834 Lake St., Oak Park, IL 60301 | Second Floor Scoville Room
Wednesday, September 23, 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. Public Comments (6:35 pm)
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.
3. Consent Agenda (Meeting Minutes, Routine Personnel Reports, Partner Reports, Financial Reports, Executive Director’s Report, & Strategic Priorities Report) (6:40 pm)
- Meeting Minutes
- Routine Personnel Reports
- Partner Reports
- Financial Reports
- Executive Director’s Report, September 2026
- Strategic Priorities Report, August 2026
4. Unfinished Business (6:45 pm)
5. New Business (7:30 pm)
- DRAFT 2–FY2027 Budget (Discussion)
5. Reports and Updates: Trustee Comments and Calendar (8:15 pm)
- Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 6 pm: Governance Committee Meeting
- Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 6:30 pm: Finance Committee Meeting
- Wednesday, October 28, 2026, 6:30 pm: Regular Library Board Meeting
6. Adjournment (8:30 pm)
Meeting Minutes
- Thursday, August 20, 2026 Finance Committee Meeting
- Wednesday, August 26, 2026 Regular Meeting
- Thursday, September 1, 2026 Governance Committee Meeting
Routine Personnel Reports
Staff Additions and Separations Report (August 2026)
Additions
No additions in August 2026.
Separations
| Name | Employment Status | Department | Job Title | Hire Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phifer, Jack | Part-Time, 20 or more hrs/wk | Technology | Systems Support Specialist | 06/27/2022 | 08/12/2026 |
| Behensky, Kiara | Temporary (less than 20 hrs/wk) | Collections Services | Summer Library Clerk | 05/27/2026 | 08/20/2026 |
| Copper, Rain | Temporary (less than 20 hrs/wk) | Patron Services | Book Bike Assistant | 06/03/2026 | 08/29/2026 |
Staff Changes Report (August 2026)
Changes
| Name | Employment Status | Department | Job Title | Change | Effective Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crumlish, CC | Full-Time | Technology | Information Technology Specialist | Promotion | 08/09/2026 | Previous title: Information Technology Assistant |
Partner Reports
Intergovernmental Committee (IGov)
Did not meet. The next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, September 19, with an update to be provided at the regular meeting on October 28, 2026.
Council of Governments (CoG)
Did not meet. The meeting was rescheduled to Wednesday, September 23, at 8 am.
Friends of the Oak Park Public Library
Did not meet.
Financial Reports
August 2026 Bank Reconciliation Reports and Cash Disbursement Journals (PDF)
Summary As of August 2026 (67% of the year complete)
Prepared by Linda Barnett – September 8, 2026
OPERATING CASH
Byline Checking: $480,866
*Outstanding payments: $(86,976)
Byline Analysis: $636,477
Byline Public Fund MM: $ 601,227
Hinsdale – Wintrust MM: $ 222,906
Illinois Funds Invest: $4,084,031
Ending operating cash available: $5,938,531
Art Fund: $3,279
OVERALL SUMMARY
Oak Park Public Library is 67% of the way through the fiscal year. The year-to-date (YTD) financial statement through August 2026 shows a surplus of $3,460,143, with $11,569,125 in Property Taxes revenue, which includes 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, most payments have been received.
August YTD revenue totaled $12,067,191, or 97% of the 2026 budget. This amount is 30% over the YTD budget for the fiscal year. Again, the $11,569,125 in Property Tax revenue received includes prior-year tax receipts paid in 2026.
August YTD operating expenditures totaled $8,292,966, or 66% of the 2026 budget. This amount aligns with the YTD budget for the fiscal year.
REVENUE
As of August 2026, the library has recorded $11,569,125 in property tax revenue, or 97% of the budget, for the fiscal year. This figure includes 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, and most disbursements have occurred.
The second installment of property tax bills was delayed by two months (from July 1 to September 1), pushing the due date for property tax payments from August 1 to October 1. The library will continue to monitor available cash and Cook County disbursements and take appropriate action to ensure continued operations.
Corporate Property Tax is at 81% of the annual budget, which is 14% over the YTD budget. Illinois disburses these payments to local taxing bodies eight times per year, and the next scheduled payment is due in October 2026.
Parking lot revenue of $22,136, or 71%, of the YTD budget. The revenue helps cover part of the costs of servicing and maintaining the parking garage and gates.
Interest Income at 62%, totaling $138,404. 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 at or below budget for FY2026.
Community Endowment revenue of $18,817, or 74% of the YTD budget. The revenue is earned as expenses are incurred against the foundation grants.
Miscellaneous Income of $15,386.28 is contributed to $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: $12,067,191
EXPENDITURES
Total disbursements: $986,654
The total People expenditure is at 67%, which aligns with the YTD budget. Workers’ Compensation Insurance payment for 2026 at 113% is due in January for the full year and is over budget due to an adjustment required after the annual carrier audit.
Support Services is expended at 77% of the YTD budget, which is 10% over budget. The over-expenditure is mainly due to various Administration Support Services costs:
- Audit Fees are at 87% of the budget, which is due to work performed through April 2026 for the FY25 audit.
- Consulting Services costs are overspent by 83% for this point of the year due to the use of a municipal advisor for the Fund Balance policy and consultant support for the Board’s strategic planning.
- Legal Fees is at 104% of the budget, due to ongoing legal counseling for various matters.
- Insurance (property, liability, auto, etc.), which is charged for the full year in the first month of the year and is at 89% of the budget line.
- Supplies are at 71% of the YTD budget and are typically under budget at this point in the year. However, printing costs for toner (charged quarterly) 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 at 71%, or 4% over YTD budget, driven by the timing of subscriptions and service renewals, which are at 86% YTD.
August’s operating expenditures are at 66%, which aligns with the YTD budget.
Account line/group expenditure levels by percentage:
People:
Compensation: 67%
Talent Development: 72%
Total People: 67%
Support Services:
Marketing: 61%
Store: 18%
Collections: 33%
Administration: 83%
Other Support Services: 57%
Total Support Services: 77%
Equity And Anti-Racism:
Total Equity And Anti-Racism: 30%
Library Materials:
Total Library Materials: 63%
Facilities Management:
Facilities Supplies: 53%
Facilities Services: 52%
Total Facilities Management: 52%
Public Services:
Programming: 50%
Digital Services: 76%
Total Public Services: 71%
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES: 66%
TOTAL CAPITAL AND OUTSIDE SUPPORT: 44%
Oak Park Public Library Statement of Revenue & Expenditure – Period Ending 8/31/2026
Revenue
| Category | Current Month | YTD Totals | Total Annual Budget | % Budget YTD Received/Expended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Property Taxes, for operating | 98,287.61 | 11,569,125.41 | 11,979,000 | 96.58% |
| Corp. Property Replacement Tax | 10,762.32 | 157,922.78 | 195,000 | 80.99% |
| Service changes & fees | 46.00 | 417.00 | 0 | 0% |
| Lost Books Reimbursed/Reciprocal Borrowing | 0 | 8,172.51 | 13,000 | 62.87% |
| Sales | 45.00 | 232.00 | 0 | 0% |
| Rentals-Library Space | 1,065.28 | 3,205.39 | 0 | 0% |
| Vending/Enterprise Income | 302.39 | 302.39 | 0 | 0% |
| Parking lot revenue | 2,802.28 | 22,136.45 | 31,200 | 70.95% |
| Interest | 17,276.53 | 138,403.67 | 223,000 | 62.06% |
| Illinois Per Capita Grant | 0 | 290.00 | 0 | 0% |
| Gifts | 1,000 | 11,533.94 | 25,000 | 46.14% |
| Gifts from FOPPL | 92,791.10 | 92,791.10 | 0 | 0% |
| Grants | 997.23 | 28,455.21 | 0 | 0% |
| Community Fund Endowments | 913.43 | 18,817.06 | 25,300 | 74.38% |
| Miscellaneous Income | 4,324.99 | 15,386.28 | 9,000 | 170.96% |
| TOTAL REVENUE | 230,614.16 | 12,067,191.19 | 12,500,500 | 96.53% |
Expenses – Operating
People
Compensation
| Category | Current Month | YTD Totals | Total Annual Budget | % Budget YTD Received/Expended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wages & Salaries | 566,774.97 | 4,661,538.62 | 7,010,000 | 66.50% |
| Employee Health Benefits | 123,946.26 | 953,307.51 | 1,364,000 | 69.89% |
| IMRF (Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund) | 20,704.74 | 171,680.54 | 273,000 | 62.89% |
| FICA/MEDICARE | 41,369.02 | 340,685.80 | 517,000 | 65.90% |
| Workers Compensation Insurance | 854 | 19,708 | 17,500 | 112.62% |
| Unemployment Compensation Insurance | 3,962 | 3,962 | 15,000 | 26.41% |
| Total Compensation | 757,610.99 | 6,150,882.47 | 9,196,500 | 66.88% |
Talent Development
| Category | Current Month | YTD Totals | Total Annual Budget | % Budget YTD Received/Expended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dues | 525.00 | 19,101 | 19,000 | 100.53% |
| Staff Development/Travel | 6,805.47 | 76,096.46 | 107,850 | 70.56% |
| Tuition Reimbursement | 10,182.94 | 18,130.94 | 27,000 | 67.15% |
| Hiring | 525.00 | 1,110 | 3,500 | 31.71% |
| Board Development | 0 | 2,420 | 6,000 | 40.33% |
| Total Talent Development | 18,038.41 | 116,858.40 | 163,350 | 71.54% |
| TOTAL PEOPLE | 775,649.40 | 6,267,740.87 | 9,359,850 | 66.96% |
Support Services
Marketing
| Category | Current Month | YTD Totals | Total Annual Budget | % Budget YTD Received/Expended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotions | 3,600.47 | 10,218.91 | 13,000 | 78.61% |
| Publications | 1,050.70 | 20,491.73 | 37,000 | 55.38% |
| Total Marketing Support | 4,651.17 | 30,710.64 | 50,000 | 61.42% |
Store
| Category | Current Month | YTD Totals | Total Annual Budget | % Budget YTD Received/Expended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Merchandise | 0 | 0 | 250 | 0% |
| Fees & Servcies | 10.48 | 179.15 | 750 | 23.89% |
| Total Store Support | 10.48 | 179.15 | 1,000 | 17.92% |
Collections
| Category | Current Month | YTD Totals | Total Annual Budget | % Budget YTD Received/Expended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ILL Payments | 75.00 | 329.74 | 3,500 | 9.42% |
| Cataloging/Bib Search Fees | 0 | 1,676.76 | 2,500 | 67.07% |
| Total Collections Support | 75.00 | 2,006.50 | 6,000 | 33.44% |
Administration
| Category | Current Month | YTD Totals | Total Annual Budget | % Budget YTD Received/Expended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRIS & Payroll Processing Fees | 3,271.18 | 22,402.79 | 34,000 | 65.89% |
| Mileage & Miscellaneous Reimbursement | 53.58 | 8,003.56 | 20,000 | 40.02% |
| Hospitality | 0 | 271.32 | 5,000 | 5.43% |
| Staff Appreciation/Engagement | 446.59 | 7,318.90 | 12,000 | 60.99% |
| Audit Fees | 0 | 10,100 | 11,600 | 87.07% |
| Merchant Account Services | 118.98 | 846.44 | 1,200 | 70.54% |
| Consulting Services – Admin | 0 | 39,677.50 | 48,000 | 82.66% |
| Intergovernmental Agreements (IGA) | 0 | 13,773.54 | 25,900 | 53.18% |
| Legal Fees | 7,625.00 | 25,936.75 | 25,000 | 103.75% |
| Postage & Delivery | 0 | 14,991.71 | 18,500 | 81.04% |
| Insurance | 0 | 117,052.06 | 132,000 | 88.68% |
| Contingency | 0 | 840.49 | 0 | 0% |
| Grant Expenses | 997.23 | 28,455.21 | 0 | 0% |
| Supplies | 8,213.47 | 63,539.00 | 90,000 | 70.60% |
| Total Administration Support | 20,726.03 | 353,209.27 | 423,200 | 83.46% |
Other Support Services
| Category | Current Month | YTD Totals | Total Annual Budget | % Budget YTD Received/Expended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telephone/Communications | 3,592.84 | 32,770.35 | 60,000 | 54.62% |
| Office & Library Machinery Service | 1,158.13 | 9,265.04 | 14,000 | 66.18% |
| Total Other Support Services | 4,750.97 | 42,035.39 | 74,000 | 56.80% |
| TOTAL SUPPORT SERVICES | 30,213.65 | 428,140.95 | 554,200 | 77.25% |
Equity and Anti-Racism
| Category | Current Month | YTD Totals | Total Annual Budget | % Budget YTD Received/Expended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Learning & Development | 0 | 174.00 | 20,000 | 0.87% |
| Affinity Groups | 0 | 461.92 | 2,000 | 23.10% |
| Community Engagement | 32.10 | 10,280 | 14,000 | 73.43% |
| TOTAL EQUITY AND ANTI-RACISM | 32.10 | 10,915.92 | 36,000 | 30.32% |
Library Materials
| Category | Current Month | YTD Totals | Total Annual Budget | % Budget YTD Received/Expended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Print Materials | 35,427.88 | 217,640.14 | 388,000 | 56.09% |
| Audio & Video Materials | 6,803.56 | 52,566.01 | 96,500 | 54.47% |
| Digital Content | 51,893.38 | 474,875.52 | 665,700 | 71.33% |
| Devices | 1,381.82 | 11,605.98 | 26,000 | 44.64% |
| Realia & other formats | 992.25 | 5,005.55 | 10,500 | 47.67% |
| Archival Collection | 113.12 | 2,363.58 | 20,000 | 11.82% |
| TOTAL LIBRARY MATERIALS | 96,612.01 | 764,056.78 | 1,206,700 | 63.32% |
