Library Board of Trustees

Rock Island Public Library Board Meeting Minutes Tuesday, June 17, 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, Elizabeth Russell, 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, Jo Noon, Aleatha Quarles, and Eudell Watts III Public Comment: None Approval of Minutes: Trustee Nelson moved to approve the minutes from the Board of Trustee meeting held on May 20, 2025. Trustee Russell seconded. There was no discussion. The minutes were approved via roll call vote: all ayes; no nays. Board Education: None Correspondence: The board took a moment to recognize the correspondence of Mr. E. Gifford Stack, who wrote to Kathy Lelonek and the Library Foundation to apologize for a library fine outstanding since 1962. Mr. Stack calculated the 62-year fine at the previous late fee rate of $0.02/day and enclosed a check to the Library in the amount of $500. The board was universally appreciative and amused by the gesture. Finance Committee Report: Board President Swanson motioned to approve the monthly bills for May, totaling $37,405.82 (RC). Trustee Russell seconded. There was no further discussion. The bills were approved via roll call vote: all ayes; no nays. Director Campell offered updates on the ongoing 2025-26 budget process. Specific goals for the new budget include increasing P/T Library Aide weekly hours such that they will have access to IMRF Pension. The aim is to incentivize those aides to stay with the Library long-term. Additional hours would not, however, qualify said aides for insurance benefits, by design. The Library is including a budget measure to hire a social worker for the upcoming year, citing the growing and changing needs of the Rock Island community, the congruence with the LIbrary’s strategic plan, and the trend among libraries nationwide to contribute to such public service(s). Director Campbell noted that she’s unsure if the measure will pass city oversight. In addition, the Library administration team is keeping a close eye on federally-imposed tariffs and reviewing what costs the Library may incur as a result. The Library business office is also adjusting to the imminent Citywide changeover process between GEMS & Tyler for all financial processes [save payroll]. The Finance Committee is scheduled to meet in October. Personnel & Policy Committee Report: Trustee Freiburg was absent. There was no other discussion. Art & Facilities Committee Report: Trustee Nelson reminded attendees about the first of three art shows in the Watts-Midtown Auditorium, June 20 from 4-6 p.m. The shows are being curated by David Zahn and there’s excitement within the Library community that we’ll be able to showcase the versatility of the Watts-Midtown space while also contributing to local arts culture. Director Campbell offered a brief update on the 1st floor restroom renovation at the Downtown facility. Work is ongoing but hasn’t had an adverse impact on services. There will, however, be a slight delay as the contractor waits for tile to be delivered. She also noted that the bathroom project will have considerable budget overages, yet the surplus from the parking lot resurfacing would be more than enough to cover. Director Cuneo explained that Petersen plumbing found a number of code violations while preparing the Downtown site for the bathroom renovations, namely that previous plumbing work in the boiler room was done without proper permitting. Petersen Plumbing was able to correct the issue and their work in the boiler room will be completed within the next calendar week. He also updated the Board that while the LIbrary had requested the lot resurfacing be done in August – after summer programming and before the Rock Island Grand Prix – the City had contracted the work to Langman construction, who’d placed the Library in a queue. Director Cuneo learned this afternoon that the resurfacing would start next week, June 24, 2025. He quoted a 3-day duration, weather permitting, and explained the plan for parking. Director Campbell mentioned that Foundation Director Lelonek has some Foundation issues to raise with the Board regarding a sizable landscaping donation for the Watts-Midtown facility. Discussion will be held at the next board meeting. Finally, Director Campbell announced that the architect from Cordogan & Clark will be joining the next board meeting to discuss the 10,000 ft. overview of the Downtown Library master plan, and that attendees should anticipate the meeting running longer than usual. Trustee Nelson proposed convening the Art & Facilities Committee for a special meeting on the master plan, and attendees selected June 31, 2025 at 4 p.m. Planning & Community Relations Committee Report: Trustee Goldberry Pugh had no report but will discuss steps for community information and roll-out after the master plan has moved forward. Technology Ad-Hoc Committee Report: Trustee Hammond said that his committee and the Board are still waiting on the City’s IT department to proceed with Library WiFi/firewall upgrades. There was discussion about a new HR posting for the IT department and whether that would help or hinder the Library’s progress. Director Campbell said the hiring was an additional line rather than a replacement, so she felt the hiring could only help speed up the Library’s implementation process. Library Foundation Updates: Foundation Director Lelonek was proud to announce to the Board that the annual Food for Though event had ~115 attendees and grossed roughly $11,500 – a total near post-COVID numbers. She also mentioned that she will assist Eudell Watts III with his as-yet-undetermined fundraiser and will update the Board as plans are made. Director’s Report & Statistics: Director Campbell said that summer event season was in full swing, and that her staff had an ambitious suite of programming. The Library’s flagship Summer Reading program was bolstering Library attendance numbers and driving youth card sign-ups. She praised her librarians for being busy and generally amazing. Baggage sizers have been rolled-out at the Downtown Library. There have been no complaints thus far. Marketing Manager Lockheart prepared internal memos with talking points for staff and is monitoring public relations. Director Cuneo said that water leaks at the Southwest branch had been repaired by the maintenance team since the last board meeting, and that said repairs held through the heavy storms without incident. Milan-Blackhawk Area Public Library District: The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 26, 2026 at 4 p.m. at the Southwest branch. Unfinished Business: None New Business: Trustee Russell made a motion to approve Public Works coordinating the resurfacing of the east parking lot at $37,010.57, plus 10% contingency. Trustee Nelson seconded. Director Campbell noted that ~$100,000 had originally been allocated to the resurfacing project, which is why she wants to use the remaining funds to cover the overage on the restroom renovation. There was no further discussion. The motion passed via roll call vote: all ayes; no nays. Trustee Goldberry Pugh motioned to approve submitting CIP requests for the following Downtown Library items: asbestos study, window replacement, wallpaper removal/painting, wiring upgrades, flooring upgrades, and a new service desk. Director Campbell mentioned that only the asbestos study was a new CIP item from previous years, and that doing the study now was prudent to avoid costly surprises during future master plan work. Trustee Goldberry Pugh then asked if there was a contingency plan for if the asbestos study revealed asbestos contamination. Director Cuneo clarified that asbestos only posed a health risk if it was disturbed and particles were inhaled. He described the scope of the study – as explained to him by Graves Environmental, Inc. – and that there was no risk to the Downtown Library as a whole: The pre-inspection was able to use mid-stage progress of the bathroom renovation to see inside the walls of the first floor and had zero concerns. The inspector also noted that the boiler room, which would typically be a trouble spot, looked like it had already been mitigated for asbestos. Further inspection work would only require Graves Environmental to probe walls or floors that would be included in master plan updates, and, based on current knowledge, those would only require exactly two 1” bore holes, which could be easily mitigated without shutting down library access. Director Cuneo thanked Trustee Goldberry for her question and assured the Board that the Library would take all measures to protect staff and patrons should asbestos be discovered. There was no further discussion. The motion passed via roll call vote: all ayes; no nays. Information Sharing: ●​ The following information items were included in the board packet: ●​ Correspondence of Mr. E. Gifford Stack ●​ List of Library Bills for May 2025 ●​ Library Director’s Report, 06/17/2025 ●​ Updated Library Engagement Statistics, CY2025 ●​ Board Contact Information & Terms ●​ Board Standing Committees ●​ Updated Monthly Library Recovery Statistics Executive Session: Not needed Announcements: ●​ Next Board Meeting - July 15, 2025 at 5 p.m., Downtown Library With no further business, President Swanson adjourned the meeting at 5:43 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Daniel Cuneo Business & Facilities Director