Library Board of Trustees

Rock Island Public Library Board Meeting Minutes Tuesday, July 15, 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. Call to Order: President 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: None Public Comment: None Approval of Minutes: Trustee Grandberry-Pugh moved to approve the minutes from the Board of Trustee meeting held on June 17, 2025. Trustee Noon seconded. However, Trustee Russell noted that a copy of the minutes had been omitted from the board packets. Facilities Director Cuneo was unaware and said that he’d made a clerical error. Approval of the June minutes will be moved to the August meeting. Board Education: Julie Villa, of architectural firm Cordogan Clark, detailed the Library’s ongoing Master Plan and the Master Planning process itself. She walked Board Members through the results of the engagement surveys, as well as how those results might be integrated into the Master Plan. Afterwards, Julie outlined two possible options for the Master Plan moving forward, Option A & Option B, their advantages, and any disadvantages. She also explained Cordgan’s exhaustive process for calculating space needs and project costs before giving cost estimates for both Options. Trustee Grandberry-Pugh asked if the advanced building code negotiations required by Option B would also be necessary for Option A. Julie responded that it was dependent on certain thresholds set by the City of Rock Island’s relevant authorities and whether their interpretation of the building code was strict or loose. Julie then continued with her presentation by highlighting plans to reconfigure and resurface the dilapidated South Lot into a mix of accessible park and a fenced plaza for Library events – the same under both Options. Trustee Noon commented that she liked the plaza idea and asked if the Library would have to provide parking spaces to the adjacent apartments [from whom the Library purchased the South Lot] last year. Director Campbell explained that the purchase agreement had only an impermanent arrangement that the apartment residents have access to 2 parking spaces and space for their dumpster, but that the Library had reserved the right to rescind those. Trustee Grandberry-Pugh then inquired about the seasonal restrictions of the proposed plaza space, citing her experiences with the MLK Center and their similar location. Director Campbell explained that the Master Plan was not yet at the stage where the specific decisions about awnings or roofs for the plaza space would be proposed or discussed: rather, the goal of the present meeting for the Board to set a direction for the more advanced plans by choosing one of the Options for Cordogan Clark to focus on. There were no further questions and no further discussion regarding the Master Plan. # Director Campell spoke briefly about the Illinois Opioid Antagonist Bill that’s currently before Governor Pritzker. She encouraged the Board members to familiarize themselves with the Bill in the event the Governor signs it, as it explicitly impacts Illinois libraries. Correspondence: Director Campbell informed the Board that the Library had received its annual Per Capita Aid award letter, included in the Board packet for review. She then gave special mention to the honor of the Library being thanked and recognized by the Anne Arundel Library, as it has won Library of the Year on multiple occasions. Director Campbell is very excited to work with them. The board also took a moment to recognize circulation staff member Ranesha Vallejo: a patron had sent a letter thanking Ranesha for her kindness and helpful service. Finance Committee Report: Board President Swanson motioned to approve the monthly bills for June, totaling $81,246.29. Trustee Nelson 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. She noted that while the Library was currently under-budget for the fiscal year, unforeseen staff costs might change that by year’s end. Specifically, there were several departures by longtime Library staff which included sizable severance. The Finance Committee is scheduled to meet in October. Art & Facilities Committee Report: Trustee Nelson had nothing to report but reminded the Board that the Art & Facilities Committee will be having a special meeting on July 31, 2025 at 4 p.m. Personnel & Policy Committee Report: Trustee Freiburg asked if there were any policies that need updating. Director Campbell mentioned that her staff is presently in the midst of doing their annual policy review. Planning & Community Relations Committee Report: Trustee Grandberry-Pugh asked for a time to meet with the Library to discuss communicating the Master Plan to the public. Director Campbell suggested August 12, 2025. Trustee Grandberry-Pugh accepted and asked that the meeting begin at 4 p.m. and be at the Watts-Midtown branch library. All accepted. Technology Ad-Hoc Committee Report: Trustee Hammond said that, again, his committee and the Board are still waiting on the City’s IT department to proceed with Library WiFi/firewall upgrades. Facilities Director Cuneo mentioned that he was doing what he could to coordinate a date and time for the new firewall to be installed, but that doing so was a marriage of the Library, City IT, and Geneseo Communications. He’s hoping we’re close to a resolution. Library Foundation Updates: Foundation Director Lelonek was absent, but she sent a report via email. Her report said that the Foundation’s Food for Thought event raised a total of $13,500; that the next book sale would take place July 25 and 26 at the Downtown Library; and that Trustee Emeritus Watts’s fundraiser will be Saturday, October 11th at The Iconic. Director Campbell noted that they’re looking to use Arts Alley, beside the venue, too. The next Foundation meeting will be August 14. Director’s Report & Statistics: Director Campbell was pleased to report that the Library had nearly met its Summer Reading goal with 13 days still remaining in the program. She also mentioned that e-card enrollment was up significantly over last year and that the Library was seeing great growth. Milan-Blackhawk Area Public Library District: The Milan-Blackhawk Board has decided to push for a full .15 increase in funding, which will trigger a Truth in Taxation hearing. Otherwise, their next regular meeting is scheduled for July 24, 2026 at 4 p.m. at the Southwest branch. Unfinished Business: None New Business: Trustee Freiburg made a motion to approve resolution of the partial release of closed session minutes. Trustee Quarles seconded. The motion passed: all ayes; no nays. Trustee Freiburg motioned to close the Downtown Library on Friday, August 29th @ 5 p.m., and all day Saturday, August 30, due to the Rock Island Grand Prix Cart Races. Trustee Noon seconded. The motion passed: all ayes; no nays. Trustee Russell motioned to approve moving forward with Option B of the Downtown Master Facilities Plan. Trustee Freiburg seconded. There was no further discussion. The motion passed: all ayes; no nays. Information Sharing: ●​ Board Contact Information & Terms ●​ Board Standing Committees ●​ Unique Management Reports Executive Session: Not needed Announcements: ●​ Next Board Meeting - August 19, 2025 at 5 p.m., Downtown Library With no further business, asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Trustee Johnson so motioned, and Trustee Grandberry-Pugh seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 6:04 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Daniel Cuneo Business & Facilities Director