Meeting Briefs: Library Board of Trustees for May 27, 2025

The Library Board of Trustees reviewed a preliminary working budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which includes increased funding for staff continuing education. While no vote was taken, the board also discussed an active Request for Proposals (RFP) to hire a financial advisor who will work with bond counsel on future financial planning. Treasurer Alvin Kempf, Jr. praised the investment in staff development.

To comply with new minimum wage laws, the board approved updated job descriptions for several positions. Following a suggestion by Trustee Erin Minh, the board also instituted a new policy requiring bi-annual personnel reports to ensure library salaries remain competitive with other institutions. The reports will be provided at the end of the calendar and fiscal years.

Database Subscriptions Canceled to Save Funds
Following a review of usage statistics, the library will cancel several underutilized database subscriptions. Executive Director Cathy Palmer explained the decision was based on justifying costs, though she noted the challenge of comparing metrics across different platforms. The board can choose to renew the subscriptions in the future if significant patron demand arises.

Local History Digitization Project Moves Forward
The library will begin a significant digitization project in July, aiming to make past issues of the Mokena News Bulletin available to the public online. The initiative is part of an ongoing effort to expand community access to local historical records and was announced by Executive Director Cathy Palmer during her monthly report.

Trustees Request Enhanced Patron Data
To better understand public usage patterns, Trustee Marilyn O’Rourke requested that future staff reports on patron counts include trend lines. This data visualization is intended to help the board and public more easily interpret how the library is being used over time. The request came during the review of monthly patron and circulation statistics.

Summer Reading Program Earns Praise
Multiple trustees expressed their excitement for the upcoming summer reading program. Trustee Camille Gonzalez-Jensen thanked staff for their work on the program, and Trustee Sara Carmody noted she had successfully connected library staff with the assistant principal at the local junior high school to improve intergovernmental communication for the reading programs.

Computer Malfunction Affects IT Reporting
The board was informed that a recent computer lab malfunction was the reason that IT statistics were not available for this month’s meeting packet. Executive Director Cathy Palmer explained the issue during her report to the trustees.