Olympia Fields Public Library Board of Trustees
September 24, 2025
Minutes
Roll Call
The regular meeting of the Olympia Fields Public Library Board of Trustees was called to order at 6:36 pm.
Trustees Present: Jerry Pierson (President), Sherry Demian (Treasurer), Elizabeth Hadala (Secretary), and Fredi Taylor
Absent: Dr. Taneen Brinson (Vice President), Dr. Kametta Clark (Parliamentarian), and Keasar Driver
Also Present: Mary VanSwol
December Meeting
The Board discussed a location for the December meeting. Library Director VanSwol will check to see if the library is available.
Minutes
Trustee Demian moved to approve the minutes of the August meeting. Trustee Taylor seconded. The motion passed.
Correspondence
Trustee Demian stated that N’Deye from the Village gave her a check for the per capita grant that came in the mail.
Financial Report
Trustee Demian presented the financial report. Property tax bills have not been sent out in Cook County yet. Trustee Hadala moved that the Board accept the financial report. Trustee Pierson seconded. The motion passed.
Bylaws
President Pierson stated that the Board would review the bylaws when Trustee Brinson returns.
Finances
Trustee Demian looked into the standard for honorariums. She stated that $50 is the amount that the Board usually gives someone for services, like installing the Little Free Library. The Board has donated to charities, which is usually about $100. The Board discussed how to decide how much to give for each given situation. They discussed having a minimum listed as a guideline, with room for discretion on how much the service was worth. The Board discussed past spending, especially care baskets. They also discussed the presence of the Board in the community. President Pierson asked that the finance committee give a recommendation on future spending.
NovemberFest
Trustee Demian stated that in the past the Board donated money for the fall fest. Novemberfest is November 1. Trustee Demian moved that the Board contribute $1,000 for the Novemberfest. Trustee Taylor seconded. The Board discussed supporting the raffle baskets, two at $250 each. Trustee Demian moved to amend the amount to $500 for the raffle at Novemberfest. Trustee Hadala seconded. The motion passed.
Budget Process
President Pierson stated that he discussed the budget process with Trustee Demian. Trustee Demian will present to the Board on the budget process. The Board discussed how the presentation will take place. One suggestion was to have quarterly planning meetings where presentations/training sessions could take place on various topics. President Pierson asked Trustee Demian when she could present. She suggested the early part of November.
Report From the Librarian
Library Director VanSwol reported that September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. People who sign up for a library card are entered into a raffle. There’s an additional prize if they complete a BINGO card. The last day for the patron survey is October 1, but library staff will extend the survey to October 4 for those attending Olympia Fields October Fest. The library will have a table. Novemberfest at the library is November 1 from 11-1 pm. Trustees are invited to run a table for their Board, including a raffle basket. On Saturday, September 27, the library will host a program on “Hidden Messages in Negro Spirituals on the Underground Railroad” at 1 pm. Photos and video are prohibited during this presentation. Library Director VanSwol asked the Board if they would like the library to attempt to get emails for them that end olympiafieldspl.org or ofpl.net. The Board discussed options for a domain name. Trustee Demian asked if the domain could be oflb.org for Olympia Fields Library Board. President Pierson stated that he had asked the Village of Olympia Fields about email addresses. The Board will let Library Director VanSwol know about the email addresses.
Adjournment
Trustee Demian moved to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Hadala seconded. The motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm