May 27, 2026: Board of Library Trustees Regular Meeting Materials

834 Lake St., Oak Park, IL 60301 | Second Floor Scoville Room
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 – 6:30 pm
Meeting to be held in person and via Zoom

Agenda

1. Call to Order and Roll Call (6:30 pm)

Call to order
Roll call

2. Approval of Minutes (Action, 6:35 pm)

3. Public Comments

Please read the Public Comment at Board Meetings Policy.
Public comments may be provided in one of the following ways:

In person at a board meeting;
As an email to Executive Director Elsworth Carman at (elsworthc@oppl.org); or to Library Board President Virginia Bloom at (trusteevirginiab@oppl.org) sent by 4:30 pm on the date of the meeting;
As a submission through this Public Comment Form by 4:30 pm on the date of the meeting.

4. Trustee Comments and Calendar (Discussion, 6:45 pm)

Saturday, May 30, 2026, 11 am–2 pm: Kapwa!: A Celebration of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage, Village Hall
Monday, June 1, 2026, 5 pm: Governance Committee Meeting
Sunday, June 7, 2026, 11 am–4 pm: Day in Our Village, Scoville Park
Friday, July 10–Sunday, July 12, 2026: Friends of the Oak Park Public Library Book Fair, Main Library

5. Report of the Board Nominating Committee (Susanne Fairfax, Committee Chair)

6. Review the Roles of Officers (Discussion, 6:50 pm)

7. Election of Board Officers (Action, 7:00 pm)

President
Vice President
Secretary
Finance Officer

8. New Business (7:10 pm)

Youth Engagement Program Township Presentation (Discussion)
Children’s Summer Reading Program Staff Presentation (Discussion)
Policy Review Procedure Review (Action)
Board Liaison Appointments (Discussion)
Committee Chair Appointments (Discussion)
Township of Oak Park Youth Engagement IGA (Action)

9. Unfinished Business (7:35 pm)

Consent Agenda Recommendation (Governance Committee) (Action)
Bylaws of the Board of Trustees of the Oak Park Public Library (Action)

10. Committee Reports (Discussion, 7:45 pm)

Governance Committee
Advocacy Committee
Finance Committee

14. Additional Reports (Discussion, 8:30 pm)

Intergovernmental Committee (IGov)
Council of Governments (CoG)
Friends of the Oak Park Public Library
PlanIt Green
Out with Purpose
Collaboration for Early Childhood

15. Adjournment

New Business

Policy Review Procedure Review

Type of Review

Routine review

Date of Last Review

March 21, 2007

Context

The current policy recognizes the importance of maintaining an up-to-date governance framework, whether responding to specific catalysts or conducting routine evaluations. To achieve this, it delegates the establishment of all policy review procedures to the Executive Director.

Review Committee

Suzy Antell, Deputy Director; Billy Treece, Director of Finance and Human Resources; Alex Skinner, Director of Communications; Leigh Tarullo, Director of Collection and Information Technology; Elsworth Carman, Executive Director; Megan Butman, Governance Committee; Mika Yamamoto, Governance Committee, and Virginia Bloom, Board President

Committee Recommendations

Outlines proposed changes to the policy and the reasoning behind them.

Recommendation	Explanation
Change policy title to Policy Review Policy.	Provides a more accurate description of the document
Clarify language about why policies are created and revised.	Presenting the two primary reasons for policy review as equal points balances the information hierarchy, precise wording enhances clarity, and a proactive tone situates the policy to feel forward-facing, not reactive.
Expand the description of how the Executive Director and Board work together on policy review.	The updated language establishes a collaborative workflow between administration and governance. It empowers the Executive Director to manage the internal review process and schedule, while reserving final oversight and approval for the Board.

Recommended Action

Review and adopt the revised policy.

Markup Version: Policy Review Procedure Policy

Library Board approved March 21, 2007. Revised May 27, 2026.

Library Policy is normally created, revised, or reconsidered in response to changing conditions, new programs, public issues, or new legal requirements. Such policy issues come to the Board of Library Trustees for consideration as a result of staff, Trustee, or public initiative.

However, policies can become dated even without events that would raise the need to revise or reconsider them. Given the importance of maintaining a body of policy that is current, it is beneficial to have a process to systematically identify policies that are in need of substantive revision or reconsideration.

Library policy is generally created, revised, or reconsidered for two primary reasons:

Routine Review: To ensure the library’s governance framework remains current and effective, it is beneficial for all policies to be systematically evaluated. This prevents policies from becoming dated, even in the absence of a specific catalyst for change.
Responsive Action: Policies may also be updated outside of the routine schedule in response to changing conditions, new programs, public issues, or new legal requirements. Such policy issues come to the Board of Library Trustees for consideration as a result of staff, Trustee, or public initiative.

~~The Board of Trustees delegates to the Executive Director the establishment of policy review procedures.~~

The Board of Library Trustees delegates the establishment and management of all policy review procedures to the Executive Director. The Executive Director is responsible for setting the review schedule and leading the internal evaluation process before bringing policies to the Board for final consideration.

Clean Version: Policy Review Policy

Library Board approved March 21, 2007. Revised May 27, 2026.

Library policy is generally created, revised, or reconsidered for two primary reasons:

Routine Review: To ensure the library’s governance framework remains current and effective, it is beneficial for all policies to be systematically evaluated. This prevents policies from becoming dated, even in the absence of a specific catalyst for change.
Responsive Action: Policies may also be updated outside of the routine schedule in response to changing conditions, new programs, public issues, or new legal requirements. Such policy issues come to the Board of Library Trustees for consideration as a result of staff, Trustee, or public initiative.

Current Version: Policy Review Procedure

RETURN TO AGENDA

Township of Oak Park Youth Engagement IGA

AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR THE YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM, 2026 – 2028

This agreement is between OAK PARK TOWNSHIP and the enumerated participating local governments: River Forest Township, School District 90, School District 97, School District 200, River Forest Park District, Oak Park Public Library, River Forest Public Library, Village of Oak Park, and Village of River Forest; hereinafter referred to collectively as PARTICIPATING GOVERNMENT UNITS.

OAK PARK TOWNSHIP agrees as follows:

To work with any youth (kindergarten-senior year) who are residents of Oak Park and River Forest or attend Oak Park or River Forest community schools. The engagement specialists will provide individual mental health counseling to youth who need assistance in the following areas: depression/anxiety, crisis and trauma, and behavioral/aggression problems as well as with youth who need individual mentoring.
To closely monitor youth, through individual counseling which focuses on the individual strengths and needs of clients and their families and helps in providing individual counseling, linking to services as needed, managing those services, and tracking outcomes.
To respect and maintain the confidentiality of registered Youth Engagement clients and their families and share information about clients with partner agency staff as appropriate and only when a Release of Information has been signed by the appropriate party.
To report program outcomes, such as reasons for discharge, demographics, referral reasons, and assessment information, in the aggregate only. Data can be broken down by school district attending or community of residence.
To continue to provide intense engagement by at least two Youth Engagement Specialists for the positions as described in Appendix I and one Youth Engagement Program Manager.
To act as the administrative agent of the Youth Engagement Program, hiring, training, supervising, including clinical licensing hours, insuring and providing office space to the Youth Engagement Program staff.
To provide the necessary support, services, materials and equipment.
To distribute monthly reports via email on the activities of Youth Engagement staff to all board members and the chief administrators of each participating government unit.
To work with participating government units to establish additional meaningful outcome measures based on shared client data.
To report on program activities and outcomes at least annually, or more often as needed or requested, at the Council of Governments meetings in Oak Park and in River Forest.
To offer services listed in Appendix II: Menu of Services to partner agencies and to work responsively with partner agencies to develop other specific services based on emerging needs.
To maintain an appropriate level of liability insurance and provide certificates of insurance to partner agencies as requested.
To bill each participating government unit on a quarterly basis at the quarter amount listed in this IGA.
To establish protocols with partner agencies to share confidential information that will allow the Township to report on program outcomes for the Youth Engagement caseload in the aggregate.

The other participating government units agree as follows:

To support the Youth Engagement Program through referrals, offering space to meet with youth and families, sharing information about youth behaviors and situations, participating in training events and planning meetings, and by providing outcome data.
To bring policy and operational concerns and recommendations to the Youth and Family Services Director or Oak Park Township Manager.
To work collaboratively and cooperatively in the common interest of helping youth develop, learn problem solving skills and to become engaged positively in the community.
To enter into data sharing agreements, where appropriate, so that the Township may collect and analyze data in the aggregate for youth that are participating in the Youth Engagement program.
To support the cost of this joint endeavor in an amount listed to be billed Quarterly in four equal amounts. The total budget for the Youth Engagement Program for the first year of this agreement is $419,770. Please see Table of Agency Amounts and Quarter Payments on the next page.

Agency	2026-27 Amount	Qtr. Payment	2027-28 Amount
OP Elementary D97	$36,637	$9,909.25	$40,826.11
OP Public Library	$15,793	$3,948.25	$16,266.79
OPRF High School D200	$41,303	$10,325.75	$42,542.09
Village of Oak Park	$15,793	$3,948.25	$16,266.79
River Forest Township	$25,00	$6,250.00	$25,750.00
RF Elementary D90	$10,326	$2,581.50	$10,635.78
RF Park District	$5,468	$1,367.00	$5,632.04
RF Public Library	$5,468	$1,367.00	$5,632.04
Village of River Forest	–	–	–
Subtotal:	$158,788	–	–
Oak Park Township	$260,982	–	–
Total:	$419,770	–	–

To promptly reimburse Oak Park Township upon receipt of a quarterly bill in the amount shown in the table above.

It is understood by all signatories of this agreement that the supervision of all Township employees, including any addition to the Township staff as a result of this agreement, is the responsibility of Oak Park Township. To the extent permitted by law, each party shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the other parties, their elected officials, employees, officers, directors and agents from and against any third-party claims, demands, losses, damages, or expenses (including reasonable damage to tangible personal property arising out of or in connection with the performance of the services under this Agreement to the extent of the negligence, fault, or willful act or omission of the indemnifying party, its personnel or agents during the course of performance of the services hereunder or otherwise in connection with the performance of this Agreement.

This Intergovernmental Agreement will be in force for two years from July 1, 2026.

OAK PARK TOWNSHIP

_____________________ ________________________ __________________

Signature Title Date

RIVER FOREST TOWNSHIP

_____________________ ________________________ __________________

Signature Title Date

RIVER FOREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 90

_____________________ ________________________ __________________

Signature Title Date

OAK PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 97

_____________________ ________________________ __________________

Signature Title Date

OAK PARK-RIVER FOREST HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 200

_____________________ ________________________ __________________

Signature Title Date

RIVER FOREST PARK DISTRICT

_____________________ ________________________ __________________

Signature Title Date

OAK PARK PUBLIC LIBRARY

_____________________ ________________________ __________________

Signature Title Date

RIVER FOREST PUBLIC LIBRARY

_____________________ ________________________ __________________

Signature Title Date

VILLAGE OF OAK PARK

_____________________ ________________________ __________________

Signature Title Date

VILLAGE OF RIVER FOREST

_____________________ ________________________ __________________

Signature Title Date

APPENDIX

Job Descriptions and Menu of Services

CLASS. TITLE: Youth Engagement Specialist

FLSA: Non-Exempt

DEPARTMENT: Youth and Family Services

DATE: 09/2022

DIVISION: Town

REPORTS TO: Youth Engagement Manager

Job Summary: The Youth Engagement Specialist builds collaborations between systems and agencies to prevent, intervene, and combat negative youth behavior in Oak Park and River Forest Communities. The interventionist assists youth and families, and implement programming geared toward youth in the Oak Park and River Forest Communities. This is an ideal position for recent grads!

Job Functions:

Ability to show knowledge or ability to gain knowledge in the following areas: youth mental health, specifically anxiety and depression, substance abuse, trauma, aggression, and behavioral problems, gangs.
Carries a caseload of 20 individuals for counseling and interventions. Performs crisis intervention, making social diagnostic assessments, and assists in developing a comprehensive treatment plan for clients.
Run groups during school year that focus on current events, trends, and needs.
Collaborates closely with families, school personnel, mental health professionals, and other agencies associated with client. See clients in the office, their homes, school, and other areas outside of the office. Transport youth, if necessary.
Help provide wraparound services by encourage and referring youth, families, parents/guardians to other community services and activities.
Knowledge of the DSM 5.
Able to maintain and complete documentation related to job duties in a timely manner. Must have good time management skills.
Initiate and maintain in contact (via phone, email, or in person) with youth, parents/guardians, families, mentors, therapist, police, and other community agencies involved in youth’s case.
Maintain relationships and partnerships with current agencies and organizations that serve youth in the Oak Park and River Forest Communities.
In the summer, carry a small park caseload (around 7) to visit weekly looking for gang graffiti, drug paraphernalia, litter, and other suspicious acts to help keep parks safe.
Assists agencies in developing long term community based strategic plans to help with village wide prevention efforts regarding youth; including implementing goals/strategies.
Keeps Supervisor informed regarding community issues and sensitive topics.
Participate in weekly supervision with Interventionist Supervisor and participate in weekly Youth Services Team Meetings.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervision for LPCs and MSWs available.

Job Type: Full Time

Minimal Qualifications:

Master’s in counseling, psychology, social worker.
Working with youth and families (preferred).

Education:

Master’s (Required)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

Social Work, counseling, psychology
Criminal Justice and approaches used by law enforcement in local, state, and federal environments; juvenile law and court systems
Ethical standards and codes of conduct in dealing with clients and public
Crisis Intervention Techniques
Conflict Resolution

Skill In:

Time management and prioritizing work
Verbal and written communication and organization
Facilitation and group leadership
Mediation and collaboration building

Ability To:

Maintain relationships with community organizations and administrators
Facilitate presentations and trainings for youth, parents, community associations, and other public groups
Remain calm in stressful and crisis situations

Physical Abilities:

Sit, keyboard, read, write, add, hear and speak for extended periods.
Drive automobile to meet with clients in their homes or other locations, and meetings with other agencies, committees and councils, etc.
Lift up to 10 pounds on occasion.

APPENDIX

Job Descriptions and Menu of Services

CLASS. TITLE: Youth Engagement Program Manager

FLSA: Full Time

DEPARTMENT: Youth and Family Services

DATE: 09/2022

DIVISION: Town

REPORTS TO: Youth Services Director

Job Summary: The Youth Engagement Program Manager builds collaborations between systems and agencies to assist, engage and collaborate with you in Oak Park and River Forest Communities. The Supervisor assists youth and families in the areas of anxiety and depression, crisis and trauma, behavioral issues, school refusal/attendance issues, and gang involvement, supervises interventionists, and works with the Director to review, develop, and implement programming geared toward youth in the Oak Park and River Forest Communities.

Job Functions:

Supervises Youth Engagement Specialists, building a positive rapport with trust, team work, and communication.
Carries a small caseload of individuals and groups for direct counseling. Performs other duties of an Engagement Specialist: crisis intervention, making social diagnostic assessments of youth, and assists in developing a comprehensive treatment plan for clients.
Develops relationships and partnerships with new and current agencies and organizations that serve youth in the Oak Park and River Forest Communities. Facilitates partnerships and collaborations, assists in problem solving to maintain productive relationships between community administrative leaders.
Provides oral and written reports to various boards and the public when required, speaks before various to groups to explain the Youth Engagement Program philosophy, mission, values, goals, and accomplishments.
Assists agencies in developing long term community based strategic plans to help with village wide prevention efforts regarding youth; including implementing goals/strategies. Communicates with and between staff, administrations, boards, agencies, committees, and the public to continue community development efforts.
Establishes priorities among assignments. Establishes times of completion and quantity/quality of work services. Identifies, and discusses program projects, problems and issues. Supervises subordinate staff, monitors, and evaluates performance and recommends recognition/and or disciplinary action.
Monitors budgetary expenditures for training area of Youth Engagement Program and assists in developing narratives/justifications used in budgetary process as required.
Seeks outside funding to help support programs. Prepares and maintains grants related to sources of funding. Completes reports related to grants received and administers grant funded initiatives related to intervention program.
Works collaboratively with the Girls on the Rise Team, Prevention Team and Community Justice Team as indicated.
Keeps Director Informed regarding community issues and sensitive topics.
Keeps open communication with Director in regard to the Youth Engagement Program.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Masters Degree in Social Work, Social Services or a related field. 5-7 years of direct experience in working with youth issues including mental health, gangs, education, activities, and employment.