Facilities Management
Facility Supplies
| Category | Current Month | YTD Totals | Total Annual Budget | % Budget YTD Received/Expended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuels & Lubricants | 0 | 1,084.50 | 2,000 | 54.23% |
| Building Materials & Supplies | 278.82 | 5,143.98 | 12,000 | 42.87% |
| Equipment Parts | 1,725.54 | 6,652.20 | 12,000 | 55.44% |
| Cleaning & Housekeeping Supplies | 752.50 | 4,684.58 | 9,000 | 52.05% |
| Signage | 1,500 | 3,253.26 | 4,000 | 81.33% |
| Total Facility Supplies | 4,256.86 | 20,818.52 | 39,000 | 53.38% |
Facilities Services
| Category | Current Month | YTD Totals | Total Annual Budget | % Budget YTD Received/Expended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping & snow removal services | 567 | 7,395 | 25,750 | 28.72% |
| Custodial Services | 17,599.75 | 140,881.23 | 236,000 | 59.70% |
| Water | 764.52 | 6,352.13 | 12,250 | 51.85% |
| Sewer/Garbage | 944.15 | 8,016.83 | 14,000 | 57.26% |
| Parking lot expense | 0 | 6,591.06 | 10,750 | 61.31% |
| Natural Gas | 1,877.98 | 30,431.15 | 90,000 | 33.81% |
| Rentals-Equipment & Facilities | 1,370.00 | 10,960 | 25,000 | 43.84% |
| Repair & Maintenance Prop. & Equip. | 1,304.91 | 137,065.06 | 254,000 | 53.96% |
| Total Facilities Services | 24,428.31 | 347,692.46 | 667,750 | 52.07% |
| TOTAL FACILITIES MANAGEMENT | 28,685.17 | 368,510.98 | 706,750.00 | 52.14% |
Public Services
Programming
| Category | Current Month | YTD Totals | Total Annual Budget | % Budget YTD Received/Expended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children’s Programming | 1,131.94 | 16,833.39 | 28,000 | 60.12% |
| Middle & High School Programming | 1,219.15 | 8,251.02 | 26,000 | 31.73% |
| Adult Programming | 1,338.83 | 21,644.53 | 35,000 | 61.84% |
| Social Services | 356.00 | 1,515.92 | 10,000 | 15.16% |
| Creative Studio | 870.06 | 6,499.26 | 11,000 | 59.08% |
| Patron Services Programming | 11.65 | 1,533.47 | 3,000 | 51.12% |
| Total Programming | 4,927.63 | 56,277.59 | 113,000 | 49.80% |
Digital Services
| Category | Current Month | YTD Totals | Total Annual Budget | % Budget YTD Received/Expended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consultant Support Services | 3,487.50 | 36,427.00 | 65,000 | 56.04% |
| SWAN | 0 | 77,469.45 | 111,000 | 69.79% |
| Subscriptions & Services | 59,201.11 | 279,312.13 | 323,000 | 86.47% |
| Equipment & Supplies | 622.24 | 4,114.00 | 25,000 | 16.46% |
| Total Digital Services | 63,310.85 | 397,322.58 | 524,000 | 75.82% |
| TOTAL PUBLIC SERVICES | 68,238.48 | 453,600.17 | 637,000 | 71.21% |
| TOTAL EXPENSES – Operating | 999,430.81 | 8,292,965.67 | 12,500,500 | 66.34% |
Expenses – Capital
| Category | Current Month | YTD Totals | Total Annual Budget | % Budget YTD Received/Expended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facilities Equipment | 636.16 | 1,664.18 | 10,000 | 16.64% |
| Furnishings | 6,088.94 | 30,566.19 | 75,000 | 40.75% |
| Technology Projects & Equipment | 0 | 8,364.71 | 60,000 | 13.94% |
| Building Improvements | 11,597.23 | 273,487.36 | 575,000 | 47.56% |
| TOTAL EXPENSES – Capital | 18,322.33 | 314,082.44 | 720,000 | 43.62% |
| NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) | (787,138.98) | 3,460,143.08 | (720,000) | (480.58%) |
Resolution on Disbursements, August 2026
RESOLVED THAT DISBURSEMENTS FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2026 IN THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF $986,654 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.
Executive Director’s Report, September 2026
Executive Director’s Report, September 2026 (web version, below | PDF version)
Prepared by Elsworth Carman for the September 23, 2026 Board of Library Trustees Meeting
Summer 2026 Reflections
Summer is a busy season at the Oak Park Public Library, with tremendous effort put into planning and facilitating summer programs, outreach, and other initiatives. As we transition into fall, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the past few months.
Two collaborations between staff and trustees stand out to me as impactful:
- Our new approach to staffing the library’s A Day in Our Village table, with both trustees and staff (members of the Leadership and Management Teams), was a great way to make board and staff leadership accessible to the community in a low-pressure, festive environment.
- At the American Library Association Annual Conference, trustees and staff served on a panel about leading after administrative disruption, creating a platform to share our experiences over the past year with other library staff and trustees from around the country. Both instances enabled staff and trustees to build relationships, demonstrate collaboration, and engage with diverse audiences.
In July, library staff supported the Friends of the Oak Park Public Library Book Fair by sharing space, assisting with table and materials setup, and adjusting library functions to accommodate the sale traffic. The Book Fair is a huge undertaking for the Friends group, and staff appreciate the opportunity to help as appropriate. This year’s event achieved the highest gross sales to date.
Our annual Summer Reading Program (SRP) spanned all ages and was a resounding success. It’s so fun to see young participants wearing their beads around the community, and our teen and adult patrons actively engaged with the program, as well. The reading component of SRP was also complemented by many programs and outreach events. SRP is one of the library’s most significant annual initiatives and represents substantial planning from several departments.
We welcomed a full cohort of teen interns this summer, with placements across multiple departments. The teen internship program provides employment opportunities for community youth, enables library staff to strengthen their management and leadership skills, and offers teen participants the chance to explore careers in libraries through hands-on experience.
These are just a sample of highlights from the last few months, chosen to celebrate the ways library staff and community members came together to read, learn, and grow over the summer. Watching these projects come to life and seeing our community engage with our services in both traditional and seasonal ways is truly a joy. It’s also important to note that, in addition to special summer programming, our staff maintain general library services throughout this busy season of shifting schedules, changing library use patterns, and unique service demands. Staff members do an exceptional job managing these changes and maintaining a high level of customer service.
