Minutes Prepared By: Camayia Dantzler, Communications Specialist
Call to Order and Roll Call
President Bloom called the meeting to order at 6:33 pm. Secretary Yamamoto took roll.
Present: Colin Bird-Martinez, Kristina Rogers, Mika Yamamoto, Virginia Bloom
Absent: Annie Wilkinson, Megan Butman
Also attending: Elsworth Carman (Executive Director), Suzy Antell (Deputy Director), Billy Treece (Director of Finance & Human Resources), Ashley Boyer (Manager of Digital Engagement)
Public Commentators: none
Motion to allow the remote participation of trustee Susanne Fairfax to the regular board meeting.
Moved by Bird-Martinez, Seconded by Rogers. Approved by all present.
President Bloom made an adjustment to the meeting agenda item “Consent Agenda Recommendation (Governance Committee)” under New Business to table to the April regular board meeting.
Approval of Minutes
February 9, 2026 Special Board Meeting
Motion to approve the February 9, 2026 Special Board Meeting minutes.
Moved by Bird-Martinez. Seconded by Rogers. Approved by all present.
February 17, 2026 Finance Committee Meeting
Motion to approve the February 17, 2026 Finance Committee Meeting minutes.
Moved by Bird-Martinez. Seconded by Rogers. Approved by all present.
February 24, 2026 Regular Board Meeting
Motion to approve the February 24, 2026 Regular Board Meeting minutes.
Moved by Yamamoto. Seconded by Rogers. Approved by all present.
February 26, 2026 Governance Committee Meeting (Strategic Planning Session)
Motion to approve the February 26, 2026 Governance Committee Meeting (Strategic Planning Session) minutes.
Moved by Yamamoto. Seconded by Bloom. Approved by all present.
March 9, 2026 Governance Committee Meeting
Motion to approve the March 9, 2026 Governance Committee Meeting minutes.
Moved by Yamamoto. Seconded by Bloom. Approved by all present.
Public Comments
There was a public comment received in writing from Leona Schaffer about her remote participation in the live stream of the regular board meetings, noting that the change in the regular meetings to Wednesdays will prevent her from participating.
Trustee Comments and Calendar
Bloom reviewed the following upcoming events on the calendar: the April 7, 2026 Governance Committee Meeting, the April 17, 2026 LACONI Trustee Banquet, the April 22, 2026 Regular Library Board Meeting, and the June 7, 2026 Day in Our Village event.
Trustee Bird-Martinez noted that a Finance Committee meeting will be scheduled and added to the calendar, and that an Advocacy Committee meeting will also be scheduled.
New Business
Web Compliance Update
Ashley Boyer, Manager of Digital Engagement, presented to the Board on web compliance and digital accessibility. She highlighted updates to Title II, noting that government entities serving populations over 50,000 must comply by April 24, 2026. The presentation included an overview of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and addressed accessibility considerations for portable document format (PDF) files, including available remediation options. The cost of PDF remediation was discussed, with estimates ranging from $8 to $15 per page. Based on a 100-page monthly packet, the annual cost is projected to be between $10,000 and $18,000. The benefits of providing content directly on web pages in accordance with accessibility guidelines were also noted. Discussed was the video recordings to Youtube and the requirements for it to be accessible.
Consent Agenda Recommendation (Governance Committee)
The board agreed to table this agenda item to the April 2026 regular board meeting.
Exhibiting Art in the Library Policy Review
Motion to approve all proposed changes.
Moved by Yamamoto. Seconded by Bird-Martinez. Approved by all present.
Library Opening an Hour Early for Day in Our Village
Motion to approve an amendment to the library operating hours to open an hour early (from 12 pm to 11 am) for Day in Our Village on Sunday, June 7, 2026.
Moved by Fairfax. Seconded by Rogers. Approved by all present.
Committee Reports
Governance Committee
Yamamoto reported on the consent agenda and a potential modification to the agenda, including the proposed order of business as outlined in the memo. The Board discussed the Executive Director evaluation scheduled for February 2027, noting it will follow the same procedure. A follow-up to the strategic planning session was addressed, with plans to identify a time for a full Board meeting. The board bylaws will be discussed at the April regular meeting.
Advocacy Committee
Rogers presented a report on behalf of Trustee Annie Wilkinson, who was absent. Plans are underway to schedule meetings in April and May, with a focus on Chapters 1, 2, and 7 of Belonging Without Othering: How We Save Ourselves and the World by John A. Powell and Stephen Menendian. The group discussed inviting a speaker for the May meeting and is exploring how institutions are applying the framework.
Finance Committee
Did not meet.
Financial Reports
February 2026 Financial Reports
The board reviewed the February 2026 Financial Reports. Treece provided an update on the February financial reports, including a review of year-to-date expenses and revenue. It was noted that $750,000 in installment payments has been received, with sufficient cash on hand to support operations through June.
February 2026 Resolutions on Disbursements
Motion to approve the resolution on disbursements for February 2026.
Moved by Yamamoto. Seconded by Bloom. Approved by all present.
Executive Directors Report
The Executive Director’s Report highlighted administrative efforts to ensure the library remains in compliance with state and federal requirements, including the Illinois Public Library Annual Report (IPLAR), the 2026 Annual Library Certification, and the ADA Digital Accessibility Mandate.
Staff Reports
Strategic Priorities Report (February 2026)
Several events, programs, and initiatives were highlighted, including the Puzzle Swap, “Your Tax Bill Explained,” and a new partnership with the nonprofit organization Cara Collective. Additional updates included a webinar presentation on Canva Pro by Graphic Designer Gabriela Denton, upgrades to circulating technology, and building repairs and improvements at the Main Library.
Additions & Separations Report (February 2026)
There were no changes in the Additions and Separations Report for February 2026. Discussed were five staff members starting in the first week of April along with temporary summer positions.
Staff Changes Report (February 2026)
There were no changes in the Staff Changes Report for February 2026.
Additional Reports
Intergovernmental Committee (IGov)
Rogers reported that the final components of the webpage are ready to go live. Rogers also noted that moving board meetings to Wednesdays has been beneficial, as Tuesdays often conflict with multiple meetings and events with other governing bodies. Additionally, a community fridge project meeting was held, during which a presentation was given and financing was discussed.
Council of Governments (CoG)
Did not meet.
PlanIt Green
Did not meet.
Friends of the Oak Park Public Library
Did meet. Yamamoto reported on the voting for board members and reviewed annual goals, as well as discussed upcoming projects.
Out with Purpose
Did not meet.
Collaboration for Early Childhood
Did not meet.
Motion to adjourn to closed session to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1))
President Bloom motioned to adjourn to a closed session meeting to discuss the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of specific employees of the public body.
Moved by Rogers. Seconded by Bird-Martinez. Approved by all present.
Open Session: Proposed adjustment to the Executive Director’s compensation
President Bloom motioned to accept the proposed adjustment to the Executive Director’s compensation, as discussed in closed session.
Moved by Yamamoto. Seconded by Bird-Martinez. Approved by all present.
The board approved the recommended change of a 2.8% increase, to align with the staff average, retroactive to the first pay in January. Retroactive pay is expected on the next pay, March 31, 2026.
Adjournment
Bloom adjourned the meeting at 8:38 pm.