Licenses and Certifications: LCSW, LCPC or related license is preferred, not required. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

Knowledge of:

Social Work, counseling, psychology
Criminal Justice and approaches used by law enforcement in local, state, and federal environments; juvenile law and court systems
Ethical standards and codes of conduct in dealing with clients and public
Crisis Intervention Techniques
Conflict Resolution
Grant Writing and monitoring procedures

Skill In:

Time management and prioritizing work
Verbal and written communication and organization
Facilitation and group leadership
Mediation and collaboration building
Supervision of subordinates

Ability To:

Lead, organize, and maintain relationships with community organizations and administrators
Facilitate presentations and trainings for youth, parents, community associations, and other public groups.
Remain calm in stressful and crisis situations

Physical Abilities:

Sit, keyboard, read, write, add, hear and speak for extended periods
Drive automobile to meet with clients in their homes or other locations, and meetings with other agencies, committees and councils, etc.
Lift up to 10 pounds on occasion.

APPENDIX

Job Descriptions and Menu of Services

Youth Engagement Program – Services April 2024

The Township’s Youth Engagement Program staff are Masters Level Social Workers and Counselors, all with backgrounds in working with youth on a variety of issues. The Youth Engagement Program is constantly conducting needs assessments to address youth issues within the communities. Through the Youth Engagement Program, they provide the following services to individuals, families, agencies, and community organizations in Oak Park and River Forest.

TRAINING-in person, virtual and hybrid options

Any training as requested by a partner agency for staff or youth who they service, based on issues and needs they are seeing at their locations.
Other training programs tailored to different entities’ needs examples include, but are not limited to, Anti-Bullying, Restorative Justice and Practices, community issues (Youth De-Escalation).

CONSULTING

Consult with private therapists, agencies (public and private, profit and non-profit), parents, schools, law enforcement, courts, probation officers, the States Attorney’s office and city, state and federal agencies on issues of youth, including crisis and trauma, behavior and aggression, anxiety, depression and other mental health topics.
Community and neighborhood problem solving, education, and training.
Consult with partner agencies to help address staffing patterns, incident response, facility security, and safety procedures and protocols.

INFORMATION/INTELLINGENCE

Work with various bodies to “connect-the-dots” to identify patterns of behaviors and incidents regarding youth
Assist in identifying and locating individuals representing a threat to youth

DIRECT ENGAGEMENT-in person or via tele-health

Individual/family crisis intervention, as needed by youth on current caseload
Incident-related crisis intervention (for example; school violence, suicide, etc.)
On-site engagement at partner facilities in conjunction with partner staff
Group work with grade, middle and high school students after needs are identified with community partners
Engagement work specifically with youth who are experiencing trauma/crisis and mental health needs
Individual counseling with youth regarding issues with trauma/crisis, behavior/aggression, and anxiety and depression, or gang involvement as well as mentoring.
Casework-including referrals, family assessments, and connecting youth and families with partner agencies and organizations based on needs

RETURN TO AGENDA

Unfinished Business

MEMORANDUM

TO: Board of Trustees, Oak Park Public Library

FROM: Governance Committee

DATE: March 25, 2026

RE: Recommendation for Consent Agenda and Bylaw Alignment (Article VIII)

I. Executive Summary

The Governance Committee has reviewed the current Library Board meeting structure to identify opportunities for greater operational efficiency. The Committee recommends adopting a Consent Agenda and a corresponding amendment to Article VIII of the Bylaws. These updates are presented tonight for Board discussion and formal approval to ensure our governance practices remain streamlined and mission-focused.

II. Implementing a Consent Agenda

A Consent Agenda groups routine, procedural, and non-controversial items into a single motion for approval. This practice allows the Board to dedicate the majority of its time to substantive discussion and strategic oversight.

The “Rule of One” Procedural Safeguard To maintain total transparency and Trustee oversight, the Committee recommends the “Rule of One”:

Before the Consent Agenda is voted upon, the Board President will ask if any Trustee wishes to remove an item for separate consideration.
If one Trustee requests the removal of an item, it is immediately moved to the regular agenda for separate discussion and a separate vote.
No second or motion is required to remove an item from the Consent Agenda.

III. Scope of the Consent Agenda

To maintain consistency with the Required Reports Policy, the following items are recommended for inclusion in the monthly Consent Agenda:

Meeting Minutes
Library Core Use Statistics
Routine Personnel Reports
Non-Substantive Policy Review
External Partner Written Reports (IGov, CoG, PlanIt Green, Collaboration for Early Childhood, Friends of the OPPL, and Out with Purpose; Liaisons must submit these in writing prior to the board packet deadline)

IV. Proposed Order of Business (Article VIII Amendment)

To accommodate this structure while remaining aligned with current Bylaw requirements, the Committee proposes amending Article VIII to the following flow:

Roll Call
Consent Agenda (Minutes, Statistics, Personnel, and Partner Reports)
Trustee Comments and Board Calendar
Visitor Comments
Financial Reports
Unfinished Business
New Business
Executive Director’s Report
Adjournment

V. Recommendation

The Governance Committee moves that the Board of Trustees discuss and approve the proposed amendments to Article VIII of the Bylaws. This transition aligns the Oak Park Public Library with governance best practices and prioritizes the Board’s leadership role in serving our community.

RETURN TO AGENDA

Bylaws of the Board of Trustees of the Oak Park Public Library (Article VIII) Review

Type of Review

Review to amend Article VIII and adopt a Consent Agenda.

Date of Last Review

March 21, 2007

Context

As preparation for adopting a Consent Agenda, revisions to Article VIII of the Bylaws of the Board of Trustees of the Oak Park Public Library (Article VIII) must be made. Article VIII is the only part of the agenda being reviewed at this time.

Review Committee

Billy Treece, Director of Finance and Human Resources; Elsworth Carman, Executive Director; Megan Butman, Governance Committee; Mika Yamamoto, Governance Committee, and Virginia Bloom, Board President

Committee Recommendations

Outlines proposed changes to the policy and the reasoning behind them.

Recommendation	Explanation
Add an introductory text to Article VIII	Defines the Board President’s role in setting the meeting agenda and outlines the components of a typical Board meeting.
Replace the current Order of Business list with an updated list that includes a Consent Agenda	Allows the Board to adopt a consent agenda.
Articulate that any Trustee can pull an item from the Consent Agenda for separate discussion and action	Ensures an understanding that items can be removed from the Consent Agenda as needed (the Rule of One).
Add a statement that agenda items can be reordered or suspended by consensus or motion	Identifies ways the Board can adjust the agenda as needed.

Recommended Action

Review and adopt the revised policy.

Markup Version: Bylaws of the Board of Trustees of the Oak Park Public Library

Library Board approved March 16, 2010. Revised October 24, 2012. Revised April 22, 2014. Revised July 15, 2014. Revised February 27, 2018. Article VIII revised May 27, 2026.

ARTICLE I – DEFINITION

The name of this village body shall be Oak Park Public Library (hereinafter referred to as the “Library”).

ARTICLE II -PURPOSE

The Board of Trustees of the Oak Park Public Library is responsible for governance and overseeing the provision of library service to meet the needs of the Oak Park community. To this end, the Board shall:

Determine Library policies.
Employ a capable library administrator.
Secure adequate funds for library operations.
Approve expenditure of library funds.
Provide and maintain adequate facilities.
Insure a representative selection of library materials.
Promote use of the Library within the community.
Perform other duties as outlined in Illinois Compiled Statutes.

Trustees serve without compensation but may be compensated for expenses. In their position of public trust, Trustees shall avoid conflicts between private interests and official responsibilities. Prior to May 1st of each calendar year, all Trustees shall file a Statement of Economic Interest with the County Clerk, pursuant to the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

The Board of Trustees shall consist of seven (7) members elected by the voters of the Village of Oak Park. The term of each member shall be for four years from the Annual Meeting of the Board in May. Trustees are elected in odd-numbered years and the terms are staggered, with four expiring one year, and three in the next odd-‐-numbered year. Vacancies are filled according to the process laid out in 75 ILCS 5/4-4.

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS

The officers of the Board Trustees shall be a President, Vice-‐-President, Secretary, and Finance Officer, each to be elected at the annual meeting by a majority vote of the Trustees present. Each term of office shall be for one year, or until a successor has been elected and qualified. If a vacancy occurs in an Officer position, an election is held among the remaining Trustees.