I am truly grateful for the hard work of staff, the active participation of the community, and the compassionate guidance of the library board. Thank you for a successful summer season!
Strategic Priorities Report (August 2026)
- Library’s logic model
- Strategic Priorities Report: August 2026 (web version, below | PDF version)
Engagement in August 2026
- We create opportunities for connection and community participation.
- We deliver inclusive, compassionate, and high-quality customer service.
Work Highlights
Engaging older adult community members (Public Services & Programs)
In August, we saw strong engagement across the library’s older adult offerings, marked by steady attendance at ongoing programs and high turnouts for special presentations. Weekly offerings like Chair Yoga and the Wednesday Matinee, alongside monthly favorites like the Older Adult Coffee Hour and Scrabble Club, continued to attract new faces. Adult Programming Librarian Jabez Patterson highlighted the welcoming community spirit at Scrabble Club, where a new couple recently joined a group of regular attendees, ending the session with shared laughs and new connections. In addition to regular programming, Older Adult Services Librarian Claire Steiner hosted two highly successful special events. On August 19, Oak Park Township’s Aging & Disability Resource Center gave a presentation on its resources available to Oak Park residents. On August 27, 86 community members attended a program entitled “Aging at Home in Oak Park: Preparing for the Unexpected & Understanding What Happens Next,” featuring Oak Park professionals who support older adults — including first responders, social workers, hospital staff, in-home caregivers, and assisted living specialists.
Showcasing the library’s community impact (Collections)
The Special Collections Team recently welcomed two Middle & High School (MHS) Services team members for a tour: Programming Specialist James Turner, along with Fred Brandstrader, the facilitator for “Lights, Camera, Community” — a weekly afterschool program at the library in which high school students learn the basics of video production and create stories that highlight the library’s impact on the community. As part of the “Lights, Camera, Community” program, James and Fred are planning to collaborate with local teens to highlight the library’s Special Collections, aiming to work with students to create a mini-documentary about the history it preserves, the unique materials we care for, and the work that the team does to make these materials accessible to the community. This documentary will be part of the group’s series showcasing the positive impact the library has on the community.
Community Voice
Attendees at the “Aging at Home in Oak Park” program (described above) shared positive feedback in a post-program survey, including the following comments:
- “A well-run presentation with experts. Practical information and helpful resources.”
- “What I liked most was the info given. Prior to this program I was not aware of the many services offered to the elderly in OP.”
- “Facilitator was excellent; topics were relevant.”
- “Well organized format. Excellent presentations of info that is so necessary for our age group.”
Learning in August 2026
- We encourage exploration of new ideas through diverse collections, programs, and other resources.
- We support community members and staff in developing the knowledge and skills to reach their goals.
Work Highlights
2026 Summer Reading Program (Public Services & Programs)
On August 31, our 2026 Summer Reading Program (SRP) came to a close, after three months of excitement. We ran our Adult SRP and longstanding Kids SRP during the same time period (June 1-August 31), while our teen program ran June 8-August 7. Both the Kids and Adult SRPs used Beanstack, an online platform where participants could register and track their reading and activities.
In our Kids SRP, we once again centered time-based tracking, encouraging readers to log 20 minutes per day, working toward a 20-hour goal for the summer. As always, our motto was “all reading is good reading,” and kids were encouraged to read in a way that best suits them. Each hour of reading earned kids our ever-popular prizes of a bead or vinyl sticker, plus special beads for every five hours logged. Participants were also able to choose from over 140 activities in six categories, earning badges for activity completion. Participants were given the option to track their SRP activities directly in Beanstack or via a paper log that they then turned in to library staff to be entered in Beanstack.
Over the summer, 2,200 people registered for Kids SRP, and 1,747 active participants collected over 26,000 beads and stickers, completed more than 3,000 activities, and logged over 1.7 million minutes of reading — an impressive 3.4 years’ worth of time! Find more detail about our participants’ amazing work in this report.
This year’s Middle & High School (MHS) Services SRP saw its strongest engagement in years, with 60 teens participating. The program was available for rising 6th graders through 12th graders, and any kind of reading or listening to books, graphic novels, magazines, or audiobooks could be logged. Attending summer programs and activities at the library also helped earn prizes.
Participants in this year’s Adult SRP earned badges by completing a variety of activities — including reading or watching a favorite title, selecting a title from a curated list, taking a course on LinkedIn Learning or Creativebug, or attending a library event. Each virtual badge earned served as an entry into our prize drawing: five winners received a $100 Downtown Oak Park gift card valid at numerous local businesses, and another five won an Oak Park Public Library sweatshirt from the Oak Park Public Library Store. To add an extra element of fun and showcase library resources, a scavenger hunt for “seeds of knowledge” cartoons featuring QR codes were hidden throughout the Main Library, branches, and Book Bikes, which 28 participants completed. Overall, 281 adults registered for the program, with 196 active participants claiming 860 badges, completing 853 activities, and logging more than 310,000 minutes of reading — the equivalent of nearly 216 days of continuous reading!
Stewardship in August 2026
- We provide broad, effective, and equitable access to resources.
- We care for community resources, library assets, and library staff responsibly, ethically, and sustainably.
Work Highlights
Maintaining & improving library spaces (Facilities)
In August, the Main Library tuckpointing project continued, reaching 70% completion by the end of the month. To date, the project has gone well, with no unexpected developments or change orders. Also in August, the Facilities Team spent time performing routine, but critical, maintenance to many internal systems. During this routine maintenance, the team identified that our parking garage catch basins were not performing up to standard because of sediment buildup at the bottom of the basins. If these catch basins do not pump at full capacity, drainage issues can develop in the parking garage. Thanks to the team’s attention to detail, we identified this before it became an issue, and we are working with our plumber to have the basins cleaned and jetted before the fall.
Staff Well-Being Committee Update (Finance & HR)
In August, the Staff Well-Being Committee held its first monthly meeting after a library-wide call for volunteers and welcomed five new staff members: Supervising Librarian in MHS Services Alex Gutierrez, Older Adult Services Librarian Claire Steiner, Middle School Librarian Fiona Dolce, Creative Technology Specialist Jericho Savage, and Supervising Librarian in Adult Services Margita Lidaka. Co-chaired by Director of Finance & HR Billy Treece and Staff Learning & Well-Being Specialist Ginger Slade, the 12-member committee champions workplace culture and staff well-being initiatives throughout the library. We extend our gratitude to both our new and continuing members for their dedicated service and to their supervisors for supporting their time to attend meetings and leadership development.
Enhancing Online Security (Technology)
The IT Team has implemented a new email security solution to further protect our network and staff communications. This deployment represents the first phase of a broader multi-stage project aimed at enhancing the library’s overall security posture. By proactively filtering and monitoring incoming messages, this tool provides a critical layer of defense against modern threats such as phishing and malware, ensuring a safer digital environment for the organization.
