Agenda
Jacksonville Public Library
Board of Trustees
Monday, July 13, 2026 5:00 p.m.
- Call to Order
- Public Comments
- Minutes of June 8, 2026, Board Meeting
- Financial Reports
- Approval of the Payment of Payroll and Bills for July 2026
- 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
- Strategic Plan Proposal
- New Business
- FY27 Public Library Per Capita Grant application
- Adjournment
MINUTES
July 13, 2026
The regular meeting of the Jacksonville Public Library Board of Trustees was held on July 13, 2026, in the conference room of the Jacksonville Public Library. The following Trustees were present: President Mary Fergurson, Laura Bandy, Noel Beard, Beth Capo, Kevin Eckhoff, Forrest Keaton, and Katie Weeks. The following Trustees were absent: Lisa Haley and Elizabeth Kennedy. Library Director Jake Magnuson was also present.
President Fergurson called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
No public comments.
MINUTES OF June 8, 2026, BOARD MEETING
On motion of Eckhoff,seconded by Beard,and carried, the minutes of June 8, 2026, meeting of the Board of Trustees were approved.
FINANCIAL REPORT
The financial reports and bills were reviewed. On motion of Weeks, seconded by Capo, and carried, the financial reports for July 2026 were approved, and all properly approved bills and payroll for July 2026 in the amount of $79,406.70are to be paid out of general funds as funds are available.
ENDOWMENT REPORT
Keaton reported the Endowment Fund market value was $2,722,163.70 as of June 30, 2026, and noted that, after taking into account $97,655.39 of cash disbursements since December 31, 2025, the market value had increased by $213,960.17 since December 31, 2025.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Magnuson reported that Matt Martin Consulting upgraded the wireless network and noted that the previous problems have not recurred since the upgrade.
Magnuson reported that Green Works removed several partially dead trees from the parking lot landscape beds. He also brought up the need to renovate the parking lot landscaping sometime soon. He reported that Green Works had submitted a proposal several years ago for the renovation and have offered to split the project up into two separate projects, one to replace the plants along the alley and the other to renovate the beds. Either way, it seems the projects will be above the limit for getting bids.
Magnuson reported that he followed up with Sarah Keister Armstrong regarding her proposal for creating a strategic plan for the library. He reported that she said that the content and structure of the proposed project would remain the same, whether the project was virtual or in person.
Magnuson reported that the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library board held their regular meeting and approved Treasurer’s Report from May. He reported that they also discussed the upcoming annual membership drive. He also reported that the Garden Club is doing well and has been well attended.
Magnuson reported that his monthly WLDS segment went well, and that the Jacksonville Journal-Courier featured several library-related articles and press releases, including front-page articles about the Summer Reading Program and the Illinois State Treasurer’s I-CASH program.
Magnuson reported that Adult Services programs were successful in June: the craft night on June 3 had sixteen people attend, and the encore craft on June 13 had eight attendees. He reported that the I-CASH event put on by the Illinois Treasurer attracted thirteen patrons and found more than $10,000 in unclaimed property for attendees. He reported that Ali and Courtney’s Teen/Adult Craft Night during Summer Reading attracted eight attendees.
Magnuson reported that despite only running two of the scheduled three bookmobile stops due to a death in the family, the bookmobile has had a successful summer.
Magnuson reported that Heidi made all her regular deliveries to facilities and homebound patrons.
Magnuson reported that Heidi attended the Morgan/Greene/Scott County Interagency Meeting and talked about summer programs at the library.
Heidi and Abby represented the library at the Summer Fun and Wellness Fest in Community Park and at the Juneteenth Celebration on the Town Square.
Magnuson reported that the start of the Summer Reading Program made for a extremely busy month for Youth Services. He reported that all of the events were very well attended, including 280 people for the Wild Times Exotics program. He also reported that the Wild Times Exotics program has outgrown the library’s space. Since it is one of the more popular library programs, the library is working on ways to continue offering the program, including scheduling it earlier in the year when it can take place outside.
Magnuson reported other non-performer events were also well attended and successful.
COMPARATIVE SERVICE REPORT
Magnuson reviewed the Comparative Service Report for June 2026.
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
See director’s report.
RAILS/RSA
No report.
OLD BUSINESS
The board discussed the previous strategic plan proposal from Sarah Keister Armstrong, along with the new proposal from Fast Forward Libraries. It was determined that before the library spends money on hiring a consultant, they will revisit the previous strategic plan created in 2018 and see how the library is doing in achieving the goals that were disrupted by the pandemic.
NEW BUSINESS
In preparation for the FY2027 Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Grant application, the first two Illinois Public Library Standards were reviewed. The standards that were reviewed were “Access” and “Advocacy and Community Engagement.”
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, on motion made by Beard, seconded by Capoand carried, the meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Jake Magnuson