Agenda
Jacksonville Public Library
Board of Trustees
Monday, December 8, 2025 5:00 p.m.
- Call to Order
- Public Comments
- Minutes of November 10, 2025, Board Meeting
- Financial Reports
- Approval of the Payment of Payroll and Bills for December 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
- FY26 Public Library Per Capita Grant application
- New Business
- Adjournment
Minutes
December 8, 2025
The regular meeting of the Jacksonville Public Library Board of Trustees was held on December 8, 2025, in the conference room of the Jacksonville Public Library. The following Trustees were present: President Mary Fergurson, Laura Bandy, Kevin Eckhoff, Elizabeth Kennedy, and Katie Weeks. The following Trustees were absent: Noel Beard, Beth Capo, Lisa Haley, and Forrest Keaton. Library Director Jake Magnuson and Bridgette Fox (staff writer from the Jacksonville Journal-Courier) were 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 November 10, 2025, meeting of the Board of Trustees were approved as corrected.
The financial reports and bills were reviewed. On motion of Kennedy, seconded by Bandy, and carried, the financial reports for December 2025 were approved and all properly approved expenses and payroll for December 2025 in the amount of $60,260.06 are to be paid out of general funds as funds are available.
Magnuson reported that the report for the Endowment Fund as of November 30, 2025 had not yet been received.
Director’s Report
Magnuson reviewed the Director’s Report, November 2025. He reported that the upcoming open Library Clerk position had been posted and a review of the applications was underway.
Magnuson reported that he had been informed by VICC that due to the cold weather and lack of materials, the library parking lot patching project would not be happening this year. It will be rescheduled in the spring.
Magnuson reported that Graham Slam Custodial Services cleaned the carpets.
Magnuson reported that Spotless Perfection Window Cleaning was planning to start the external window cleaning project on the last day of the month, but the snowstorm the previous day caused the work to be delayed. They will look at their calendar and find a day to reschedule.
Magnuson reported that the substantial snowfall also gave him an opportunity to see the status of the patio heater that the library had issues with last year. He reported that it seemed to be working properly, kicking on when it was supposed to and melting all the snow that fell on the patio.
Magnuson reported that the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library met on November 20 and discussed the upcoming annual Book Sale.
Magnuson reported that the topic of Personal Property Replacement Tax came up int eh quarterly RAILS Member Update. The Illinois Library Association’s Public Policy Committee is forming a group to discuss the topic.
Magnuson reported that the American Library Association issued a press release announcing that a U.D. District Court had struck down the Administration’s attempts to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services. It’s still not clear if the grant money appropriated to states in previous years will be included in forthcoming budgets.
Magnuson reported that the library decided to start the Food for Fines program earlier than in previous years. He reported that the program usually runs throughout the month of December but started on November 10 this year.
Magnuson reported that November was a very busy month for Adult Services and included four Adult Service Programs, including pumpkin pie garland craft night and craft day, adult game night, and the monthly book club meeting.
Magnuson reported that the Music Under the Dome performance by Tom Irwin and Ammy Battles on November 16 drew 33 people.
Magnuson reported that Ali Jones is now hosting Tech Drop-in Time at both The Pointe and Cedarhurst. He reported that she helped six residents during her visit to The Pointe, but due to Cedarhurst hiring a new Activity Director, her visit wasn’t on the calendar.
Magnuson reported that Heidi Estabrook and Ali Jones are currently working with Karina Moore from the University of Illinois Extension Office to host a Wits Workout at the library. He also reported that they are planning on attending a Polar Express party and The Pointe in mid-December.
Magnuson reported that Ali Jones attended a meeting of regional public libraries at Western Illinois University. He reported that they discussed the changing face of the library and how if is a hub for each community it serves.
Magnuson reported that Ali Jones also conducted a craft night for Illinois College students, at the same time promoting the library’s programs.
Magnuson reported that the mobile library went to all its scheduled stops in November.
Magnuson reported that Heidi Estabrook virtually attended the 2025 Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services conference. He reported that she attended sessions on senior programming, library partnerships with community organizations, serving the dementia population, and creative ways to reach the community without a bookmobile.
Magnuson reported that all youth programming was well attended in the month of November.
Magnuson reported that the library hosted a Family Reading Night event in collaboration with the Jacksonville High School National English Honor Society. He reported that 25 people attended the event, and everybody had a great time, including the JHS students who helped with the crafts.
Magnuson reported that the monthly visits to the Illinois School for the Deaf were very successful, with students checking out a total of 45 items.
Magnuson reviewed the Comparative Service Report for November 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
Fiscal Year 2026 Public Library Per Capita Grant application. As part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Public Library Per Capita Grant application process, Magnuson and the Board of Trustees reviewed the checklists for the following two areas contained in the Guidelines of the Illinois Library Association Standards for Illinois Public Libraries: Chapter 8 (Technology) and Chapter 9 (Marketing, Promotion, and Collaboration).
NEW BUSINESS
No new business.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, on motion made by Kennedy, seconded by Eckhoff, and carried, the meeting was adjourned at 5:32 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Jake Magnuson