: Jerry Pierson (President), Dr. Taneen Brinson (Vice President), Sherry Demian (Treasurer), Elizabeth Hadala (Secretary), and Keasar Driver Absent: Dr. Kametta Clark (Parliamentarian) and Fredi Taylor
Also Present: Mary VanSwol, Alice McBride, and Angela Smith-Johnson
Minutes
Trustee Hadala moved to approve the minutes of the June meeting. Trustee Demian seconded.
The motion passed.
Correspondence
Trustee Hadala reported that the Board received a card from Howard Robinson thanking them for the celebration dinner. The Board also received a letter from the Secretary of State awarding the annual per capita grant. President Pierson reported that he went to the Olympia Fields trustee board meeting last week. Ms. Smith-Johnson sent him an email with suggestions on how to be more involved at the library. He invited her to address the Board. Ms. Smith-Johnson talked about her love of libraries. She suggested attending Olympia Fields Home Owners Association meetings. September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, so it’s a good time to sign up for a library card. She talked about a raffle in which patrons get a second raffle entry for coming a second time to the library after signing up for a card. She suggested recognizing Olympia Fields residents and having events just for Olympia Fields residents. She suggested social media strategies. The Board thanked her for her suggestions. President Pierson invited her to be involved in the future.
Financial Report
Trustee Demian presented the revised May, June, and July financial reports. The Board discussed reimbursements that still need to be made. Trustee Brinson moved that the Board accept the financial reports.
Trustee Hadala seconded. The motion passed.
Report From the Librarian
Library Director VanSwol reported that the library hired four new employees. Library Director VanSwol attended Directors University the first week of August. The library is conducting a survey through October 1. SWAN instituted online library card registration August 26. People who live in the SWAN service area can sign up for a library barcode online, and SWAN will automatically detect the person’s service area and assign the home library. The library is hosting a Local Author Fair on August 30 from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm. Novemberfest is coming November 1. Library Director VanSwol asked the Board whether they would like to have a table at Novemberfest.
Communications
President Pierson stated that the new liaison from the Village Board is Chyla Pennington. President Pierson asked about a table banner. Library Director VanSwol answered that the library has a tablecloth for the Olympia Fields Public Library Board. President Pierson suggested purchasing a $100 gift card for Carolyn Johnson as a farewell gift. The Board discussed gifts for trustees. Trustee Brinson asked about setting a consistent limit for honorariums. The Board discussed setting limits.
Trustee Driver moved to purchase a $100 gift card for Carolyn Johnson. Trustee Brinson seconded.
The motion passed.
Bylaws
Trustee Brinson addressed the Board about the role of Board members. She looked at the state website. She would like to introduce committees. Committees would include Finance, Technology and Marketing, Community Relations, and Bylaws. She would like the whole Board present to approve the new Bylaws. The Board discussed the requirements of the Open Meetings Act. President Pierson thanked Trustee Brinson for her efforts. Trustee Brinson asked if Board members could give reports a couple days before the meeting in case they cannot attend. The Board discussed electronic correspondence. The Board also discussed the L2 account set up.
Adjournment
Trustee Brinson moved to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Driver seconded.
The motion passed.
Meeting adjourned at 7:31 pm