Agenda
Jacksonville Public Library
Board of Trustees
Monday, July 14, 2025 5:00 p.m.
- Call to Order
- Public Comments
- Minutes of June 9, 2025, Board Meeting
- Financial Reports
- Approval of the Payment of Payroll and Bills for July 2025
- Endowment Report
- Director’s Report
- Comparative Service Report
- Committees:
- Automation/Technology
- Building and Grounds
- Finance
- Personnel
- Public Relations
- Friends of the Library
- RSA/RAILS
- Old Business
- Time Capsule Letter
- New Business
- FY26 Public Library Per Capita Grant
- Adjournment
MINUTES
July 14, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Jacksonville Public Library Board of Trustees was held on July 14, 2025, in the conference room of the Jacksonville Public Library. The following Trustees were present: President Mary Fergurson, Beth Capo, Kevin Eckhoff, Forrest Keaton, Elizabeth Kennedy, and Katie Weeks. The following Trustees were absent: Laura Bandy, Noel Beard, and Lisa Haley. Library Director Jake Magnuson was also present.
President Fergurson called the meeting to order at 5:00p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comments.
MINUTES OF JUNE 9 BOARD MEETING
On motion of Eckhoff, seconded by Weeks, and carried, the minutes of the June 9, 2025, meeting of the Board of Trustees were approved as presented.
The financial reports and bills were reviewed. On motion of Capo, seconded by Weeks, and carried, the financial reports for July 2025 were approved, and all properly approved bills and payroll for July 2025 in the amount of $74,720.57 are to be paid out of general funds as funds are available.
ENDOWMENT REPORT
Keaton reported the Endowment Fund market value was $2,473,153.00 as of June 30, 2025, and noted that, after taking into account $89,531.89 of cash disbursements since December 31, 2024, the market value had increased by $66,767.36 since December 31, 2024.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Magnuson reported that June was very busy at the Jacksonville Public Library due to warm weather and the summer reading programs.
Magnuson reported that Neff-Colvin purchased new benches for the greenspace, as the previous ones have been deteriorating. Magnuson reported that there are now three usable benches in the greenspace.
Magnuson reported that Neff-Colvin will be installing the new window at the Youth Services entrance in mid-July, and that upon completing that project, they will address the downspouts so the concrete can be poured by the staff entrance, and the outside sewer line project can be completed.
Magnuson reported that a representative from Sablotny Floors visited the library to assess the carpet in the vestibule between the patio doors, and that the replacement project should be completed in as little as two hours, allowing people to walk on the new carpet as soon as it is installed. Magnuson reported the installation is scheduled first thing on July 23.
Magnuson reported that the annual elevator inspection was performed by Stuard & Associates and Kone Elevators, and that the first inspection failed due to an emergency light malfunction, and that a technician from Kone will be out ASAP to replace it. Magnuson reported that there is ample time to complete the replacement before the library’s license expires.
Magnuson reported that he had a meeting with a representative from Ingram Content Group about creating a library account to purchase books and other materials from them since the library has been having issues with Baker & Taylor placing release day titles and pre-ordered titles immediately on backorder. Magnuson reported that Ingram Content Group operates much the same way as Baker & Taylor, and that by creating an account with them, this can give us another option for purchasing materials if Baker & Taylor continues to have issues with publishers.
Magnuson reported that the Friends of the Library Board held their monthly meeting on June 26. Magnuson reported that the Friends elected new officers: President – Emily Mueller; VP – Marylou Lael; Treasurer – Marty Reid; Secretary – Becky Williams.
Magnuson reported that the Garden Club has already met with much success, with at least sixteen children attending each meeting so far. The Friends have set a tentative date for their puzzle competition fundraiser on September 13. Magnuson reported that Emily and Siobhan intend to be at the event with membership applications, stickers and bookmarks for sale.
Magnuson reported that Chad Boehlke from the Morgan County Historical Society had a display regarding the 1905 Jacksonville Centennial Celebration in the library rotunda during the month of June.
Magnuson reported that he had his WLDS radio segment, and that the Journal-Courier had articles and photos from the Garden Club, the Jacksonville Centennial Celebration display, and the Summer Reading Program events.
Magnuson reported that the library received an award letter regarding the FY25 Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grant, and that the library will receive the funds in the amount of $25,983.60 sometime soon.
Magnuson reported that Brittany and the Circulation staff continued to provide impeccable service to the patrons of the library, and that Diane and Andy continued to perform their duties admirably.