ARTICLE V -DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS

President: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Trustees, appoint committees and committee chairs, act as ex officio member of all committees, and perform such other duties as are normally associated with the office or may be assigned to him or her by the Board.

Vice-President: The Vice-President shall, in the absence of the President, perform all duties of that office and shall have such other duties and responsibilities as the Board may determine.

Secretary: The Secretary shall have charge of such correspondence as is delegated by the President of the Board of Trustees. The Secretary shall be responsible for distribution, collection and tabulation of forms used in the annual Executive Director’s evaluation.

The Secretary shall preside in the absence of both the President and Vice-President. In the event that the President, Vice-President and Secretary are absent from a meeting, the members present shall elect a President pro tem from among themselves to conduct that meeting only.

The Village Treasurer of the Village of Oak Park shall be ex-officio Treasurer of the Board of Library Trustees and shall post bond as required by statute.

The Finance Officer is the board’s chief liaison with the Executive Director to develop the budget.

ARTICLE VI – COMMITTEES

Committees are advisory groups. They present non-binding recommendations to the Board which the Board then decides to accept, reject or modify. All committees are considered ad-hoc committees or committees-of-the-whole unless otherwise determined by a vote of the majority of the Board.

Ad hoc Committees

The Board of Trustees may from time to time appoint special committees for selected tasks and shall define the size, composition, purposes and duration of such special committees pursuant to a resolution of the Board. Ad hoc committees shall review matters within the scope of their assigned work shall advise the Board of Trustees and the Library Executive Director thereon. All ad hoc committees shall abide by the general committee procedures described previously and shall disband when they have completed the work for which they were appointed.

The Nominating Committee is an ad hoc committee and will consist of three Trustees appointed by the President at least 30 days in advance of the Annual Meeting each year. The Committee shall recommend a slate of officers to the Board.

The President may appoint members of the Board to act as liaison agents between the Library and other institutions in the community.

ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS

The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order (newly revised) shall govern the business of the Board in all matters not covered by the bylaws.

All meetings shall be posted and open to the public as required by the Open Meetings Act and the Illinois Compiled Statutes.

The President of the Board shall establish the agenda as required.

Four members of the seven-member Board shall constitute a quorum for conducting business. In the event of any unfilled vacancies on the Board, a quorum shall be a majority of the Trustees in office.

Regular monthly meetings of the Board shall be held in the Library at times to be established annually. This schedule of monthly meetings shall be posted in the Library buildings and on the Library’s web site.

Committee meetings shall be held in the Library as needed and an announcement shall be posted in all required locations no less than forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the meeting. Notice of all committee meetings will be sent to Board members. If a majority of the committee members are present, that shall constitute a quorum.

The May meeting each year shall be the Annual Meeting. The Board shall, at the Annual Meeting, elect Officers and conduct any other appropriate business.

A retreat will be held each year to discuss the library’s strategic priorities and objectives.

Special meetings may be called by the President, or upon the written request of two Trustees. Only such business as stated in the call may be transacted at a special meeting. Except in the case of a bona fide emergency, notice of call shall be sent to all Trustees and posted in all required locations no less than 48 hours prior to a special meeting. All special meetings will be posted and held as required by the Open Meetings Act.

An annual communication shall be sent to the local press informing them of the schedule of monthly meetings and that committee meetings are held as posted in the Library. The fullest participation and attendance in all Board meetings should be achieved whenever possible.

ARTICLE VIII – ~~ORDER OF BUSINESS~~ Meeting Agendas

The business of the Board shall be conducted in accordance with an agenda prepared by the Board President for each meeting. While the specific sequence of items may be determined by the Board President to ensure the efficient conduct of business, agendas for regular meetings shall generally include the following components:

The regular Order of Business of the monthly meeting shall be:
Roll call
Approval of Minutes
Trustee Comments and Board Calendar
Visitor Comments
Financial Report
Unfinished Business
New Business
Executive Director Report
Other Reports
Adjournment

Call to Order and Roll Call
Public Comment: A designated time for visitors to address the Board.
Consent Agenda: Items of a routine nature that may be approved in a single motion. Any Trustee may request that an item be pulled from the Consent Agenda for separate discussion and action (the Rule of One). The Consent Agenda will generally include Meeting Minutes, Core Use Statistics, Routine Personnel Reports, Partner Reports, Financial Reports, and the Executive Director’s Report.
Action Items: Including Unfinished and New Business requiring Board discussion and vote.
Reports and Updates: Trustee Comments and Calendar
Adjournment

The Board may, by consensus or motion, suspend or reorder the agenda during the meeting to accommodate special needs or prioritize urgent matters.

ARTICLE IX – THE LIBRARY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Board shall appoint an Executive Director, who will be responsible for the administration of the Library. The Executive Director shall report directly to the Board and shall be authorized to develop library programs, establish the organizational structure, purchase materials, and undertake such other activities as may be necessary for the library’s operation, subject to the policies established by the Board. The Executive Director shall make reports at the meetings of the Board in such form and on such subjects as the Board may direct.

The Board of Trustees will evaluate the performance of the Executive Director and determine compensation annually using an agreed upon process. All pertinent dates shall be set forth in the Board Calendar.

ARTICLE X – AMENDMENTS

Amendments to these bylaws may be proposed at any regular meeting of the Board and shall become effective when adopted by a majority vote of the Board at a subsequent meeting. The bylaws shall be reviewed annually as noted in the Board Calendar.

ARTICLE XI – INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUSTEES, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

If any claim or action not covered by insurance or ordinance of the Village of Oak Park is instituted against a Trustee of the Oak Park Public Library arising out of an act or omission by a Trustee acting in good faith for a purpose considered to be in the best interest of the Library; or if any claim or action not covered by insurance or ordinance is instituted against an officer or employee of the Library allegedly arising out of an act or omission occurring within the scope of his/her duties as such an officer or employee; the Oak Park Public Library shall, at the request of the Trustee, Officer or Employee:
A. Appear and defend against the claim or action; and
B. Pay or indemnify the Trustee for a judgment and court costs, based on such claim or action; and
C. Pay or indemnify the Trustee for a compromise or settlement of such claim or action, providing the settlement is approved by the Board of Trustees.

Decision as to whether the Library shall retain its own attorney or reimburse the Trustee, Officer or Employee expenses for their own legal counsel shall rest with the Board of Trustees and shall be determined by the nature of the claim or action.

For the purpose of this Article, the term Trustee, Officer or Employee shall include former Trustee, Officer or Employee of the Library. This Article shall not apply if the Board of Trustees finds that the claim or action is based on malicious, willful or criminal misconduct. In such case, indemnification will be determined after an investigation of the facts.

Clean Version: Bylaws of the Board of Trustees of the Oak Park Public Library

Library Board approved March 16, 2010. Revised October 24, 2012. Revised April 22, 2014. Revised July 15, 2014. Revised February 27, 2018. Article VIII revised May 27, 2026.

ARTICLE I – DEFINITION

The name of this village body shall be Oak Park Public Library (hereinafter referred to as the “Library”).

ARTICLE II –PURPOSE

Determine Library policies.
Employ a capable library administrator.
Secure adequate funds for library operations.
Approve expenditure of library funds.
Provide and maintain adequate facilities.
Insure a representative selection of library materials.
Promote use of the Library within the community.
Perform other duties as outlined in Illinois Compiled Statutes.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS

ARTICLE V -DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS

Vice-President: The Vice-President shall, in the absence of the President, perform all duties of that office and shall have such other duties and responsibilities as the Board may determine.

The Village Treasurer of the Village of Oak Park shall be ex-officio Treasurer of the Board of Library Trustees and shall post bond as required by statute.

The Finance Officer is the board’s chief liaison with the Executive Director to develop the budget.

ARTICLE VI – COMMITTEES

Ad hoc Committees

The President may appoint members of the Board to act as liaison agents between the Library and other institutions in the community.

ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS

The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order (newly revised) shall govern the business of the Board in all matters not covered by the bylaws.

All meetings shall be posted and open to the public as required by the Open Meetings Act and the Illinois Compiled Statutes.

The President of the Board shall establish the agenda as required.

Four members of the seven-member Board shall constitute a quorum for conducting business. In the event of any unfilled vacancies on the Board, a quorum shall be a majority of the Trustees in office.

