Library Board Minutes 2025 05-12-25APPROVED 6/9/25
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Yorkville Public Library
Board of Trustees Meeting
Monday, May 12, 2025 7:00pm
Michelle Pfister Meeting Room
902 Game Farm Road, Yorkville, IL
The Board of Trustees meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by President Theron Garcia, roll was called and a
quorum was established.
Roll Call:
Jason Hedman-yes, Keri Pesola-yes, Jackie Milschewski-yes, Wendy Gatz-(arr. 7:02pm), Ryan Forristall-yes,
Theron Garcia-yes, Sharon Mix-yes, Valerie Burd-yes, Tara Schumacher-yes
Staff Present:
Library Director Shelley Augustine
Others Present:
Friends of Library President Kathi Bell, Boy Scout Sean Humpage--Troop #40
Recognition of Visitors:
President Garcia recognized staff and guests.
Amendments to the Agenda: None
Presentations:
Sean Humpage, Troop #40 Boy Scout, was present at last month's Board meeting and returned this month to
present further information regarding his proposed Eagle Scout project for the library. He gave a slide
presentation explaining the project which is a small food pantry on wheels to be placed in the library and initially
stocked by him. He will plan, organize and lead others to actually do the project and will pay for the cost of
materials. It is expected to be completed by fall. Eventually he hopes the Friends of the Library would assume
oversight. Some of the questions from Board members included: who will determine who is eligible to take
items, how will the pantry by promoted/advertised, who will monitor it/could it be someone from the main Food
Pantry and what is the size. Mr. Humpage will attend the June Friends of the Library meeting to determine if the
Friends can manage it when it is finished.
President Garcia asked for a roll call vote whether or not to approve the project.
Roll call: Pesola-yes, Milschewski-yes, Gatz-yes, Forristall-yes, Garcia-yes, Mix-yes, Burd-yes, Schumacher-
yes, Hedman-yes. Approved 9-0. Ms. Garcia asked Mr. Humpage to determine how the food pantry will
continue once it's complete and Mr. Hedman asked him to include paths for sustainability in his presentation.
Approval of Minutes: April 14, 2025
Moved by Ms. Garcia and seconded by Ms. Milschewski to approve the Library Board of Trustees minutes as
presented. Roll call: Gatz-yes, Forristall-yes, Garcia-yes, Mix-yes, Burd-yes, Schumacher-yes, Hedman-yes,
Pesola-yes, Milschewski-yes. Carried 9-0.
Correspondence: None
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Public Comment: None
Friends of the Library Report:
Kathi Bell, newly elected Friends of the Library President, was present and gave a report of the Friends annual
meeting held this morning. She said reports were given by the President and Treasurer who stated the Friends
have $31,473.13 unencumbered funds at year end. A budget and slate of officers was approved and she listed the
newly elected officers. Then the Friends held their monthly meeting. They discussed mini-golf and decided to
cancel it for next year and explore other fundraisers. They approved holding 2 book sales, one on Labor Day
and one on March 7, 2026. The group also approved amendments to their by-laws which included changing the
fiscal year to May 1 to April 30.
Staff Comment: None
Report of the Treasurer:
Financial Statement and Payment of Bills
Treasurer Milschewski said there was nothing outstanding to report this month and she entertained a motion to
pay the bills as follows with a second by President Garcia.
Accounts Payable: $17,184.69
Payroll: $41,534.76
Total: $58,719.45
Roll call: Milschewski-yes, Gatz-yes, Forristall-yes, Garcia-yes, Mix-yes, Burd-yes, Schumacher-yes, Hedman-
yes, Pesola-yes. Carried 9-0.
Report of the Library Director:
Ms. Augustine reported the following:
1. The chiller is running with a few checklist items to be done. Some training on the BAS is still needed.
2. A spring cleanup was completed and the internet cable was accidentally cut.
3. A staff member attended the PrairieCat resource sharing summit in DeKalb.
4. Ten circulation staff members completed their County Clerk Registrar training--their terms are 2 years.
5. A staff member is on the PrairieCat User Experience committee and the committee was tasked with
recommending a mobile app vendor for PrairieCat. It has been voted on and approved and Ms.