Magnuson reported that Adult Services had a good month, but that the weather played a part in having to reschedule a few events. Ali had twenty-six appointments in June and assisted twenty-two additional patrons with various other requests. Magnuson also reported that she helped three patrons find jobs.
Magnuson reported that the 1905 Centennial Explained program on June 18 was cancelled due to the power outages from the storm, and that it was rescheduled for July 2. Magnuson also reported that the Teen/Adult Craft Night that Ali and Courtney co-hosted was filled, with twenty people attending, and that the Book Club hosted eight Page Turners.
Magnuson reported that Ali continues to post on the library‘s blog and continues to receive positive feedback from patrons.
Magnuson reported that the summer bookmobile has been successful on the days it ran in June, but that Ali was only able to go out on two of the four Fridays due to inclement weather. Magnuson also reported that Ali plans to add another Friday in August, so the Bookmobile will now be concluding on Friday, August 8.
Magnuson reported that Ali and Jake attended the Jacksonville Summerfest on June 11, and it was very enjoyable. Magnuson reported that Ali also attended the Juneteenth event with Heidi, and that they had many people stop at their table for information and games. Magnuson reported that the JPL will be attending some additional outreach events in the upcoming months, including the National Night Out, Illinois College Welcome Back event, numerous back-to-school nights, as well as the Jacksonville Bicentennial.
Magnuson reported that the Mobile Library locations continue to circulate many DVDs and books, and that Heidi has been experiencing a record number of residents reading at The Pointe.
Magnuson reported that Andy Mitchell presented a well-received poetry program at Cedarhurst on the June 9 that had ten attendees.
Magnuson reported that Courtney anticipates an increase from last year when it comes to the Summer Reading Program events, and that overall, the Summer Reading Program has been going swimmingly so far. Magnuson also reported that 160 patrons attended the Summer Reading Opening Party, and that 188 children have signed up for the program so far.
Magnuson reported that the Summer Reading Program events on Tuesday mornings have been extremely well attended, with the Wild Times Exotics being the most popular program so far, with 188 attendees.
Magnuson reported that Courtney has seen her Storytimes being well-attended, with several new families joining the fun. Magnuson also reported that the YMCA has been attending the afternoon storytimes, while the Educational Daycare attends in the mornings.
Magnuson reported that Teen programming was hit and miss in June, with no one attending the Bring Your Own Switch Night, but the life-sized Clue event was well-attended. Magnuson also reported that the Teen/Adult night was well attended with a full crowd.
Magnuson reported that the interactive Super Mario Movie was very successful, with thirty-five patrons attending and remaining for the entire film. Magnuson reported that Courtney intends to try this again with other movies, and that she will evaluate after the interactive Minecraft movie in July.
Magnuson reported that the Pokemon perler beads program was held on the same day as the Lego Club, which is why Courtney believes her programs had such high attendance numbers for both. Magnuson also reported that Courtney received a generous donation of perler supplies from a patron.
Magnuson reported that the Life-Size Candy Land program was a hit, and that Courtney intends to leave the cards out so patrons can play the game throughout the summer.
Magnuson reported that Courtney’s first STEM Club meeting met with great success, and that almost every patron registered attended. Magnuson also reported that despite the patrons enjoying the first meeting, that unfortunately the second STEM Club meeting was not as well attended, so Courtney will continue to hold STEM Club, and will evaluate its success as it progresses.
Magnuson reported that Sensory Sensitive Storytime did not have any participants, and that Courtney plans to continue the program through the end of the year and then decide on how to proceed at that point.
COMPARATIVE SERVICE REPORT
Magnuson reviewed the Comparative Service Report for July 2025.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Automation/Technology
No report.
Building and Grounds
See notes in Director’s Report.
Finance
No report.
Personnel
No report.
Public Relations
No report.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
See notes in Director’s Report.
RAILS/RSA
No report.
OLD BUSINESS
Time Capsule Letter
The City of Jacksonville opened their Sesquicentennial time capsule, and there was a letter addressed to the Trustees of Jacksonville Library Board inside. Trustee President Mary Fergurson opened the letter during the meeting and shared its contents with the board. The board took a photo with the letter and its contents. The contents of the letter will be scanned and placed on the library’s website.
NEW BUSINESS
FY26 Public Library Per Capita Grant
Magnuson reviewed Chapter 1: Core Standards, Chapter 2: Governance & Administration, as well as Chapter 3: Personnel.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, on motion made by Keaton, seconded by Capo, and carried, the meeting was adjourned at 6:06 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Ali Jones