Agenda
Jacksonville Public Library
Board of Trustees
Monday, June 8, 2026 5:00 p.m.
- Call to Order
- Public Comments
- Minutes of May 11, 2026, Board Meeting
- Financial Reports
- Approval of the Payment of Payroll and Bills for June 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
- New Business
- Strategic Plan Proposal
- Adjournment
MINUTES
June 8, 2026
The regular meeting of the Jacksonville Public Library Board of Trustees was held on June 8, 2026, in the conference room of the Jacksonville Public Library. The following Trustees were present: President Mary Fergurson, Noel Beard, Beth Capo, Kevin Eckhoff, Forrest Keaton, Elizabeth Kennedy, and Katie Weeks. The following Trustees were absent: Laura Bandy and Lisa Haley. 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 May 11, 2026, BOARD MEETING
On motion of Beard,seconded by Eckhoff,and carried, the minutes of May 11, 2026, meeting of the Board of Trustees were approved.
FINANCIAL REPORT
The financial reports and bills were reviewed. On motion of Capo, seconded by Weeks, and carried, the financial reports for June 2026 were approved, and all properly approved bills and payroll for June 2026 in the amount of $67,748.63are to be paid out of general funds as funds are available.
ENDOWMENT REPORT
Keaton reported that the report for the Endowment Fund as of May 31, 2026, had not yet been received.
Keaton also reported that, on June 15, US Bank Private Wealth Management will be making a required distribution of $63,597 from the Endowment Fund to the Library’s Heartland Bank and Trust general fund account.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Magnuson reported that VICC completed the parking lot crack filling and seal-coating early in the month and returned later in the month to do the striping. The parking lot project is now complete.
Magnuson reported that the wireless network upgrade proposal from Matt Martin Consulting that was approved at the May board meeting was accepted. He reported that the parts were being ordered and the work would be scheduled soon.
Magnuson reported that the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library board held the regular meeting and approved Treasurer’s Reports from March and April. He reported that they also discussed the upcoming annual membership drive. One of the topics of conversation was trying to figure out a way to better keep track of when membership renewals are due. He reported they also wrapped up a successful Author for the Year contest. He reported that the board also discussed the upcoming start of the Garden Club season. It was determined that replacement beds needed to be purchased for the garden.
Magnuson reported that his monthly WLDS segment went well, and that the Jacksonville Journal-Courier featured several library-related articles and press releases, including a front-page article about the rock garden that the Westfair school’s Kindness Club installed at the library.
Magnuson reported that Adult Services had another productive month, and that Ali continues to meet with patrons to assist with technology questions.
Magnuson reported that for the most part, Adult Services programs were successful in May: The craft night on May 6 had ten people attend, and the encore craft on May 16 had five attendees. He reported that a presentation from the Crisis Center of Jacksonville on the impact of domestic violence on mental health attracted eight attendees. He reported that the collaborative programs Heidi and Ali have developed with Karina Moore from the University of Illinois Extension Office have really borne fruit. The monthly Wits Fitness program had nine attendees and the Dementia Friends Training on May 21 had 22 attendees and was very well-received.
Magnuson reported that, while it is getting late in the year to do a major planting program, Ali has also been in communication with the Extension Office about a seed library program.
Magnuson reported that the Tech Drop-in times at The Pointe and Cedarhurst continue to be successful, with Ali having residents at both facilities requesting tech help.
Magnuson reported that Ali spent time preparing for both the Adult Summer Reading Program and the Bookmobile. The Bookmobile will include the same stops as last year and Ali will be assisted again by Tatum.
Magnuson reported that Ali and Courtney represented the library at the Jacksonville Pride event on May 30.
Magnuson reported that Heidi made all her regular deliveries to facilities and homebound patrons.
Magnuson reported that Heidi represented the library at the Salvation Army’s Baby Shower, talking about library services and giving out books to 20 moms-to-be.
Magnuson reported that Youth Services had an abbreviated storytime schedule in May as Courtney took a vacation and made final preparations for the Summer Reading Program. He reported that she feels much more prepared at this point than she has in past years.
Magnuson reported that fifth and sixth graders from Our Saviour School visited the library for a tour and a scavenger hunt.
COMPARATIVE SERVICE REPORT
Magnuson reviewed the Comparative Service Report for May 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
No old business.
NEW BUSINESS
Magnuson presented a proposal from Sarah Keister Armstrong and Associates for creating a strategic plan for the library. After some discussion, it was decided that Magnuson will reach out to other consultants to collect other options. He will also reach out to other area libraries to determine how they have approached strategic plans in the past.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, on motion made by Keaton, seconded by Beardand carried, the meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Jake Magnuson