Agenda
Jacksonville Public Library
Board of Trustees
Tuesday, November 10, 2025 5:00 p.m.
- Call to Order
- Public Comments
- Minutes of October 14, 2025, Board Meeting
- Financial Reports
- Approval of the Payment of Payroll and Bills for November 2025
- Endowment Report
- Director’s Report
- Comparative Service Report
- Committees:
- Automation/Technology
- Building and Grounds
- Finance
- 2026 library budget
- Personnel
- Public Relations
- Friends of the Library
- RSA/RAILS
- Old Business
- FY26 Public Library Per Capita Grant application
- New Business
- Schedule of 2026 Board of Trustees meetings
- Days the Jacksonville Public Library will be closed in 2026
- Window Cleaning Proposals
- Adjournment
Minutes
November 10, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Jacksonville Public Library Board of Trustees was held on November 10, 2025, in the conference room of the Jacksonville Public Library. The following Trustees were present: President Mary Fergurson, Noel Beard, Beth Capo, Kevin Eckhoff, Lisa Haley, Forrest Keaton, and Katie Weeks. The following Trustees were absent: Laura Bandy 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 OCTOBER 14 BOARD MEETING
On motion of Beard, seconded by Eckhoff, and carried, the minutes of the October 14, 2025 meeting of the Board of Trustees were approved as presented.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
The financial reports and bills were reviewed. On motion of Beard, seconded by Capo, and carried, the financial reports for November 2025 were approved, and all properly approved bills and payroll for November 2025 in the amount of $65,844.97 are to be paid out of general funds as funds are available.
ENDOWMENT REPORT
Keaton reported that the Endowment Fund market value was $2,605,477.67 as of October 31, 2025, and noted that, after taking into account $115,091.25 of cash disbursements since December 31, 2024, the market value had increased by $275,524.75 since December 31, 2024.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Magnuson reported that the Carnegie Corporation sent a letter to the Jacksonville Public Library on October 22 stating that the JPL will receive a $10,000 gift commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Magnuson reported that the checks are expected to be distributed to all operating Carnegie Libraries in January 2026.
Magnuson reported that he created an account with Ingram Content Group over the summer due to issues with not getting items in a timely manner through Baker & Taylor. He reported that this was a fortunate circumstance as Baker & Taylor will be ceasing operation soon. Magnuson reported that he has created Ingram accounts for himself, Ali Jones and Courtney Langdon to order materials, and that while there will be a learning curve as staff learns the new program, it should actually be a better fit than Baker & Taylor.
Magnuson reported that the Boundless library app will be discontinuing its audio and digital book services in mid-November, and that The Palace Project will house the eRead Illinois collection as Boundless did.
Magnuson reported that Chris Richardson from Morthole Masonry and Doug Megginson from Neff-Colvin met up and concluded that the front step replacement should be done at the same time as the front door replacement. He reported that both Chris and Doug felt it would be best to replace everything as part of a larger project, and that Chris sent his estimate to Doug for the project, and Magnuson is now waiting to receive a proposal from Doug.
Magnuson reported that he signed the parking lot patching proposal with VICC Asphalt and gave them a deposit check. He reported that the work on the parking lot will more than likely occur in early November due to David marking the parking lot on October 31.
Magnuson reported that he began contacting window cleaning companies to get quotes for the external cleaning of the windows in the library.
Magnuson reported that the Friends of the Jacksonville Public Library held their meeting on October 16, and that the December 6 Annual Book Sale planning was underway.
Magnuson reported that the Jacksonville Public Library held their annual In Service Day on October 13. He reported that all full and part-time staff have been properly trained in implementing opioid antagonists. He also reported that a representative from the National Alliance on Mental Illness West Central Office came and spoke to the staff about how to better assist patrons dealing with mental illness.
Magnuson reported that he held his monthly segment on WLDS, and that the local news outlets released several articles and press releases regarding library programs. Magnuson reported that The Source and The Jacksonville Journal-Courier had articles discussing Robert Seufert and Sherri Mitchell’s upcoming Edgar Allan Poe program on October 23 and October 25, respectively. Magnuson reported that the Jacksonville Journal-Courier also had press releases on several of the library’s October programs, as well as an article regarding the gift that the Jacksonville Public Library and other Carnegie libraries received from the Carnegie Corporation on October 30.
Magnuson reported that he picked up a time capsule envelope from the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce for the upcoming time capsule project. Magnuson reported that the Board of Trustees and the library employees will discuss what items will go in the envelope.
Magnuson reported that Adult Services was once again very busy in October, and that Ali helped over one hundred patrons with various requests, as well as helping two patrons find jobs.