Refreshing Popular Collections (Collections)
In August, Collection Management Librarian Dontaná McPherson-Joseph and Cataloging & Metadata Librarian Claire Drillinger finished an eight-month refresh of our adult and teen graphic novel collections. Using professional reviews, industry standards, and subject matter expertise, they evaluated both collections for condition, popular interest, and age relevance, updating spine labels to get books into the right sections. The update makes it much easier for patrons to find what they want and simplifies shelving for the Materials Handling Team. Additional spine label updates for popular series will continue through the end of the year.
Anti-Racism & Equity in August 2026
- We develop and implement library policies and practices that promote equitable outcomes and experiences for staff and the public.
- We support our diverse community through responsive and intentional resource sharing, communication, and relationship building.
Work Highlights
Building New Skills & Expertise Among Staff (Anti-Racism & Equity)
The Equity & Anti-Racism Team recently completed an intensive five-day, 40-hour Conflict Resolution & Mediation Skills Training focused on strengthening skills in communication, conflict navigation, and facilitated problem-solving. Through the training, Director of Equity & Anti-Racism Shalonda Lane and Manager of Community Engagement Chibuike Enyia are now trained facilitative mediators, expanding the team’s capacity to support constructive dialogue, navigate challenging conversations, and foster understanding and collaboration within the library’s work.
Honoring International Overdose Day (Anti-Racism & Equity)
In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, the library partnered with the Oak Park Township and River Forest Township Opioid Task Force to host a screening of Recovery City. Through viewing the film and participating in a Q&A discussion with local professionals after the screening, community members had the opportunity to learn more about substance use, recovery, and the impact of the opioid crisis. To make the program more accessible to community members who could not attend in person, the screening and discussion were also made available for virtual viewing after the event.
A New Community Partnership to Address Health Disparities (Social Services & Public Safety)
Beginning in October 2026, the Loyola Street Medicine program will begin providing outreach services to the library’s unhoused patrons. Loyola Street Medicine is dedicated to providing medical care and social outreach to address health disparities among individuals experiencing homelessness, and its interdisciplinary team is comprised of medical residents, medical students, nurses, and public health specialists. Director of Social Services & Public Safety Rob Simmons is very excited about introducing this program, which will improve access to quality health care for vulnerable patrons at the library.
Community Voice
Special Collections at the Oak Park Public Library was cited in two recent Wednesday Journal articles:
Unfinished Business
Draft Bylaws of the Board of Trustees of the Oak Park Public Library
Draft Bylaws of the Board of Trustees of the Oak Park Public Library (web version, below | PDF version)
The redlines are attorney edits that are pending discussion
Article I. Definitions
- “Library” means the Oak Park Public Library, established and operated under the Local Library Act, 75 ILCS 5/1-1, et seq.
- “Board” means the Board of Trustees of the Oak Park Public Library.
- “Executive Director” means the chief executive officer of the Library appointed by the Board.
Article II. Purpose and Role
The Board is responsible for governance, policy direction, fiduciary oversight, and long-term stewardship of the Library. The administration and day-to-day operations of the Library are delegated to—and remain—the responsibility of the Executive Director.
The Board shall determine Library policy, appoint and evaluate the Executive Director, oversee the Library’s financial affairs, and support the provision of library services responsive to the needs of the Oak Park community.
The Board shall carry out its duties in accordance with the Illinois Local Library Act (75 ILCS 5/1-1, et seq.) and all Illinois laws and regulations governing the acts of elected officials, including but not limited to the Illinois Governmental ethics act (5 ILCS 420/4A-101, et seq.), the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act (5 ILCS 430/1-1 et seq.) and the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act (50 ILCS 105/0.01 et seq.) and the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A).
Article III. Trustees
Section 1 Trustees
The Board shall consist of seven trustees elected by the voters of the Village of Oak Park.
Trustees shall serve staggered four-year terms beginning at the Board’s Annual Meeting in May or the first meeting within 60 days of following their election or appointment. Trustees shall be elected in odd-numbered years, with terms staggered so that either three or four trustee terms expire at each regular election.
The Board shall, within sixty (60) days after the close of each fiscal year, file with the Village an annual report setting forth the financial condition and operations of the Library for the preceding fiscal year, in accordance with 75 ILCS 5/4-10.
Section 2 Trustee Vacancies
If a trustee resigns or is unable to complete their term in accordance with Section 4-4 of the Local Library Act, 75 ILCS 5/4-4, the Board shall declare a vacancy and the remaining trustees, acting collectively as a Board, shall fill it by majority vote within 90 days, in accordance with the Illinois Local Library Act 75 ILCS 5/4-4. No individual trustee or officer has independent authority to fill a trustee vacancy. The appointed trustee shall serve until the next regular library election, unless the Act permits the appointment to continue for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Section 3 Compensation and Expenses
Trustees shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for authorized expenses in accordance with the Local Government Travel Expense Control Act, 50 ILCS 150/1.
Section 4 Ethics and Disclosure
Trustees shall discharge their duties in the public interest and avoid conflicts between personal interests and official responsibilities.
Trustees shall comply with all required ethics, financial disclosure, and training obligations imposed by law.
Article IV. Officers
Section 1 Officers
The officers of the Board shall be:
- President
- Vice President
- Secretary
- Finance Officer
Section 2 Election and Terms
Regular officer elections shall occur at the first regular meeting following the election of trustees.
Officers shall be elected by the Board from among its trustees. Before each annual meeting in an election year, the Board, acting as a committee of the whole, shall meet in special session to recommend a slate of officers. Officers shall be elected at the annual meeting, and additional nominations may be made from the floor.
Officers shall serve two-year terms. The President may not serve more than two consecutive full terms as President, excluding any partial term served to fill a vacancy, but may be re-elected President after a one-term break in service.
Section 3 Vacancies and Removal of Officers
A vacancy in any office, including a vacancy created by resignation or removal, shall be filled by majority vote of the Board for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Any officer may be removed from office their position by a majority vote of the Board.
Section 4 Succession of Presiding Officer
In the absence or incapacity of the President, the Vice President shall perform the duties of the President, including presiding over Board meetings.
In the absence or incapacity of both the President and Vice President, the Secretary shall preside over Board meetings.
If the President, Vice President, and Secretary are all absent or incapacitated, the remaining trustees present shall elect a presiding officer pro tempore for that meeting.
Section 5 Duties of Officers
- President – The President shall preside over and approve the final agendas of meetings of the full Board of Trustees, and act as an ex officio member of all committees.
- Vice President – The Vice President shall, in the absence of the President, perform all the duties of that office and other duties as delegated by the President.
- Secretary – The Secretary shall call the roll at meetings, record the minutes in closed meetings, and perform other duties as delegated by the President.
