Search Our Catalog
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE JACKSONVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD
April 14, 2025
The regular meeting of the Jacksonville Public Library Board of Trustees was held on April 14, 2025, in the conference room of the Jacksonville Public Library. The following Trustees were present: President Mary Fergurson, Laura Bandy, Noel Beard, Kevin Eckhoff, Lisa Haley, Forrest Keaton, Elizabeth Kennedy, and Katie Weeks. The following Trustee was absent: Beth Capo. Library Director Jake Magnuson was also present.
President Fergurson called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
President Fergurson asked if there were any persons desiring to make public comments, and there were none.
On motion of Eckhoff, seconded by Weeks, and carried, the minutes of the March 10, 2025 meeting of the Board of Trustees were approved as published.
The financial reports and bills were reviewed. On motion of Haley, seconded by Kennedy, and carried, the financial reports for April 2025 were approved and all properly approved expenses and payroll for April 2025 in the amount of $65,644.22 are to be paid out of general funds as funds are available.
Keaton reported the Endowment Fund market value was $2,375,750.81 as of March 31, 2025, and noted that, after taking into account $18,797.14 of cash disbursements since December 31, 2024, the market value had decreased by $22,261.04 since December 31, 2024.
Director’s Report
Magnuson reviewed the Director’s Report, March 2025. He reported that March had been a rather quiet month.
Magnuson reported that one of the floor tiles in the rotunda had come loose and had been replaced. He stated that Sablotney Floors suggested that regrouting the floor might be appropriate.
Magnuson reported that Tim Powell Painting has begun the window and door painting project and that Doug Megginson from Neff-Colvin has ordered a window to replace the rotten one on the west side of the building.
Magnuson reported that Doug Megginson and Doyle Plumbing have been discussing how to handle possible re-routing of downspouts.
Magnuson reported that the first version of the new website from CyberOptik was received on March 4th and a review by Library staff for first revision is nearing completion.
Magnuson reported that the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library met on March 20th, and the Author of the Year contest has been completed, with the presentation of the awards scheduled for April 24th. He reported that the Friends are also considering a jigsaw puzzle competition as a fundraiser.
Magnuson reported on his monthly radio segment on WLDS radio and on numerous articles in the Jacksonville Journal-Courier. He noted the successful programs of Robert Seufert and Sherri Mitchell on “Poetical Treasures of the British Isles,” and the Music Under the Dome program of Cherry & Jerry, for which they were featured on Elm City Radio, an internet radio station based in Jacksonville.
Magnuson reported that, in Adult Services, Ali Jones had 32 appointments in March for technology assistance and other topics. She assisted two patrons in finding jobs. The Adult Craft Night was well attended with 19 patrons in attendance. Local author, Jim Proffitt gave a presentation on his experiences writing and publishing his books. The Music Under the Dome performance by Cherry & Jerry drew 51 attendees on March 9th.
Magnuson reported that Ali Jones has worked with the Activity Director at The Pointe to schedule two technology assistance sessions at its facility in April and is waiting to hear from the Activity Director at Cedarhurst about similar sessions.
Magnuson reported that staff worked on a project to move the graphic novels to a new location on the top floor, rather than having them scattered throughout the adult and young adult collections.
Magnuson reported that Ali Jones has begun planning for the summer bookmobile program and is looking for another location to add to the list for the program.
Magnuson reported that Ali Jones is working on developing a reference policy and will be working on various ways to better advertise the databases and online resources offered by the library.
Magnuson reported that, in Outreach Services, Heidi Estabrook had taken the mobile library to six residential facilities, as well as numerous individual homebound patrons. He reported that she and Courtney Langdon had also delivered books to students at the Illinois School for the Deaf. He also reported that Heidi Estabrook had attended an Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services webinar entitled "Challenges to Mental Health in Rural Communities” and a meeting of the Bookmobile and Library Outreach Networking Group.
Magnuson reported that, in Youth Services, storytime was well attended in March and included students from Salem Lutheran School. He reported that, for passive programming, there was a Picture Book Character March Madness that was fun for families. Also, Courtney Langdon obtained clover terrarium “take and makes” which were gone in a short time after being put out for the patrons.
Magnuson reported that the Teen Advisory Board is going to change its meeting schedule to the first and last Thursdays of each month and is also interested in meeting more often during the summer.
Magnuson reported that Courtney Langdon has received great feedback about the Early Chapter Book section and that families have expressed their appreciation for having those transitional books grouped together.
Magnuson reported that Courtney Langdon is trying to generate an increase in signups for the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program. He stated that she is also continuing to plan for Summer Reading and that the calendar for that program should be ready to go out in early May.
Magnuson reviewed the Comparative Service Report for March 2025.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Automation/Technology
No report.
Building and Grounds
No report.
Finance
No report.
Personnel
No report
Public Relations
No report.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
No report.
RAILS/RSA
No report.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
The Board of Directors discussed the Joint Statement on Changes at the Institute of Museum and Library Services that was published by the heads of the Association of Illinois School Library Educators, the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois, the Illinois Heartland Library System, the Illinois Library Association, and Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) and which had been distributed by Magnuson.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, on motion made by Beard, seconded by Eckhoff, and carried, the meeting was adjourned at 5:42 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Forrest Keaton
