Library Board of Trustees

Rock Island Public Library Board Meeting Minutes Tuesday, September 19, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Rock Island Public Library – 2nd Floor Community Room, Downtown Library Meeting Facilitator: Jenni Swanson Invitees: Deborah Freiburg, Nick Hammond, Jacki Nelson, Jo Noon, Aleatha Quarles, Dr. Yolanda Grandberry Pugh, Elizabeth Russell, Shelley Johnson; Eudell Watts III (Emeritus Board Member); Angela Campbell, Library Director; Daniel Cuneo, Business & Facilities Director; Lisa Lockheart, Marketing Manager; Kathy Lelonek, Library Foundation Director. ●​ Board President, Jenni Swanson called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. In Attendance: Trustees Nick Hammond, Jacki Nelson, Dr. Yolanda Goldberry Pugh, Jo Noon, and Shelley Johnson. Also in attendance were Library Director Angela Campbell, Business & Facilities Director Daniel Cuneo, Marketing Manager Lisa Lockheart, and Library Foundation Director Kathy Lelonek. Absent: Deborah Freiburg, Aleatha Quarles, and Elizabeth Russell Public Comment: None Approval of Minutes: Trustee Nelson moved to approve the minutes from the Board of Trustee meeting held on August 19, 2025. Trustee Noon seconded. There was no discussion. The minutes were approved via voice vote: all ayes; no nays. Board Education: Illinois Public Library Standards ​ Director Campbell walked the Board through the IPLS for both Buildings & Grounds and Collection Management. Many of the advanced standards for Buildings & Grounds are unattainable given the age of the Downtown Library facility and the recent level of RIPL funding. Feasible areas of improvement mirror objectives in the Library’s current strategic plan. RIPL collections are in great shape. Correspondence: A patron emailed Director Campbell to object to the content of a book in the Children’s Room. Director Campbell replied, informing the patron of both the policy of the RIPL and the laws of the State of Illinois as they pertain to library collections. She has not received a response. ​ The Library Foundation won $1000 donation from MidAmerican Energy. ​ Director Campbell received a complaint from a patron who was denied access to digital services because he lives in a different, served area. He claimed that because another area library had made an exception for him, that RIPL should as well. Director Campbell explained that there was nothing RIPL could: providing this patron access would be out of compliance. Finance Committee Report: Board President Swanson motioned to approve the monthly bills for August, totaling $89,753.66. Trustee Noon seconded. There was no further discussion. The bills were approved via roll call vote: all ayes; no nays. Director Campell offered updates on the FY27 budget meeting the City Manager and City Finance. Neither she nor Director Cuneo were able to glean much from the demeanor of the other participants, but they were told the Library was roughly $280,000 over a balanced budget. City Finance sent an email much later that asked all departments, including the LIbrary, to reduce their FY27 budget by an additional 10%. Directors Campell and Cuneo were able to come up with several options for the Board to consider, based on the direction they foresee for the Library. Accepting the budget as drafted would mean a deficit of roughly $129,00 entering FY27, while also cutting the proposed FT Library social worker and $200,000 in proposed facilities improvements. On the other hand, balancing the budget would require the Library to cut 5 part-time staff members and numerous digital services. President Swanson recommended accepting the budget as drafted, with initial cuts only, and no changes to staff or services. Trustee Noon concurred. Trustees Grandberry-Pugh and Nelson asked if it would be possible to share a social worker with another City department, citing the Library’s great need. Director Campbell noted that there is currently no opportunity to do so; and that the Library has full-time needs even now. A Finance Committee meeting was scheduled for Monday, October 6 @ 1:30 P.M. at the Library’s Watts-Midtown location. Personnel & Policy Committee Report: Trustee Freiburg was absent. Other members gave a brief recount of the recent Personnel & Policy Committee meeting, which included updates to select policies. Director Campbell noted that those changes would be voted on later in the Board meeting, during New Business. Art & Facilities Committee Report: Trustee Nelson asked for an update on the bathroom remodels. Director Cuneo said that the 1st floor restrooms are significantly over all time projections, but final inspections have not been called for by