The May meeting each year shall be the Annual Meeting. The Board shall, at the Annual Meeting, elect Officers and conduct any other appropriate business.

A retreat will be held each year to discuss the library’s strategic priorities and objectives.

ARTICLE VIII – Meeting Agendas

Call to Order and Roll Call
Public Comment: A designated time for visitors to address the Board.
Consent Agenda: Items of a routine nature that may be approved in a single motion. Any Trustee may request that an item be pulled from the Consent Agenda for separate discussion and action (the Rule of One). The Consent Agenda will generally include Meeting Minutes, Core Use Statistics, Routine Personnel Reports, Partner Reports, Financial Reports, and the Executive Director’s Report.
Action Items: Including Unfinished and New Business requiring Board discussion and vote.
Reports and Updates: Trustee Comments and Calendar
Adjournment

The Board may, by consensus or motion, suspend or reorder the agenda during the meeting to accommodate special needs or prioritize urgent matters.

ARTICLE IX – THE LIBRARY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ARTICLE X – AMENDMENTS

ARTICLE XI – INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUSTEES, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

Current Version: Bylaws of the Board of Trustees of the Oak Park Public Library

RETURN TO AGENDA

Committee Reports

Advocacy Committee

MEMORANDUM

TO: Oak Park Public Library Board of Library Trustees

FROM: Advocacy Committee (Trustees Wilkinson, Rogers, Fairfax)

DATE: May 21, 2026

RE: Incorporating the Belonging Without Othering Framework into the OPPL Strategic Plan

Purpose

This memo summarizes the Advocacy Committee’s May 8, 2026 discussion and presents a proposal for the Board’s consideration: to incorporate the Othering & Belonging Institute’s (OBI) “Belonging without Othering” framework into the OPPL Strategic Plan, beginning by adopting “Belonging without Othering” as the roof of the Strategic Plan and Logic Model.

Background

OPPL’s equity work has evolved over more than two decades, reflecting a deepening understanding of what it means to serve a diverse and changing community:

2002–2020: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI). Adopted formally by OPPL in 2003, DEI broadened representation and access, including significant milestones, such as one of the first transgender-focused public library collections in the country (2010). The DEI framework’s limitation is that it can stop at “equitable inclusion,” welcoming people into existing structures without asking whether those structures need to change.
2021–Present: Equity & Anti-Racism. Following the racial justice uprising in the summer of 2020, spurred by the murder of George Floyd, OPPL adopted Equity & Anti-Racism as a strategic pillar, naming structural racism explicitly and centering the library’s most marginalized residents. A year-long community committee centered on Black Oak Park residents was launched to co-learn and co-create how to incorporate anti-racism and equity in all our work. OPPL also created and hired a Director of Equity & Anti-Racism. This work continues and remains foundational to everything that follows.
Moving Forward: Belonging Without Othering. The Advocacy Committee proposes building upon, not replacing, the Equity & Anti-Racism work, by grounding it within OBI’s Belonging without Othering framework. The Equity & Anti-Racism pillar and all commitments that come with it remain fully intact. This is an expansion of our previous framework rather than a retreat from it. This framework will help us reach towards ensuring that we live up to our commitment of being a “library for everyone” in all aspects of our work, including through cultivating belonging for all the communities we serve while also supporting building bridges among them.

The Belonging Without Othering Framework

The Othering & Belonging Institute (OBI) is a research institute at UC Berkeley that brings together scholars, organizers, and policymakers to identify and eliminate barriers to an inclusive and just society. Its director, john a. powell, is an internationally recognized expert in civil rights and structural racism and the architect of the Belonging without Othering framework.

Othering is the process by which a person or group is denied their full humanity based on identity, and that denial becomes embedded in the structures of society. Critically, othering does not require individual bigotry to continue operating; once embedded in structures, it functions even after individual attitudes change. This is why equity work must go beyond changing hearts and minds to transforming structures.

Belonging, as defined by OBI, is both a feeling and a practice, something experienced personally and created collectively. It goes beyond inclusion (“you can come in”) to ask whether spaces are built with people in mind and whether they help shape those spaces. This framework asks us to hold diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism, while also holding the aspirational endeavor of nurturing belonging without othering. As john a. powell, creator of this framework, describes it in Nonprofit Quarterly: “Belonging is an aspiration that we are deeply connected to each other, which says that every human being counts, that every human being deserves dignity, to participate in cocreation of their life—bar none. Now that is belonging.”

OBI has developed 10 Belonging Design Principles, two of which are foundational:

The root of the problem is othering: the underlying mechanism common to racism, including anti-Blackness and anti-Arab racism, anti-trans discrimination, antisemitism, anti-Muslim sentiment, ableism, anti-immigrant sentiment, and all other forms of marginalization.
Everyone belongs: a radical and structural claim that belonging must be built for everyone, with no “in-groups” and “out-groups.”

Three key practice tools support the principles:

Bridging (building relationships across difference),
Targeted Universalism (universal goals with targeted strategies),
Narrative Strategy, and
Arts & Culture.

OBI provides all of these tools freely through OBI University (obiu.org) and belonging.berkeley.edu as well as a national community of practice to learn with and from.

Why this Framework, why now

“Can we create a world where there is belonging without othering? That’s never been in large measure attempted. And it is exactly what is needed right now.”

We are in a moment of accelerating and widening othering across every axis of identity. The framework of Equity & Anti-Racism was vital and built for a particular moment. The current moment invites us to re-envision our overarching framework:

Immigrant and Latine community members, as well as other Black and Brown immigrant communities across the country, have faced sustained and targeted federal enforcement. Members of our own community, including people in this institution, have been personally affected.
Trans people in the United States are facing an escalation of of targeted attacks, including documented genocide risk, as assessed by the Lemkin Institute in its third formal warning this year.
Rates of antisemitism, anti-Muslim sentiment, and anti-Palestinian racism are rising, including hate crimes. A Palestinian 6-year-old child was murdered not far from here in an identity-motivated act of violence.
Eugenicist rhetoric targeting people with disabilities and unhoused people has been used at the highest levels of federal government.
Democratic institutions, including the Voting Rights Act, are being weakened, institutions that have been central to cultivating civic belonging.

Each of these is a form of othering. They are not the only forms. What they share, the mechanism of othering itself, is more important than what separates them. The Belonging without Othering framework is designed to address all of them together, while providing space and structure for targeted interventions that help us meet our universal goals.

OPPL Is Already Building Belonging

A central finding of the Advocacy Committee’s work is that OPPL is already doing this. The framework gives us shared language, analytical tools, and a national community of practice to name and deepen what we are already building. Examples include:

Hidden Disabilities Support Group: A patron was quoted in the Chicago Tribune (April 2026) describing the group as something that “supports my development, my sense of belonging.”
Latine Heritage Month Pivot: When a Latine Heritage Month event was canceled for community safety during the Midway Blitz federal enforcement operation, staff pivoted to direct community action, sending the message: you belong here, and so do your allies.
Food at Teen Programs: Manager Latonia Jackson’s February 2026 Board report articulated the belonging case explicitly. Food removes barriers, signals dignity, and ensures all young people can participate fully. 1 in 4 Cook County children experience food insecurity.
Older Adult Services & Home Delivery: An 88-year-old Home Delivery patron recently called the library to say that the handmade Valentine she received with her delivery, made by participants in the all-ages Craft Corner program, had deeply moved her. She wasn’t just given books. She was given belonging.
Social Services & Public Safety: Staff ensure that unhoused patrons feel equally entitled to the library, because they are. This is belonging as institutional policy.
Homeowners & Tax Literacy: The “Your Tax Bill Explained” program (February 2026) with Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi empowered homeowners to advocate for themselves on property taxes. Belonging is for everyone, including those with more economic privilege.
Website Accessibility: Since 2024, Communications and Web teams have worked to make oppl.org fully compliant with ADA Title II and WCAG 2.1 requirements. The site health score rose from 80/100 in February 2025 to 95/100 in February 2026, led by Manager of Digital Engagement Ashley Boyer. Our digital front door is as open as our physical one.
Facilities Co-Creation, Civic Empowerment & Cultural Affirmation: The Woolpert Facilities Master Plan process, the year-long RAILS Civic Empowerment campaign, and cultural programming including Rapbrary’s Maintaining Wonder: Deangelo’s World all represent belonging as structural participation, democratic membership, and cultural affirmation.
Reimagining IDEA Box Policy: The Belonging without Othering framework is an ideal tool for supporting OPPL policy development to ensure that we partner with community organizations to bring compelling installations to our patrons and the public in ways that cultivate belonging for historically marginalized or unique social groups by celebrating the histories and contributions…. without othering other groups.

