Pending Library Board approval at the May 27, 2026, meeting.
Minutes Prepared By: Camayia Dantzler, Communications Specialist
Call to Order and Roll Call
Bloom called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Secretary Yamamoto took roll.
Present: Colin Bird-Martinez, Susanne Fairfax, Mika Yamamoto, Virginia Bloom
Absent: Megan Butman, Kristina Rogers, Annie Wilkinson,
Also attending: Elsworth Carman (Executive Director), Suzy Antell (Deputy Director), Billy Treece (Director of Finance & Human Resources), Leigh Tarullo (Director of Collections & Technology), Alexandra Skinner (Director of Communications), Ashley Boyer (Manager of Digital Engagement), Barbara Fitzgerald (Manager of Collections Services), Kathleen Spale (Manager & Curator of Special Collections)
A quorum was established at this meeting.
President Bloom noted a revision to the meeting agenda, clarifying that Item 6E: Bylaws of the Board of Trustees of the Oak Park Public Library Review, should be listed as a discussion item rather than an action item.
Motion to adjust the meeting agenda item 6E from an ‘action’ item to ‘discussion.’
Moved by Fairfax. Seconded by Yamamoto. Approved by all present.
Approval of Minutes
March 25, 2026 Regular Meeting
Motion to approve the March 25, 2026 Regular Meeting minutes.
Moved by Yamamoto. Seconded by Bird-Martinez. Approved by all present.
April 7, 2026 Governance Committee Meeting
Motion to approve the April 7, 2026 Governance Committee Meeting minutes.
Moved by Rogers. Seconded by Bloom. Approved by all present.
Public Comments
There were no public comments received in person or in writing for this meeting.
Trustee Comments and Calendar
The Board discussed upcoming calendar items, including communications training for the Board President and Vice President. President Bloom also discussed holding open office hours on the same day as the communications training for staff to meet with her. Additional calendar items included upcoming committee meetings, the regular May Board meeting, Day in Our Village, and the Friends Book Fair.
Unfinished Business
Web Compliance Update
Ashley Boyer and Alexandra Skinner provided an update on web compliance, noting that the compliance deadline has been extended to April 26, 2027. The extension provides additional time to test and refine the Library’s digital accessibility processes. Ashley also shared information from the website vendor regarding Zoom videos and video recordings, noting that live Zoom video captions are compliant and that for posting videos to YouTube, captions are required but transcripts are recommended, but not required.
New Business
Staff Presentation: Collection Services Department
Barbara Fitzgerald and Kathleen Spale gave a presentation on the Library’s collections. Barbara discussed the mission of Collection Services and the importance of developing inclusive and diverse collections. She also provided an overview of the three teams within the Collection Services Department: Collections, Bibliographic Services, and Materials Handling. Kathleen presented on the Library’s special collections, highlighting the various ways patrons can access materials. She also discussed the Library’s permanent art collection and the art gallery, which hosts monthly exhibits.
Consent Agenda Recommendation (Governance Committee)
Yamamoto discussed the recommendation, proposed from the Governance Committee, to implement a consent agenda, which would allow routine, procedural, and non-controversial items to be grouped into a single motion for approval. The Board also discussed how a consent agenda process could function at future Board meetings if adopted.
Motion to accept the Consent Agenda Recommendation from the Governance Committee.
Moved by Yamamoto. Seconded by Bird-Martinez. Approved by all present.
Leaves of Absence Policy Review
Motion to approve the proposed changes in the Leaves of Absence Policy.
Moved by Fairfax. Seconded by Bloom. Approved by all present.
Appointment of the Board Nominating Committee
Bloom announced the trustees selected to be on the Board Nominating Committee: Trustee Fairfax, Trustee Butman, and Trustee Wilkinson. Trustee Fairfax will coordinate a meeting to be held prior to the May regular Board meeting.
Bylaws of the Board of Trustees of the Oak Park Public Library Review
This agenda item has been changed from ‘action’ to ‘discussion.
Bloom discussed the Bylaws of the Board of Trustees where she noted in the bylaws changing the agenda items from being a numbered list to being an overall list. This will be voted as an action item at the May regular board meeting.
Committee Reports
Governance Committee
Yamamoto reported on the most recent Governance Committee meeting, during which the committee discussed the consent agenda recommendation, reviewed the leaves of absence policy and bylaws, and prepared for the board goals session and board officer selection process.
Advocacy Committee
Fairfax presented the Advocacy Committee report on behalf of Wilkinson, who was absent from the meeting. The report included discussion of the next committee meeting, scheduled for Friday, May 8 at 1:00 pm,, which will feature a presentation on the Belonging Without Othering framework, followed by a facilitated discussion on how libraries have incorporated the framework. The committee also discussed the various resource tiers associated with the framework and noted the importance of reviewing Chapter 5.
Finance Committee
Bird-Martinez reported that sufficient revenue is available to support operations through November of this year. Discussion included payment of insurance expenses, as well as costs associated with paper and printer toner cartridges. Bird-Martinez also noted that the first draft of the 2027 budget will be discussed at the August meeting.
Financial Reports
March 2026 Financial Reports
The board reviewed the March 2026 Financial Reports.
March 2026 Resolutions on Disbursements
Motion to approve the Resolution on Disbursements for March 2026.
Moved by Yamamoto. Seconded by Bird-Martinez.
Executive Directors Report
Carman provided a report on the strategic facilities plan and presented information regarding the community survey related to the facilities plan.
Staff Reports
Strategic Priorities Report
Carman discussed several highlights included in the report, including civic learning opportunities offered during the month of March, such as the virtual program “Project 2025 and Our Democracy,” presented in partnership with the League of Women Voters, and shared digital engagement statistics related to the Voting & Elections webpage. Carman also highlighted literacy discussions with older adult patrons and introduced a new framework developed by the Well-Being Committee to support staff success and well-being.
Library Core Use Statistics
The Board reviewed the library’s core use statistics and noted changes in the use of online resources and digital materials.
Additions & Separations Report
There were no additions and separations reported for March 2026.
Staff Changes Report
The Board reviewed the staff changes report, which included one staff promotion.
Additional Reports
Intergovernmental Committee (IGov)
The board reported on the new date for the annual Oak Park Township meeting, the civic engagement festival, and the launch of the IGov page on the library website.
Council of Governments (CoG)
Bloom reported on discussions regarding how individual governing bodies can support one another and the importance of understanding the limitations and responsibilities of each board. Discussion also included establishing office hours involving other governing bodies, with details regarding location and scheduling to be determined. Additional topics included communication and promotion strategies, as well as improving access to information and resources.
PlanIt Green
Carman reported on the Seven Generations Ahead initiative to send youth delegates to the Annual United Nations Climate Change Conference in Turkey in November. Prior to the conference, a Youth Climate Justice Summit will be held, bringing together students from Oak Park River Forest, Fenwick, and Trinity schools to develop and present a youth climate statement.
Friends of the Oak Park Public Library
Did not meet.
Out with Purpose
Did not meet.
Collaboration for Early Childhood
Did not meet.
Adjournment
Bloom adjourned the meeting at 8:22 pm.