- Finance Officer – The Finance Officer shall chair the Finance Committee and serve as the board’s chief liaison to the Executive Director in developing the budget.
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.
Article V. Full Board Meetings
Section 1 Regular Meetings
The Board shall hold regular meetings at times and places established by the Board on an annual basis. The schedule of regular meetings shall be posted and open to the public as required by the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/1 et seq.).
Section 2 Agendas
Meeting agendas shall be prepared by the President in consultation with the Executive Director. Any agenda items requested in writing by at least two trustees shall be placed on the agenda of a future regular meeting within a reasonable time.
Section 3 Special Meetings
Special meetings may be called by the President or upon the written request of two trustees. Only business identified in the notice and agenda of the special meeting may be conducted at the special meeting.
Section 4 Notice
Notice of meetings shall be provided at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting or as required by law the Open Meetings Act.
Section 5 Quorum
A majority of trustees then serving shall constitute a quorum for the purposes of conducting Library business. Absent a physical quorum of trustees, the Board shall not meet for the purposes of discussing or conducting Library business.
Section 6 Voting
Except as otherwise required by law or these bylaws, official action of the Board shall require the affirmative vote of a simple majority of trustees present and voting at a meeting at which a quorum is present. A roll call vote shall be required on resolutions, ordinances, any matter creating a liability or authorizing the expenditure of Library funds, or at the request of any trustee.
Section 7 Remote Participation
Trustees may participate remotely in accordance with applicable law the Open Meetings Act and the Board Policy.
Section 8 Remote Participation
Public participation shall be permitted at all meetings of the Board, and at meetings shall be governed by applicable law the Open Meetings Act and the Board Policy.
Article VI. Committees
Section 1 Standing Committees
The Board shall establish the following standing committees, which shall review matters within their respective areas and make recommendations to the full Board for action at the monthly regular or special Board meeting:
- Governance Committee — responsible for reviewing and recommending policy matters, Bylaws, and organizing the annual evaluation of the Executive Director.
- Finance Committee — responsible for reviewing and recommending financial matters.
All recommendations of standing committees shall be subject to approval by a vote of the full Board.
Section 2 Establishment of other Committees
The Board may establish ad hoc committees by resolution as necessary to support its work.
The Board shall define the purpose, authority, membership, and duration of any ad hoc committee.
Section 3 Committee Role and Authority
Committees shall study matters referred to them and make recommendations to the Board.
Committee recommendations shall not constitute action of the Board unless adopted by the Board.
Committees shall not act on behalf of the Board unless expressly authorized by Board action. authority to act is expressly delegated by the full Board.
Committees shall not direct Library staff.
Committees, as subsidiary public bodies, shall conduct all meetings in accordance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act. (5 ILCS 120/1 et seq.).
Section 4 Committee Membership
Committee membership shall consist of trustees and any ex officio members authorized by these bylaws or by Board resolution.
Committees must have a chairperson and at least one non-officer member.
The President shall appoint chairs and committee members subject to approval by with the consent of the Board.
Article VII. Administration
Section 1 Executive Director
The Board shall appoint, evaluate, and determine the compensation of the Executive Director.
The Executive Director shall be responsible for the administration and operation of the Library, including supervision of Library staff and implementation of Board policy.
The Executive Director shall report to the Board regarding the operations and affairs of the Library as requested by the Board.
Section 2 Relationship Between Board and Administration
Individual Trustees shall not direct library staff except as expressly authorized by Board action. The Executive Director is considered an executive officer of the Library Board of Trustees the chief executive officer of the Library.
Article VIII. Parliamentary Authority
The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern parliamentary procedure when not inconsistent with law or these bylaws. The Board may vote to suspend Robert’s Rules by a majority vote at any meeting.
Article IX. Amendments
Any Trustee may propose an amendment to these bylaws at any regular meeting of the Board. A proposed amendment shall take effect upon approval by a majority vote of the Board at a subsequent regular meeting. These bylaws shall be reviewed annually by the Board.
New Business
Board Memo – Building a Balanced Overall Budget for Fiscal Year 2027
To: Board of Library Trustees
From: Billy Treece, Director of Finance & HR
Date: September 16, 2026
Subject: Building a Balanced Overall Budget for Fiscal Year 2027 (Drafts 2a & 2b)
The second draft of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget is attached in two versions (Draft 2a and Draft 2b) for your review and consideration.
Process Reminder
Each year, the Board of Library Trustees reviews and approves the library’s budget for the next fiscal year (January 1 to December 31). In accordance with Illinois law, because Oak Park is structured as a local village library, the approved budget is then submitted as a levy resolution to the Village of Oak Park, which includes the library’s levy in its levy to the Cook County Treasurer. Typically spanning six months, the process generally is as follows:
- June & July: Library staff work to develop the first draft of next year’s budget.
- August: Library staff present the first budget draft to the Library Board for discussion and direction on the levy request and priorities.
- September: Library staff present the second budget draft for further Library Board discussion and direction.
- October: Library Board reviews and approves the third budget draft and the levy resolution.
- November: Library staff sends the approved levy resolution to the Village of Oak Park.
- December: The Village incorporates the library’s levy into its levy, the Village Board approves it, and sends it to the Cook County Treasurer.
Staff Budget Goals
Building on our recent success of balancing our operational budget, our primary focus for FY2027 is Building a Balanced Overall Budget. By applying a modified zero-based budgeting approach across all departments, our goal is to build an operational net surplus that directly funds capital expenses.
Following feedback from the Board during the August 2026 meeting, staff prepared two versions of the second draft:
- Draft 2a (Updated Baseline): Continues the Draft 1 framework (4.0% tax levy increase), incorporating updated projections and quotes gathered over the last month.
- Draft 2b (Overall Balanced Scenario): Illustrates the specific revenue and expenditure changes required to achieve a $0.00 total net deficit across operating and capital budgets combined.
Key Items in Draft 2 Budget (Updated Baseline)
Oak Park Public Library DRAFT 2a–FY2027 Budget Totals Summary
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL REVENUE | 12,500,500 | 12,618,175 | 13,090,600 | 4.7% |
| TOTAL EXPENSES – Operating | 12,500,500 | 12,277,154 | 12,950,000 | 3.8% |
| NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) OPERATING | 0 | 341,021 | 140,100 | 0.0% |
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL EXPENSES – Capital | 720,000 | 620,346 | 375,000 | -47.9% |
| NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) OPERATING & CAPITAL | (720,000) | (279,325) | (234,900) | -67.4% |
Draft 2a reflects refined cost inputs and revenue data received since August. Note: “(change)” or “(same)” indicates line items that changed or remained identical relative to Draft 1.
- Revenue increased by $590,100, or 4.7% (from $12,500,500 in FY2026 to $13,090,600 in Draft 2a).
- (change) Community Fund Endowments, +$2,100 or +8.3%: Actual distribution reported by the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation is $27,400 (up from $25,600 in Draft 1).
