Pending library board approval at the November 18, 2026 regular meeting
Minutes Prepared By: Camayia Dantzler, Communications Specialist
Call to order and Roll Call
President Bloom called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Secretary Yamamoto took roll.
Present: Colin Bird-Martinez, Megan Butman, Kristina Rogers, Annie Wilkinson, Mika Yamamoto, Virginia Bloom
Absent: Susanne Fairfax
Also attending: Elsworth Carman (Executive Director), Leigh Tarullo (Deputy Director), Alexandra Skinner (Director of Public Services & Communications), Billy Treece (Director of Finance & Human Resources)
Public Comments
No public comments were received in person or in writing for this meeting.
Consent Agenda (Meeting Minutes, Routine Personnel Reports, Partner Reports, Financial Reports, Executive Director’s Report, Strategic Priorities Report, Library Core Use Statistics, Lost or Stolen Library Cards Policy, Staff Library Cards Policy & Eligibility for Full Member Benefits Policy)
Bloom motioned to approve all items in the consent agenda.
Moved by Yamamoto. Seconded by Bird-Martinez. Approved by all present.
2025 Draft Financial Audit Presentation
Tom Siwicki, Director at Sikich, presented the 2025 Draft Financial Audit Presentation for the Oak Park Public Library’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2025. He began by reviewing the two sets of standards applicable to the audit: generally accepted auditing standards and governmental reporting requirements.
Tom provided an overview of the Management’s Discussion and Analysis section of the report, which compares current-year financial information with the prior year and provides explanations and context to assist in understanding the Library’s financial position and activities. He also reviewed several key financial statements, including the Statement of Net Position, Statement of Activities, and Balance Sheet.
Additionally, Tom discussed the separate Auditors’ Communication to the Board of Trustees report, which includes a communication letter from the auditors to the Board, as well as any adjusting journal entries identified during the audit. He explained that the report also includes a management letter outlining any identified internal control deficiencies and recommendations for improvement, if applicable.
Tom noted that no new comments or findings were identified during the 2025 fiscal year. He also reported that the prior-year comment regarding the segregation of duties had been resolved as a result of changes within the Library’s finance team.
Unfinished Business
Oak Park Public Library DRAFT 3 – FY2027 Budget
Billy reviewed Draft 3 of the Budget and noted several changes from Draft 2A, which was presented at the September regular Board meeting. The changes, along with items that remain unchanged, are identified and highlighted in the accompanying memo. Billy noted that projected revenue remains unchanged, including a 4% increase in property tax revenue and an increase in the contribution from the Friends of the Oak Park Public Library to $50,000 for FY2027, double the $25,000 contribution received in FY2026. He also noted that the painting of the Dole Branch has been removed from the Building Improvements budget line and deferred to a future fiscal year.
Resolution Setting Forth Financial Requirements for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2027
Motion to approve the Resolution Setting Forth Financial Requirements for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2027, which includes the approval of the FY2027 Budget
Moved by Wilkinson. Seconded by Yamamoto. Approved by all present.
Bylaws of the Board of Trustees of the Oak Park Public Library
Bloom provided an update on the status of the Advocacy Committee and noted that, in accordance with the Bylaws, the establishment of any new committee should be brought before the Board for discussion and consideration.
The Board reviewed the Bylaws, including revisions incorporating the attorney’s recommended edits, prior to final approval.
Motion to approve the revised Bylaws of the Board of Trustees of the Oak Park Public Library.
Moved by Wilkinson. Seconded by Yamamoto. Approved by all present.
New Business
Project Planning
Board of Library Trustees Strategic Initiatives
The Board discussed the Strategic Initiatives, including the appropriate structure for oversight and governance and the individual or group responsible for leading the effort. Several options were considered, including assigning responsibility to the Advocacy Committee or establishing a separate committee specifically focused on advancing the Board’s strategic objectives. Bloom also proposed that the Vice President take the lead in overseeing the initiative.
Although this item was identified as an action item for the meeting, the Board elected to discuss the proposed options further and defer a decision until the next regularly scheduled Board meeting in November.
Wilkinson provided an overview of the Advocacy Committee, including its purpose, scope, membership, and structure. She clarified that the committee’s current purpose and responsibilities do not include matters related to the Board’s strategic plan and, therefore, may not be the appropriate avenue for this work. She expressed the perspective that advancing the strategic initiatives should be a Board-wide effort, with the full Board sharing responsibility and accountability.
The Board agreed to revisit this item at its November meeting and determine the appropriate leadership and oversight structure for the Strategic Initiatives to support the continued advancement of the Board’s strategic planning efforts.
Library Trustee Handbook
Secretary Yamamoto reported that she met with Alex Skinner, Director of Public Services & Communications, to discuss the development of a trustee handbook for the Oak Park Public Library Board of Trustees. As a resource and framework, they reviewed the 2016 Illinois Public Library Trustee Manual and discussed adapting its content to meet the needs of the Library Board.
They discussed the goals and proposed timeline for developing and implementing the handbook. A draft will be presented at the November Governance Committee meeting, followed by presentation to the full Board for discussion at the January Board meeting. The goal is to have the handbook adopted at the February Board meeting, in advance of the April election of new Board members.
They also discussed the possibility of establishing an ad hoc committee to develop board member training, using the trustee handbook as a guide.
Reports and Updates: Trustee Comments and Calendar
Bloom discussed the upcoming meetings on the calendar for November, including:
- Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 6 pm: Governance Committee Meeting
- Thursday, November 12, 2026, 6:30 pm: Finance Committee Meeting
- Thursday, November 12, 2026, 7:30 pm: Special Board Meeting
- Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 6:30 pm: Regular Library Board Meeting
Adjournment
Bloom adjourned the meeting at 7:22 pm.