Magnuson reported that Adult Service programs were quite successful in October. He reported another full house for the air-dry clay gnome adult craft with twelve patrons attending, as well as eight patrons attending the encore craft. He reported that the Page Turners Book Club had eight patrons attend, and that John Lynn’s return to the JPL with his newest program, The Return of the Dead People of Illinois was another hit with seven patrons attending.
Magnuson reported that Ali had three local presenters in October: The Crisis Center of Jacksonville’s presented Domestic Violence Awareness 101, attracting nine patrons. Local historian Chad Boehlke presented a program on the history of the Jacksonville Public Library and played host to seven patrons. Adult Services wrapped up October programs with Ravens and Tombstones: An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe presented by Robert Seufert and Sherri Mitchell, in which a full house of fifty-eight patrons attended.
Magnuson reported that Ali is now hosting Tech Drop-Ins at both The Pointe and Cedarhurst, and that she had five residents drop-in at her inaugural visit to Cedarhurst. He reported that both Ali and Heidi have been in contact with the Activity Directors at both facilities and are intending to implement “Senior Crafternoons” at the library with residents at The Pointe in November. He reported that Heidi and Ali are working with Karina Moore from the University of Illinois Extension Office to host future “Wits Workouts” at the library.
Magnuson reported that the Mobile Library was successful in October, attending all the scheduled stops as well as visiting homebound patrons. He reported that Heidi works with Talking Books to register new readers, as well as ordering new books, and fielding patron questions.
Magnuson reported that The National Alliance on Mental Illness invited the library to participate in their community awareness run/walk and resources fair on October 11 in Community Park. He reported Heidi attended and shared information regarding the various library resources the JPL has to offer.
Magnuson reported that October was very busy in Youth Services with various programs, as well as Courtney attending the ILA Conference.
Magnuson reported that Baby Storytime has been slower than usual, but that the fluctuations are normal and expected. He reported that overall Storytimes are very well attended.
Magnuson reported that two second grade classes from Our Saviour School stopped by the library at the beginning of October and that they each took a library tour, had storytime, and took some time to browse and familiarize themselves with the youth collection. Magnuson reported that Courtney received very positive feedback from the staff members of Our Saviour School regarding their visits, and hat the students had a wonderful time.
Magnuson reported that three TAB members attended Midwest Youth Services’ Trunk or Treat with Courtney, and that the JPL’s theme of Peter Rabbit was very popular. He reported that families were pleasantly surprised by the JPL giving away fifty donated books at the event.
Magnuson reported that the English Honor Society of Jacksonville High School reached out to Courtney to see about holding another Halloween event as they have over the years, but they were unable to get organized in time, so they intend to team up with Courtney for something in November instead. He reported that the Youth Services Department is celebrating “Dinovember” and plans to hold a dinosaur themed take and make craft for November.
COMPARATIVE SERVICE REPORT
Magnuson reviewed the Comparative Service Report for October 25.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Automation/Technology
No report.
Building and Grounds
See notes in Director’s Report.
Finance
2026 Library Budget
The Finance Committee met on October 22 and approved a draft 2026 library budget. The Board of Trustees reviewed the drafted budget. On motion of Keaton, seconded by Eckhoff, and carried, the 2026 library budget was approved.
Personnel
No report.
Public Relations
No report.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY
See notes in Director’s Report.
RAILS/RSA
No report.
OLD BUSINESS
FY26 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 10 (Programming) and Chapter 11 (Youth/Young Adult Services).
NEW BUSINESS
Schedule of 2026 Board of Trustees Meetings
The Board of Trustees reviewed the proposed schedule of 2026 Jacksonville Library Board of Trustees meetings. On motion of Keaton, seconded by Haley, and carried, the Schedule of the 2026 Jacksonville Library Board of Trustees Meetings was approved as presented.
Days the Jacksonville Public library will be closed in 2026
The Board of Trustees reviewed the proposed dates that the Jacksonville Public Library will be closed in 2026. On motion of Weeks, seconded by Eckhoff, and carried, the 2026 dates in which the Jacksonville Public Library will be closed were approved as presented.
Window Cleaning Proposals
The Board of Trustees reviewed proposals from three facilities regarding window cleaning: Carpenter Cleaning, West Window Cleaning, and Spotless Perfection Window Cleaning. On motion of Keaton, seconded by Eckhoff, and carried, the Spotless Perfection Window Cleaning proposal was approved as presented.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, on motion made by Eckhoff, seconded by Weeks, and carried, the meeting was adjourned at 6:02 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Ali Jones