- (same) Property Taxes, +$481,000 or +4.0%: The Oak Park community funds its library through property taxes. Property taxes account for 95.2% of total budgeted revenue. For illustrative purposes, if all factors were equal, a 4.0% levy increase amounts to $20.58 more per Oak Park household annually (from $512.51 to $533.09).
- Operating expenses increased by $450,000, or 3.6% (from $12,500,500 in FY2026 to $12,950,500 in Draft 2a, down $25,500 from Draft 1):
- (change) Supplies, +$8,000 or +8.9%: Decreased by $19,000 from Draft 1 (from $117,000 to $98,000) based on YTD spending and updated vendor estimates that offset printing price increases.
- (change) Office & Library Machinery Service, -$5,500 or -39.3%: Decreased by $6,500 from Draft 1 (from $15,000 to $8,500) following a finalized copier replacement quote.
- (change) Equity and Anti-Racism, +$1,000 or +2.8%: Consolidated Community Engagement ($14,000) and Learning & Development ($20,000) into a single “Programs, Learning & Engagement” line ($34,000), and updated Supplies-Equity to “Affinity Groups” ($3,000). Total category remains $37,000.
- (same) People / Compensation, +$495,500 or +5.4%: Total Compensation remains $9,692,000 (Wages & Salaries $7,286,000 with market equity pay adjustments averaging 3.9% to maintain market competitiveness, 20 additional hours per week for Public Safety coverage, and 8 added weeks for a temporary Book Bike Assistant.; Employee Health Benefits $1,625,000; IMRF $208,000; FICA/Medicare $537,000; Workers’ Comp $20,000; Unemployment $16,000).
- Operating Net Surplus is $140,100 (an improvement of $27,300 over Draft 1’s $112,800)
- Capital expenses are planned for $375,000 (down $10,000 from Draft 1’s $385,000):
- (change) Technology Projects and Equipment, -$5,000 or -8.3%: Decreased by $10,000 from Draft 1 (from $65,000 to $55,000) based on revised 2027 IT requirements.
- (same) Facilities Equipment ($10,000), Furnishings ($25,000), Building Improvements ($285,000–details below).
Building Improvements
Main Library
| Project | Cost Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LED Conversion – Hanging Pendants | $120,000 | Converts linear fluorescent T5 lamps to TLED solution. Temporary solution pending design of SFP. Rough budget number provided by Verde. Not quoted. |
| First Floor Concrete Epoxy | $25,000 | Repairs and renews first floor staff area “shop floor.” Prevents further damage and fixes aesthetic deterioration. Quoted. |
| Parking Garage Ramp Concrete Repair | $25,000 | Repairs crunching concrete at base of ramp near trench drain and prevents further escalating damage. Proposals landing near $20,000. Includes contigency. |
| Security Systems Improvements | $15,000 | Security system improvements per Public Safety. |
Maze Branch
| Project | Cost Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuckpointing, Caulking, Sealant and Sandstone Repair | $50,000 | Building tuckpointing maintenance, replaces deteriorating control joints and sealant, repairs failed and deteriorating sandstone. Placeholder value. Awaiting full proposal. |
Dole Branch
| Project | Cost Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Paint Entire Library | $50,000 | Rough number to paint complete interior of Dole Library. Project to include spot repair of walls, caulking, spot printing, and 3 coats of paint. 2026 project quote of $38,000, not including full occupied space. Rough budget to include entire occupied space. |
| Total | $285,000 |
- Overall Net Surplus/(Deficit) is $(234,900), improving by $37,300 compared to Draft 1 $(272,200).
Key Items in Draft 2b Budget (Overall Balanced Scenario)
Oak Park Public Library DRAFT 2b–FY2027 Budget Totals Summary
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL REVENUE | 12,500,500 | 12,618,175 | 13,214,500 | 5.7% |
| TOTAL EXPENSES – Operating | 12,500,500 | 12,277,154 | 12,889,500 | 3.1% |
| NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) OPERATING | 0 | 341,021 | 325,000 | N/A |
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL EXPENSES – Capital | 720,000 | 620,346 | 325,000 | -54.9% |
| NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) OPERATING & CAPITAL | (720,000) | (279,325) | 0 | -100.0% |
Draft 2b illustrates what is required to achieve a truly overall balanced budget ($0.00 net deficit) across operating and capital expenses combined.
- Revenue increased by $714,000, or 5.7% (from $12,500,500 in FY2026 to $13,214,500 in Draft 2b):
- (change) Property Taxes, +$604,900 or +5.0%: Increases the property tax levy assumption from 4.0% to 5.0% ($12,583,900), generating $123,900 more than Draft 2a. For illustrative purposes, if all factors were equal, a 5.0% levy increase translates to approximately +$25.88 per household annually (from $512.51 to $538.39 per Oak Park household).
- Operating expenses increased by $389,000, or 3.1% (from $12,500,500 in FY2026 to $12,889,500 in Draft 2b, down $61,000 from Draft 2a):
- (change) Wages & Salaries, +$246,000 or +3.5%: Reduced by $30,000 from Draft 2a (from $7,286,000 to $7,256,000) by removing the proposed Public Safety position expansion (+20 hr/wk) and additional Book Bike Assistant (+8 wks).
- (change) Employee Health Benefits, +$233,000 or +17.1%: Reduced by $28,000 from Draft 2a (from $1,625,000 to $1,597,000), reflecting the removal of the Public Safety position expansion.
- (change) IMRF & FICA/Medicare, -$3,000 combined: Adjusted downward ($1,000 IMRF reduction; $2,000 FICA reduction) to match lower Wages & Salaries.
- Capital expenses are reduced to $325,000 (down $50,000 from Draft 2a’s $375,000):
- (change) Building Improvements, -$340,000 or -59.1%: Reduced by $50,000 from Draft 2a (from $285,000 to $235,000) by deferring the $50,000 Dole Branch painting project.
- Overall Net Surplus/(Deficit) is $0.00, achieving a fully balanced overall budget where the $325,000 operating surplus completely covers $325,000 in planned capital expenditures.
Summary Comparison Table
| Metric | FY2026 Budget | FY2027 Budget Draft 1 | FY2027 Budget Draft 2a | FY2027 Budget Draft 2b |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Property Tax Levy Increase | 5.0% | 4.0% | 4.0% | 5.0% |
| Per Household Annual Change | — | +$20.58 ($533.09) | +$20.58 ($533.09) | +$25.88 ($538.39) |
| Total Revenue | 12,500,500 | 13,088,800 | 13,090,600 | 13,214,500 |
| Total Operating Expenses | 12,500,500 | 12,976,000 | 12,950,500 | 12,889,500 |
| Operating Net Surplus/ (Deficit) | 0 | 112,800 | 140,100 | 325,000 |
| Total Capital Expenses | 720,000 | 385,000 | 375,000 | 325,000 |
| Overall Net Surplus/(Deficit) | (720,000) | (272,200) | (234,900) | 0 |
Recommendation
Library staff recommend that the Board of Library Trustees review and discuss Draft 2a and Draft 2b in relation to their support of the library’s mission, vision, values, strategic priorities, and tax levy considerations. Staff then request specific feedback and direction so a finalized Draft 3 and tax levy resolution can be prepared for Board approval at the regular meeting in October.