the contractor. He explained some fit & finish issues with the construction, and that he had made the contractor aware of them. It’s unclear if they will be resolved before inspection, however Jeff Laxton, City Construction Officer, is looking into it. He said there has been persistent difficulty getting necessary subcontractors back to finish checklist items. Director Cuneo will keep the Board updated. Meanwhile, the City is still planning on updating the Children’s Room restroom using CDBG funds. The City Architect has completed the plans to make the restroom ADA-compliant, and Director Cuneo is awaiting more information. Planning & Community Relations Committee Report: No updates. Technology Ad-Hoc Committee Report: Trustee Hammond said that the next goal of the committee is to get a color printer and fax machine at all three RIPL locations. Library Foundation Updates: Foundation Director Lelonek is on vacation, so Director Campbell gave the Board some additional details about Eudell’s upcoming BBQ fundraiser. The event coincides with several City events, like Fright Night and 2nd Saturday, and will feature ballet dancers, a book sale, an art opening, and looks to be a lot of fun. Trustee Emeritus Watts added that he’s still in need of auction items for the silent auction, as well as table sponsors. The next meeting of the Foundation Board will be November 13 @ 4:00 P.M. at the Downtown Library, where Director Campbell will detail the Facilities Master Plan for the Foundation members. Director’s Report & Statistics: Director Campbell updated on the Library being in the news. She was one of many interviewees for a large piece in the QC Times on homelessness and homeless services in the Quad Cities. Director Cuneo was interviewed by KWQC News about the recent signing of the Opioid Antagonists Bill and what it means for libraries in the state. Otherwise, Director Campbell has been in the throes of budget season and therefore grateful to be teaching classes on quilting at the Library on weekends. Director Cuneo was pleased to announce that Project Now will be assigning staff members to hold weekly office hours in the Downtown Library. He’s optimistic this can be the beginning of a partnership that greatly benefits the RI community. Statistics: Director Campbell said that monthly statistics look good. Trustee Noon asked how the Lantern Parade went. Milan-Blackhawk Area Public Library District: The next regular meeting is scheduled for September 18, 2025 @ 4 p.m. at the Southwest branch. Unfinished Business: Directors Campbell and Cuneo showed the Board the final Facilities Master Plan booklets and discussed costs. They asked for the Boards input and direction on next steps. President Swanson suggested talking to the Library Foundation first, noting that if they could make a sizable donation to the Master Plan, then RIPL could seek out matching funds from the City, ILSOS, and various grants. She also suggested inviting Mike Johnson and Greg Halpin to the upcoming Foundation Board meeting so they could see the proposed project for themselves and possibly assist with fundraising. Trustee Grandberry-Pugh mentioned that Dr. Williams might aid in community fundraising when the project gets to that stage, because of her literacy initiative. New Business: Trustee Grandberry-Pugh motioned to approve library closings for CY2026. Trustee Johnson seconded. There was no discussion. The motion passed via voice vote: all ayes; no nays. Trustee Noon motioned to approve the CDBG Interdepartmental Memo of Understanding. Trustee Nelson seconded. There was no discussion. The motion passed via roll call vote: 6 ayes and 0 nays. President Swanson asked for a bloc vote to approve the policies. Director Campbell noted that only the Displayed Art policy had changed. Trustee Noon agreed and referenced the Policy Committee meeting. She motioned to approve all policy updates. Trustee Hammond seconded. There was no further discussion. The motion passed via roll call vote: 6 ayes and 0 nays. All policy updates were therefore approved. Information Sharing: ●​ Board Contact Information & Terms ●​ Board Standing Committees ●​ Unique Management Reports ●​ ILA Intellectual Freedom Award ●​ Estimated EAV ●​ Notary Training Completion Certificate ●​ Legal Opinion of Opioid Antagonist Bill ​ Trustee Noon had some questions about naloxone at the RIPL, which Director Cuneo answered. Executive Session: Not needed Announcements: ●​ Next Board Meeting - October 21, 2025 at 5 p.m., Downtown Library With no further business, President Swanson adjourned the meeting at 6 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Daniel Cuneo Business & Facilities Director