Targeted Universalism

One of OBI’s key practice tools, Targeted Universalism, establishes a universal goal and uses targeted strategies for different groups to reach it. OPPL has practiced this without calling it by that name. The 2021 community committee centered on Black residents embodied the principle: “if we figure out how to serve our most marginalized residents, we learn how to serve everyone.”

Advocacy Committee Proposal

The Advocacy Committee recommends the Board consider the following three steps, which were discussed at the May 8 meeting and are detailed in the accompanying committee notes. These steps are not necessarily sequential but iterative and interdependent. The plan for learning (Step 2 below) has already begun and is underway.

Action 1: Adopt “Belonging without Othering” in the Strategic Plan (Board)

Incorporate “Belonging without Othering” as the container of the OPPL Strategic Plan and Logic Model, grounding our equity work within OBI’s Belonging without Othering framework. Existing pillars, including the Equity & Anti-Racism pillar, remain unchanged. This is a meaningful signal to staff, community, and the broader library field that OPPL is naming its values and connecting them to a proven, well-resourced framework.

Action 2: Engage OBI’s Learning Infrastructure (Board, Leadership, Staff, Community)

Build shared understanding across the institution using OBI’s freely available resources, structured in three tiers by time available:

A Little Time (all staff: reach for this; leadership & board: this is the floor): Belonging Without Othering, Chapter 5 (“On Belonging”), most important; OBI University: Introduction to Belonging (33 min, obiu.org/course/key-frameworks); OBI Impact Story: How Libraries Can Serve as Places of Belonging; OBI Belonging Design Principles (belonging.berkeley.edu/belongingdesignprinciples).
A Lot of Time (leadership & board: this is the goal): All of the above, plus Belonging Without Othering, Chapters 1 and 2.
All the Time in the World (leadership & board: aspire): All of the above, plus Belonging Without Othering in full, and ALA Libraries Transforming Communities resources (ala.org/tools/librariestransform/ltc-models-for-change).

Additional proposed learning activities: a year-long book club series open to staff, Board, and community and/or a committee of staff, Board, and community to lead co-learning; a guest speaker from Board members with relevant expertise (if available); and some representation at the OBI Annual Conference (Louisville, KY, October 9–10, 2026) with a report-back to the Board and staff.

Action 3: Apply the Belonging without Othering Lens Across Our Work (Leadership, Staff)

Begin embedding two questions across program design, policy review, patron interactions, space planning, communications, and hiring:

How does this foster belonging?
How might this (inadvertently) contribute to othering?

Leadership and the Director of Equity & Anti-Racism

The Board recognizes and supports our incoming Director of Equity & Anti-Racism Shalonda Lane’s deep expertise and leadership in this area. She will play a central and leading role in shaping how this learning infrastructure is designed, sequenced, and facilitated at OPPL. Her expertise, professional judgment, and discretion are essential to this work, and the tiers and resources outlined here are a starting point to be developed and refined in her hands.

OPPL Advocacy Committee May 8 2026 Slide Deck (Google Slides)

RETURN TO AGENDA

Financial Report Summary As of April 2026 (33% of the year complete)

Prepared by Linda Barnett – March 8, 2026

OPERATING CASH

Byline Checking: $375,086
*Outstanding payments: $(109,591)
Byline Analysis: $465,859
Byline Public Fund MM: $594,787
Hinsdale – Wintrust MM: $220,101
Illinois Funds Invest: $7,463,171

Ending operating cash available: $9,009,413

Art Fund: $3,238

OVERALL SUMMARY

Oak Park Public Library is 33% into the fiscal year. The year-to-date (YTD) financial statement through April 2026 shows a surplus of $6,963,655, with $11,017,120 in Property Taxes revenue, mostly prior-year tax receipts paid in 2026. The first installment for the 2025 tax year (due in 2026) was delayed until April 1, and as of this report date, some payments have been received.

April YTD revenue totaled $11,170,238, or 89% of the 2026 budget. This amount is 56% over the YTD budget for this fiscal year. Again, the $11,017,120 in Property Tax revenue received is mostly prior-year tax receipts paid in 2026.

April YTD operating expenditures totaled $4,152,720, or 33% of the 2026 budget. This amount aligns with the YTD budget for the fiscal year.

REVENUE

As of April 2026, the library has recorded $11,017,120 in property tax revenue, or 92% of the budget, for the fiscal year. This figure represents mainly the second installment of tax receipts (due in 2025) and prior-year receipts. The first installment for tax year 2025 (due in 2026) was delayed by one month, from March 1 to April 1. According to the Cook County Treasurer, distributions have been completed for funds received through April 1, 2026. They are currently working on a collection adjustment before distributing the funds received in April 2026 and later. The library will monitor available cash and take appropriate action to ensure continued operations.

Corporate Property Tax is at 32% of the annual budget, which is 1% below the YTD budget. Illinois disburses these payments to local taxing bodies eight times per year, and the next scheduled payment will be in May 2026 in the amount of $43,055.

Parking lot revenue of $10,738, or 34%, of the YTD budget. The revenue helps pay partial costs for servicing and maintaining the parking garage and gates.

Interest Income at 25%, totaling $54,822. Because the library had not received its usual second installment of property tax distributions for more than 5 months in 2025 and early 2026, it had to draw on its cash reserve. Combined with the current lower interest rates, this drawdown reduced the cash balance and, in turn, the interest earned. Interest income is likely to remain below budget for FY2026.

Miscellaneous Income of $7,553 is contributed to by $3,711 received from E-Rate. This is a discount received from the Federal Communications Commission to assist with affordable telecommunications and internet access. In addition to the $1,375 Blackbaud (accounting software) rebate and a payout received from a class action lawsuit with Cintas.

TOTAL REVENUE YTD: $11,170,238

EXPENDITURES

Total disbursements: $1,103,916

The total People expenditure is at 33%, which aligns with the YTD budget. Workers’ Compensation Insurance payment for 2026 at 108% is due in January for the full year and is over budget due to an adjustment required after the annual carrier audit. Staff Development/Travel is at 44% of the budget due to the timing of staff conferences.

Support Services is expended at 47% of the YTD budget, which is 14% over budget. The over-expenditure is mainly due to various Administration Support Services costs: (1) Staff Appreciation/Engagement is at 56% of the YTD budget, which is due to the allocation of events and is not expected to exceed the annual budget; (2) Audit Fees are at 87% of the budget, which is due to work performed through April 2026 for the FY25 audit; (3) Consulting Services costs are overspent by 5% for this point of the year due to the use of municipal advisor for the Fund Balance policy; (4) Legal Fees is at 53% of the budget, which is is due to ongoing legal counseling for various situations; (5) Postage is at 40% of the budget, which is due to the spring bulk mailing; (6) Insurance (property, liability, auto, etc.), which is charged 100% in the first month of the year and is at 89% of the budget line; and (7) Supplies is at 34% of the YTD budget and is typically under budget at this point in the year. However, printing costs for toner and paper have escalated due to increased usage. The library implemented a plan to reduce printing costs going forward, ensuring it can continue to meet the community’s need for this service sustainably and within budget.

Public Services is 3% over budget due to: (1) the SWAN second-quarter services (April-June), which were charged to the third month of the year, are at 45% of the budget, and (2) Subscription and Services is at 42% due to the timing of subscription purchases.

April’s operating expenditures are at 33%, which aligns with the YTD budget.

Account line/group expenditure levels by percentage:

People:
Compensation: 33%
Talent Development: 36%
Total People: 33%

Support Services:
Marketing: 19%
Store: 17%
Collections: 17%
Administration: 54%
Other Support Services: 28%
Total Support Services: 47%

Equity And Anti-Racism:
Total Equity And Anti-Racism: 19%

Library Materials:
Total Library Materials: 31%

Facilities Management:
Facilities Supplies: 9%
Facilities Services: 28%
Total Facilities Management: 27%

Public Services:
Programming: 27%
Digital Services: 39%
Total Public Services: 36%

TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES: 33%

TOTAL CAPITAL AND OUTSIDE SUPPORT: 7%

April 2026 Financial Statements & Cash Disbursements (PDF)

RETURN TO AGENDA

Resolution on Disbursements, April 2026

RESOLVED THAT DISBURSEMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2026 IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $1,013,916 AS DETAILED IN THE CASH DISBURSEMENTS JOURNAL AND GENERAL LEDGER, AND SUMMARIZED WITH ADJUSTMENTS FOR CREDITS IN THE STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENSE FOR THAT MONTH BE RATIFIED, CONFIRMED, AND APPROVED.

