Agenda
Jacksonville Public Library
Board of Trustees
Monday, April 13, 2026 5:00 p.m.
- Call to Order
- Public Comments
- Minutes of March 9, 2026, Board Meeting
- Financial Reports
- Approval of the Payment of Payroll and Bills for April 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
- Adjournment
MINUTES
APRIL 13, 2026
The regular meeting of the Jacksonville Public Library Board of Trustees was held on April 13, 2026, 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, and Elizabeth Kennedy. The following Trustees were absent: Beth Capo and Katie Weeks. 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 MARCH 9, 2026 BOARD MEETING
On motion of Eckhoff,seconded by Weeks,and carried, the minutes of March 9, 2026, meeting of the Board of Trustees were approved.
FINANCIAL REPORT
The financial reports and bills were reviewed. On motion of Haley, seconded by Beard, and carried, the financial reports for April 2026 were approved, and all properly approved bills and payroll for April 2026 in the amount of $70,450.19are to be paid out of general funds as funds are available.
ENDOWMENT REPORT
Keaton reported the Endowment Fund market value was $2,521,482.94 as of March 31, 2026, and noted that, after taking into account $23,099.11 of cash disbursements since December 31, 2025, the market value had decreased by $61,276.87 since December 31, 2025.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Magnuson reported that VICC completed the parking lot patching during the second week in April, and that they will complete the sealcoating in May or June.
Magnuson reported that Mortenson Roofing performed their annual roof inspection on March 26, and that they last inspected it in November 2024. Magnuson reported that he will continue to schedule annual inspections, and that the current inspection was positive for the most part. A few loose tiles needed to be secured, and some seams needed to be resealed.
Magnuson reported that the Jacksonville Fire Inspector performed his fire safety inspection on March 30, and that there were a few batteries in exit signs that needed to be replaced. Cors Electric will be coming in to replace the batteries in the upcoming weeks and will also need to replace a few lightbulbs.
Magnuson reported that the Friends of the Library Board held their meeting on March 19, and that the Author of the Year Contest was discussed among the six board members in attendance, with the celebration of the winners happening on April 15. Magnuson reported that the membership card design contest had three winners, and that the Friends intend to have the cards printed for an upcoming membership drive.
Magnuson reported that his monthly WLDS segment went well, with the Jacksonville Journal-Courier featuring yet another front-page library photo.
Magnuson reported that the Circulation department continues to provide excellent service to its patrons, and that Brittany continues to keep the library’s social media and website current.
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 the following Adult Services programs were successful in March: The Family Craft on March 14 was fun – they made bunny pots. Magnuson reported that Ali’s game night for adults had seven attendees, and that the Teen/Adult Craft Night co-hosted by Courtney and Ali had ten patrons who painted candles. Magnuson reported that the local author program with Robert Potter on March 26 did not have any attendees, but that could have been due to a storm that evening.
Magnuson reported that Ali continues to promote events and library services and sends press releases to the local media outlets. Magnuson reported that Ali has begun highlighting the numerous digital resources the Jacksonville Public Library has to offer via social media. Magnuson reported that Ali has booked some America250-related programming for 2026.
Magnuson reported that Ali has been working hard on weeding the non-fiction section of the library and has been ordering non-fiction titles to supplement the regular ordering of materials.
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 has been working hand-in-hand with The Job Center to help the community members of Jacksonville find employment, and that she has scaled back her involvement in the job-hunting process to resume building and creating email accounts. Magnuson reported that Jeni Sprinkle will be holding a program at the library in April to inform patrons what the Job Center can do for them.
Magnuson reported that Heidi continues to perform her outreach services in an exemplary manner.
Magnuson reported that Heidi attended the “Read across America” Event held by Lincoln Land Community College on March 2, and that she also spoke to the Sunrise Rotary Club about Outreach services provided by the library.
Magnuson reported that the WITS Workout program held on March 10 had thirteen participants, and that Heidi is working with Karina Moore from the U of I Extension office to plan for monthly sessions throughout the year.
Magnuson reported that the outreach memory kits, renamed Connection Kits, that Heidi purchased for the library have shown success at The Pointe, and that she will evaluate them to decide what she should purchase next. Magnuson reported that Heidi has created a bibliography of all of JPL’s Alzheimer’s/dementia titles, and that the bibliography contains descriptions of all titles and will be shelved with the Connection Kits.
Magnuson reported that Heidi discussed creating a possible dementia program with Karina Moore of the U of I Extension office, and that she plans to have Todd Lamison with the Alzheimer’s Association hold a program on prevention.
Magnuson reported that Youth Services has seen a significant uptick in attendance at Friday Storytime due to the renaming of it from Baby to Toddler Storytime.
Magnuson reported that the Adult/Teen Craft was successful in March, and that Ali and Courtney plan to collaborate on another Adult/Teen Craft during Summer Reading.
Magnuson reported that Sensory Sensitive Storytime will no longer be held at this time due to lack of attendance, but that Courtney intends to incorporate more sensory experiences into her future programming.
Magnuson reported that Courtney spent a good part of March planning for the upcoming Baby Rave, as well as Summer Reading. Magnuson reported that patrons are expressing a lot of interest in the Baby Rave, so hopefully it will be well-attended.
Magnuson reported that Youth Services has already begun planning for Summer Reading, and that Abby has already begun creating décor, and that Courtney has some fun programs on the calendar. Magnuson reported that Courtney will be implementing more interactive movies since they were successful last summer, and that a life-sized Oregon Trail game is currently in the works!
Magnuson reported that this summer’s opening party will be a Messtival, which is an outdoor event with lots of messy crafts and games.
COMPARATIVE SERVICE REPORT
Magnuson reviewed the Comparative Service Report for March 2026.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Automation/Technology.
Magnuson reported that Matt Martin Consulting informed him that the building’s wireless network will need to be updated soon.
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
No new business.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, on motion made by Weeks, seconded by Eckhoffand carried, the meeting was adjourned at 5:34 p.m. Respectfully submitted by Ali Jones