Augustine has signed an IGA. A new mobile app should be available in October and PrairieCat is
working on marketing materials.
6. Staff created a flier on the potential federal funding cuts and how it could affect the library. Patrons can
share stories of the impact the library has had on their family.
7. The mini-golf will not be held this coming February. There are new members in Friends of the Library
and they are researching new ideas on fundraising. Ms. Bell said the mini-golf setup is physically
demanding and many of the Friends members are unable to take this on. She noted the raffle actually
brought in a large amount of money. They are looking for a family-oriented activity type fundraiser.
8. Ms. Augustine noted other communities are doing “community nights out” in which a portion of the
funds come back to the library.
9. IMLS update: Funds have been received and put into FY 26 state library budget. Illinois state library
instructed regional library systems like RAILS, etc. to plan for level funding for next FY. RAILS has a
substantial reserve to help them. There was a decision on May 1 which prohibits the administration
from further dismantling the IMLS and Congress will need to reauthorize IMLS act for next federal
financial year.
10. The Director was notified that funding has been received for Connect Kendall County Commission of
which Ms. Augustine is a member. This will bring broadband to the under-served/unserved residents of
the county. More meetings will be held since the funding is in place.
11. The FY has ended. She will present annual report next month and she also presented some year-end
stats.
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City Council Liaison: None
Standing Committees: None
Unfinished Business:
Review/Approve RFP for LED Lighting Upgrade
Ms. Augustine referred to page 3 of the RFP and said she had reached out to Mr. Forristall for technical
assistance. Currently, the library has Phillips products. Mr. Forristall said light fixtures are complex and there
are several components to each one. He said it's important to have the Phillips information in the RFP and
anything not Phillips should be approved first. President Garcia made a motion to approve the RFP for LED
lighting upgrade as presented and Ms. Milschewski seconded. Roll call: Forristall-yes, Garcia-yes, Mix-yes,
Burd-yes, Schumacher-yes, Hedman-yes, Pesola-yes, Milschewski-yes, Gatz-yes. Carried 9-0.
New Business:
Discussion on Proposed Intergovernmental Agreement with Kendall County for Library Meeting
Room Usage Under County's Continuing Operations Plan
President Garcia received a request from a Kendall County judge regarding more meeting space and a proposed
IGA as part of a continuing operations plan/disaster plan. Though it would be extremely unlikely that a library
room would be needed, they would like to secure the Michelle Pfister Meeting Room as additional space for the
courthouse to use. Security and all other needs except wi-fi would be provided by the county. Some
questions/comments that were raised: how soon staff would be notified of the need for the room (since there
could be programs scheduled), terms of use, request for a presentation at a Library meeting, why was the library
chosen, parking might not be adequate, liability, term of IGA and termination, dispute resolution, amendments,
reimbursement/usage fees/costs, hours of operation. The questions/comments will be furnished to them prior to
a presentation. Ms. Augustine pointed out that an IGA could be considered strengthening local partnerships as
part of the Strategic Plan. President Garcia will forward all questions to the requesting judge and ask for a
presentation at a Library Board meeting.
Set Date for Director's Evaluation with Personnel Committee
The Personnel Committee decided to meet on June 9th at 6pm, just prior to the regular Board meeting.
Other:
Ms. Augustine said the Mayor will be re-appointing Ms. Milschewski, Mr. Forristall and Ms. Pesola to the
Library Board of Trustees. This will occur at the next City Council meeting.
Ms. Burd said she had handed out information about Senior Services holding a call to action on May 28th at the
Beecher Center. This is in regards to potential government funding cuts to their programs.
Executive Session: None
Adjournment:
There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 7:51pm on a motion by Ms. Garcia and second
by Ms. Milschewski. Unanimous voice vote approval.
Minutes respectfully submitted by
Marlys Young, Minute Taker