RETURN TO AGENDA

Executive Director’s Report

Executive Director’s Report, May 2026 (web version, below | (PDF version)

Prepared by Elsworth Carman for the May 27, 2026 Board of Library Trustees Meeting

Reflecting on a Year of Impactful Work

The May 2026 Board meeting marks a significant milestone: one year of the current Board and me, as your Executive Director, working together. With four of our seven Board members having been sworn in at the May meeting last year—the same day I began my tenure—this anniversary feels especially meaningful. I have the privilege of serving the Board as a direct report, and this gives me a unique vantage point: I am part of this team’s work in many ways, but I am also an observer and a supporter. I know it can be hard to track accomplishments while you are in the thick of the day-to-day, so I wanted to take this opportunity to celebrate the complex, challenging, impactful work that you have done over the past twelve months.

Leadership & Governance Structure

Over the last year, the Board has successfully integrated four new Trustees and developed a new committee structure. By establishing the Governance, Finance, and Advocacy Committees, the Board created dedicated spaces for deep-dive discussions, guaranteeing that the components of Board responsibility receive intentional oversight and that decision-making at full Board meetings is conducted efficiently.

Collaborative ED Evaluation Process

The Governance Committee led the effort to adopt a new, more collaborative evaluation process for the Executive Director, which the full Board actively facilitated to strengthen our leadership partnership.

Financial Stewardship

The Board has maintained significant focus on the library’s fiscal health and long-term sustainability. This work has included:

Balanced Budget Approval— Successfully approved a balanced budget that reflects our community’s priorities and ensures responsible use of taxpayer funds.
Solutions-Focused Approach to Property Tax Disbursement Delay— Navigated a significant delay in property tax disbursement by closely monitoring available cash and identifying the most effective borrowing option, if needed (a loan through the Village of Oak Park).

Advocacy & Community Safety

Another highlight of this year’s work was the Board’s proactive commitment to making the library a safe, welcoming space for all. Working through the Advocacy Committee, the Board crafted and, in November 2025, formally approved A Resolution Regarding the Use of Library Property for Civil Immigration Enforcement Purposes, which specifically prohibits the use of the library parking garage as a staging area or operations base for civil immigration enforcement.

Belonging Without Othering Framework

Additionally, the Advocacy Committee led a shared learning experience on the “belonging without othering” framework as a meaningful way to make certain that all community members feel a true sense of belonging at the library. The full Board is currently exploring this framework.

Systematic Policy Review

A significant undertaking this year has been the systematic review of our library policies to confirm they remain reflective of the library’s values and current laws. We began the year with 77 policies to review. To date, we have successfully completed 16 of them, leaving 61 policies remaining in our cycle. Over the last year, the Board has reviewed and approved (or eliminated) the following:

Exterior Signs Policy
Duplicating, Displaying or Publishing Materials Owned by the Oak Park Public Library
Non-Sufficient Funds Check Policy
Surplus Property Policy
Collection Strategy Statement
Library Facilities–Staff Access, Use, and Restrictions
Confidentiality of Circulation Records
Volunteer Policy
Workplace Violence Policy
Scheduled Building Closings
Communications Policy
Library Board Member Goal Sheet
Library Board Member Job Description
Fund Balance Policy Revision
Exhibiting Art in the Library
Leaves of Absence Policy

As we look toward our second year together, the progress made in these first twelve months has established a strong and stable platform for everything to come. Thank you for your hard work and your dedication to the Oak Park Public Library.

RETURN TO AGENDA

Strategic Priorities Report (April 2026)

Library’s logic model
Strategic Priorities Report: April 2026 (web version, below | PDF version)

Engagement in April 2026

We focus on inclusive engagement and service to diverse community groups.
We lead the community in impactful civic engagement.
We attract and retain a library staff that reflects the diversity of our community.

Work Highlights

Teen using books to stack and create a tower.

A busy month for MHS Services (Public Services & Programs)

April was full of activity for the Middle & High School (MHS) Services Team, as they concluded school-year programming, celebrated graduates, and responded to school partnership requests. Throughout the month, the team facilitated more than 10 outreach activities and more than 20 library-led programs. National Library Week was especially successful, engaging over 100 youth in activities such as Book Golf, a Book Stacking Contest (pictured at right), and Library Trivia. Attendance continues to be strong across MHS programs, and the team has been especially pleased to see the confidence of our regular participants continue to grow. MHS staff noted that many youth who started with us in the fall of 2025 feeling shy and hesitant are now confident and engaged—a testament to the relationships that have been built among our youth participants, and between library staff and youth, over time.

A musical program for kids & families (Public Services & Programs)

Teacher reading a book to kids in a storytime room.

On April 1, Nissa Anderson, a local Suzuki teacher, hosted an engaging family program titled “Meet a Violin.” During the event, she read a picture book version of “Swan Lake” and periodically played musical motifs to illustrate the story, captivating both the children and adults in attendance. At the program’s conclusion, Nissa invited each child to take a turn playing a child-sized violin. This event took place during spring break, attracting several visiting grandparents, all of whom expressed their gratitude for the joyful and educational experience.

A Community Art Project (Public Services & Programs)

Artwork of colorful mandalas shaped into a bird on a red wall background.

On April 29, we hosted By Discovery for their annual Spring Community Workshop in the Main Library Community Space. This year, the team took inspiration from the art of British-Trinidadian artist Zak Ové and explored themes of identity, diaspora, history, ritual, and mythology. Students in the Oak Park & River Forest High School Leadership program created the foundation of the design with By Discovery teachers and installed the piece in the Community Space ahead of the workshop. During the workshop, families worked together to create mandalas and radial designs to complement and complete the installation and discussed the themes of the art and how it affects their lives. The result was a vibrant and colorful piece of art that will be enjoyed by our community until July 13.

Learning in April 2026

We build capacity for literacy and education.
We empower community members with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to reach their full potential.

Work Highlights

Staff member holding a children's picture book in front of information booth in a school gym.

An artist-led workshop in the Creative Studio (Public Services & Programs)

Artist Marea Cordero showing wooden pins displayed on a table to a patron.

Creative Technology staff Kay Slater, Jericho Savage, and John Gargiulo worked with Library Specialist Joel Javier to plan an opportunity for an artist presenting in the Main Library’s Art Gallery to lead a workshop in the Creative Studio Makery while their exhibit was up. On April 24, artist Marea Cordero led the workshop “Circle of Ancestors: Design A Pin With Glowforge Laser Cutter.” Drawing inspiration from Marea’s April-May art exhibit, attendees designed wearable pins using symbols that resounded with their personal stories and values.

Learning & networking at PLA 2026 (Public Services & Programs)

Eleven library staff members attended the 2026 Public Library Association (PLA) Conference, hosted April 1-3 in Minneapolis. This bi-annual conference offered many engaging sessions, including “Advancing Anti-Racism, Equity, and Justice through Programming Design,” “Black Men in Libraries: Our History, Our Heroes, and Our Horizon,” and “Creating a SPARK: Developing Library Programs for Justice-Impacted People.” Overall, staff in attendance reported a positive and useful experience. For some staff, it was their first time attending a library conference, and they found it to be both informative and interesting.

Manager of Patron Services Martyn Churchouse worked with three other Circulation Managers to present at the Crete Public Library District in April. The presentation, which focused on damaged and unusable materials, was developed collaboratively by members of the SWAN Circulation Working Group (of which Martyn is a member) and was based on input gathered from SWAN staff over four months in early 2026. Thirty staff members attended the presentation, and their feedback was very positive. Attendees especially enjoyed an interactive component, where they looked at damaged items and decided what to do next for each item.

Stewardship in April 2026

We invite everyone into library spaces that are welcoming, safe, and inspiring.
We provide broad, effective, and equitable access to resources.
We prioritize sustainability.
We support all library staff to achieve happiness, well-being, and success.

