Carbondale Public Library Board

Carbondale Public Library Board of Trustees 405 W. Main Street, Carbondale, IL 62901, Library Meeting Room Wednesday, August 13, 2025, 4:30 p.m. MINUTES Call to order. Ms. Mays called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m. Present: Chastity Mays, President (2) Frances Anterola, Vice President Barbara Levine, Treasurer (1) Philip Brown Roland Person Don Prosser Aimee Trojnar Absent Susan Tulis, Secretary (2) Julian Pei (1) Staff present. Jennifer Robertson, Director Gwen Hall Grosshenrich, Finance Manager Visitors or Guests. None. President’s report. None. Secretary’s report. 1. Approval of the July 9, 2025, Board Meeting minutes. Ms. Trojnar moved to approve the minutes. Ms. Mays seconded the motion. The motion carried with unanimous approval. Correspondence and communications. Financial report. 1. Approval of the bills payable up to and including August 13, 2025, through September 10, 2025. Mr. Brown moved to approve the bills payable. Mr. Person seconded the motion. The motion carried with unanimous approval. 2. Acceptance of the financial report for July 2025. Mr. Prosser moved to approve the financial report. Ms. Trojnar seconded the motion. The motion carried with unanimous approval. Librarian’s report. 1. Building and maintenance. a. Due to HVAC equipment delivery schedules, the roofing and HVAC upgrade project with J&L Robinson Development & Construction has been delayed to an October 15th  construction start. All materials are on order, with roofing work pending roof curb availability that will coincide with equipment delivery. 2. Personnel. a. We are moving forward with the next candidate for the Adult Programming Coordinator position after the initial hire did not report for work. Following the unexpected loss of our social worker in July, we have posted the replacement position and received several applications. 3. Strategic planning. a. The Five-Year Planning process was discussed. 4. HB 1910. a. Illinois House Bill 1910, effective January 1, 2026, requires all public libraries to maintain opioid antagonists and have trained personnel available during operating hours, with liability protection provided except in cases of willful misconduct. i. Library staff are well-positioned for compliance, as many are already trained, and we maintain supplies throughout the library. ii. Southern Illinois University School of Medicine has offered to stock a naloxone vending machine to provide community access during library hours. Ms. Mays moved to approve the vending machine at the library. Mr. Brown seconded the motion. The motion carried with unanimous approval. 5. Libraries with Heart. a. Ms. Robertson is applying for the American Heart Association's Libraries with Heart program in partnership with the Carbondale Rotary Club. This program provides free blood pressure monitoring kits for patron checkout, addressing community healthcare access barriers. 6. Community schools literacy resolution. a. Carbondale Elementary School District #95 has requested board adoption of a proclamation supporting their "Communities that Read Together, Rise Together" literacy initiative, which addresses concerning statistics showing only 31-33% of local students scoring proficient in reading assessments. The proclamation is recommended as a natural fit for the library's mission, strengthening school partnerships and demonstrating commitment to community-wide educational success through this low-cost, high-impact collaboration. 7. Other. Committee reports. Unfinished business. New business. 1. Agreement with Fast Forward Libraries for strategic planning services. [No action taken] 2. Adopt District 95 Literacy Initiative Resolution. Mr. Person moved the board adopt the resolution as presented. Ms. Mays seconded the motion. The motion carried with unanimous approval. Other.  1. Patron behavior. a. Ms. Robertson reported disruptive patron behavior. After some discussion, Mr. Prosser moved to place the patron on a 90-day ban from the library and grounds. Mr. Person seconded the motion. The motion carried with unanimous approval. Adjournment. Ms. Mays adjourned the meeting at 5:19 p.m. Respectfully submitted: Susan Tulis, Secretary Prepared by: Jennifer Robertson, Library Director Board Meetings for 2025. Board Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. in the Carbondale Public Library meeting room unless noted. Agendas for regular Board Meetings are posted on the Library website no later than forty-eight (48) hours before the meeting date at links.carbondalepubliclibrary.org/agenda Meeting Dates. January 8, February 12, March 12, April 9, May 14, June 11, July 9, August 13, September 10, October 8, November 12, & December 10