Work Highlights

Celebrating & caring for library staff (Finance & HR)

National Library Week (April 19–25) and National Library Workers Day (April 21) centered on the theme “Find Your Joy,” providing an opportunity to advance our stewardship priority of caring for library staff. Celebrations began on Monday with a popcorn bar at all library locations, followed by a catered lunch from Alpine Subs on Tuesday. The week continued with wellness and creativity through therapy dog visits, a sticker-design session in the Creative Studio Makery, and a restorative sound bath. As noted by Executive Director Elsworth Carman in his weekly message to staff, these initiatives highlight how staff joy serves as “fuel” for our strategic work in engagement, learning, stewardship, equity, and anti-racism. Responsibly caring for our staff through moments of gratitude ensures that the library remains a place of connection, belonging, and joy for the entire Oak Park community.

Maintaining library facilities (Facilities)

In April, a series of life safety inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) visits occurred at the Main Library and Maze Branch. Inspections were performed on our fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, and fire extinguishers. Regular ITM visits ensure that our systems are compliant and will function properly in an emergency, and help us identify performance issues for repair. This year, several pressure gauges were flagged for replacement, and deficiencies were noted on a dry valve and air makeup device. Repairs are scheduled for completion in late May.

Keeping IT resources up-to-date (Technology)

IT Assistant CC Crumlish recently initiated a project to thoroughly review and reorganize all of the IT Team’s internal knowledge base (KB) articles and documentation. The primary goal of this effort is to maintain a current and reliable repository for IT support to both staff and patrons. This involves updating existing guides to reflect our current environment, such as the Windows 11 operating system, and identifying and retiring duplicate or obsolete documents.

Updating our printing policy (Public Services & Programs)

Due to concerns about sustainability and rising printing costs, the library recently decided to reduce the number of free pages available to patrons for printing from 50 per day to 25. This change was communicated to staff in late March in preparation for its implementation in mid-April. During the first week of April, we emailed details about the new policy to cardholders and included it in the OP/FYI newsletter. Signs describing this change were also displayed at library service desks. When the change took effect on April 20, both staff and patrons felt well- prepared as a result of our early communication efforts. We appreciate the hard work from all staff members who contributed to ensuring a smooth transition.

Anti-racism & Equity in April 2026

We create and implement library policies that promote equitable outcomes for our staff and the public.
We prioritize relationship-building and meaningful collaboration in our efforts to advance anti-racism.

Work Highlights

Welcoming a new director (Anti-Racism & Equity)

On April 7, our new Director of Equity & Anti-Racism Shalonda Lane started in her role at Oak Park Public Library. Shalonda previously worked in higher education at the University of Illinois Chicago and Dominican University, and most recently worked in local government at the Village of Oak Park. Shalonda joins our Leadership Team and library with a passion for the Oak Park community, and both the library and Shalonda are excited about her important work here.

Celebrating autism acceptance (Public Services & Programs)

In recognition of Autism Acceptance Month in April, the Children’s Services Team hosted several programs, including two on April 12: Neurodivergent Nerdout brought together people of all ages, making it a fun event full of curiosity. Our screening of the first two episodes of A Kind of Spark was attended by many families, including autistic adults and kids. A representative from CAYR Connections provided a popcorn maker for attendees to use and enjoy. Kids were happy to have fidgets available during the screening without having to ask, and both kids and adults enjoyed the show, with many planning to finish watching the season that night.

Honoring the legacy of a local trailblazer (Collections)

Poster display of Percy Julian on easels in the lobby.

Since 2022, the Special Collections Team has curated an annual poster exhibit each April to honor the birthday and legacy of Dr. Percy Julian, a pioneering Black chemist and former Oak Park resident. The 2026 exhibit is displayed at the Maze and Dole Branches, as well as all three floors of the Main Library. Notably, this year’s exhibit includes a poignant new addition honoring his late daughter, Faith Julian. Following her recent passing, Special Collections created a tribute poster highlighting her life and legacy. This “In Memoriam” piece is featured in the lobby alongside materials celebrating her father.

Salt Lake City Public Library’s Director of Social Services & Safety, Nicole Campolucci, visited Director of Social Services & Public Safety Rob Simmons and our Public Safety Team in April. Having served in her role since 2025, Nicole spent two days learning about how Rob and his team strategically integrate a social services and public safety model into a public library system. Rob highlighted the importance of building community partnerships that provide social services, public health services, and public safety support. Both Rob and Nicole are members of the Urban Libraries Council (ULC) Social Workers group.

Community Voice

An April 10 Chicago Tribune article highlighted the library’s recent Hidden Disability Healing Circle.

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Additions & Separations Report (April 2026)

Additions

Name	Employment Status	Department	Job Title	Hire Date
Lane, Shalonda	Full-Time	Leadership Team	Director of Equity & Anti-Racism	04/07/2026
Davies, Maddie	Part-Time, 20 or more hrs/wk	Patron Services	Library Assistant	04/09/2026
Jones, Kamilah	Part-Time, 20 or more hrs/wk	Adult Services	Library Assistant	04/09/2026
Grable, Paige	Part-Time, 20 or more hrs/wk	Collections Services	Library Clerk	04/09/2026
Parker, Brigid	Part-Time, 20 or more hrs/wk	Collections Services	Library Clerk	04/09/2026

Separations

Name	Employment Status	Department	Job Title	Hire Date	End Date
Telli, John	Part-Time, 20 or more hrs/wk	Collections Services	Library Clerk	03/20/2017	04/08/2026
Montalbano, Linda	Full-Time	Special Collections	Archivist	03/11/2020	4/21/2026

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Staff Changes Report (April 2026)

Changes

No staff changes in April 2026.

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BOOKS, MOVIES & MORE

MORE COLLECTIONS

FIND

LEARN

RESEARCH

YOUR ACCOUNT

FOR ALL AGES

JUST FOR

IN THE LIBRARY

BEYOND THE LIBRARY

WHAT'S HAPPENING

YOUR VISIT

VALUES & PRIORITIES

OUR STORY

WORKING HERE

GOVERNANCE

GET INVOLVED

Agenda

1. Call to Order and Roll Call (6:30 pm)

2. Approval of Minutes (Action, 6:35 pm)

3. Public Comments

4. Trustee Comments and Calendar (Discussion, 6:45 pm)

5. Report of the Board Nominating Committee (Susanne Fairfax, Committee Chair)

6. Review the Roles of Officers (Discussion, 6:50 pm)

7. Election of Board Officers (Action, 7:00 pm)

8. New Business (7:10 pm)

9. Unfinished Business (7:35 pm)

10. Committee Reports (Discussion, 7:45 pm)

11. Financial Reports (7:50 pm)

12. Executive Director’s Report (Discussion, 7:55 pm)

13. Staff Reports (Discussion, 8:10 pm)

14. Additional Reports (Discussion, 8:30 pm)

15. Adjournment

New Business

Policy Review Procedure Review

Type of Review

Date of Last Review

Context

Review Committee

Committee Recommendations

Recommended Action

Markup Version: Policy Review Procedure Policy

Clean Version: Policy Review Policy

Township of Oak Park Youth Engagement IGA

AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR THE YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM, 2026 – 2028

OAK PARK TOWNSHIP agrees as follows:

The other participating government units agree as follows:

APPENDIX

Job Descriptions and Menu of Services

Job Functions:

APPENDIX

Job Descriptions and Menu of Services

Job Functions:

APPENDIX

Job Descriptions and Menu of Services

Unfinished Business

Consent Agenda Recommendation (Bylaws Revision/Governance Committee)

MEMORANDUM

I. Executive Summary

II. Implementing a Consent Agenda

III. Scope of the Consent Agenda

IV. Proposed Order of Business (Article VIII Amendment)

V. Recommendation

Bylaws of the Board of Trustees of the Oak Park Public Library (Article VIII) Review

Type of Review

Date of Last Review

Context

Review Committee

Committee Recommendations

Recommended Action

Markup Version: Bylaws of the Board of Trustees of the Oak Park Public Library

ARTICLE I – DEFINITION

ARTICLE II -PURPOSE

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS

ARTICLE V -DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS

ARTICLE VI – COMMITTEES

ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS

ARTICLE IX – THE LIBRARY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ARTICLE X – AMENDMENTS