DRAFT 2–FY2027 Budget
DRAFT 2–FY2027 Budget: Draft 2a (web version, below | PDF version)
Oak Park Public Library DRAFT 2a – FY2027 Budget
Revenue
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Property Taxes, for operating | 11,979,000 | 11,979,000 | 12,460,000 | 4.0% | 95.18% |
| Corp. Property Replacement Tax | 195,000 | 185,651 | 200,000 | 2.6% | 1.53% |
| Service changes and fees | 0 | 171 | 0 | 0.0% | 0.00% |
| Lost Books Reimbursed/Reciprocal Borrowing | 13,000 | 12,044 | 12,000 | -7.7% | 0.09% |
| Sales | 0 | 187 | 6,000 | N/A | 0.05% |
| Rentals-Library Space | 0 | 1,259 | 0 | 0.0% | 0.00% |
| Parking lot revenue | 31,200 | 31,259 | 32,000 | 2.6% | 0.24% |
| Interest | 223,000 | 152,331 | 230,000 | 3.1% | 1.76% |
| Per Capita Grant | 0 | 92,791 | 92,800 | N/A | 0.71% |
| Gifts | 0 | 280 | 0 | 0.0% | 0.00% |
| Gifts From FOPPL | 25,000 | 23,378 | 25,000 | 0.0% | 0.19% |
| Grants | 0 | 106,054 | 0 | 0.0% | 0.00% |
| Community Fund Endowments | 23,000 | 25,867 | 27,400 | 8.3% | 0.21% |
| Miscellaneous Income | 9,000 | 7,903 | 5,400 | -40.0% | 0.04% |
| TOTAL REVENUE | 12,500,500 | 12,618,175 | 13,090,600 | 4.7% | 100.00% |
Expenses – Operating
People
Compensation
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wages & Salaries | 7,010,000 | 6,853,850 | 7,286,000 | 3.9% | 56.26% |
| Employee Health Benefits | 1,364,000 | 1,425,751 | 1,625,000 | 19.1% | 12.55% |
| IMRF (Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund) | 273,000 | 254,690 | 208,000 | -23.8% | 1.61% |
| FICA/MEDICARE | 517,000 | 503,131 | 537,000 | 3.9% | 4.15% |
| Workers Compensation Insurance | 17,500 | 18,854 | 20,000 | 14.3% | 0.15% |
| Unemployment Compensation Tax | 15,000 | 15,028 | 16,000 | 6.7% | 0.12% |
| Total Compensation | 9,196,500 | 9,071,304 | 9,692,000 | 5.4% | 74.84% |
Talent Development
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dues | 19,000 | 19,627 | 21,000 | 10.5% | 0.16% |
| Staff Development/Travel | 107,850 | 100,106 | 107,850 | 0.0% | 0.83% |
| Tuition Reimbursement | 27,000 | 11,448 | 21,000 | -22.2% | 0.16% |
| Hiring | 3,500 | 1,360 | 3,000 | -14.3% | 0.02% |
| Board Development | 6,000 | 6,000 | 6,000 | 0.0% | 0.05% |
| Total Talent Development | 163,350 | 138,541 | 158,850 | -2.8% | 1.23% |
| TOTAL PEOPLE | 9,359,850 | 9,209,845 | 9,850,850 | 5.2% | 76.07% |
Support Services
Marketing
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotions | 13,000 | 13,000 | 16,550 | 27.3% | 0.13% |
| Publications | 37,000 | 36,001 | 37,000 | 0.0% | 0.29% |
| Total Marketing Support | 50,000 | 49,001 | 53,550 | 7.1% | 0.41% |
Store
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Merchandise | 250 | 0 | 4,000 | 0.0% | 0.03% |
| Fees and Services | 750 | 182 | 750 | 0.0% | 0.01% |
| Total Store Support | 1,000 | 182 | 4,750 | 375.0% | 0.04% |
Collections
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ILL Payments | 3,000 | 2,255 | 0 | -100.0% | 0.00% |
| Cataloging/Bib Search Fees | 3,000 | 2,500 | 0 | -100.0% | 0.00% |
| Total Collections Support | 6,000 | 4,755 | 0 | -100.0% | 0.00% |
Administration
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRIS and Payroll Processing Fees | 34,000 | 32,071 | 35,500 | 4.4% | 0.27% |
| Milegage & Miscellaneous reimbursement (non-conference) | 20,000 | 18,320 | 19,000 | -5.0% | 0.15% |
| Hospitality | 5,000 | 1,271 | 5,000 | 0.0% | 0.04% |
| Staff Appreciation/ Engagement | 12,000 | 12,000 | 12,000 | 0.0% | 0.09% |
| Audit Fees | 11,600 | 12,400 | 12,400 | 6.9% | 0.10% |
| Merchant Account Services | 1,200 | 1,152 | 1,200 | 0.0% | 0.01% |
| Consulting Services – Admin | 48,000 | 51,678 | 68,000 | 41.7% | 0.53% |
| Intergovernmental Agreements (IGA) | 25,900 | 23,936 | 25,400 | -1.9% | 0.20% |
| Legal Fees | 25,000 | 30,986 | 30,000 | 20.0% | 0.23% |
| Postage & Delivery | 18,500 | 15,575 | 18,000 | -2.7% | 0.14% |
| Insurance | 132,000 | 119,422 | 131,500 | -0.4% | 1.02% |
| Grant Expenses | 0 | 106,054 | 0 | 0.0% | 0.00% |
| Supplies | 90,000 | 97,755 | 98,000 | 8.9% | 0.76% |
| Total Administration Support | 423,200 | 522,620 | 475,000 | 7.8% | 3.52% |
Other Support Services
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telephone/ Communications | 60,000 | 48,318 | 53,000 | -11.7% | 0.41% |
| Office & Library Machinery Service | 14,000 | 13,898 | 8,500 | -39.3% | 0.07% |
| Total Other Support Services | 74,000 | 62,216 | 61,500 | -16.9% | 0.47% |
| TOTAL SUPPORT SERVICES | 554,200 | 638,774 | 575,800 | 3.9% | 4.45% |
Equity and Anti-Racism
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Programs, Learning & Engagement | 20,000 | 20,000 | 34,000 | 70.0% | 0.26% |
| Affinity Groups | 2,000 | 2,000 | 3,000 | 50.0% | 0.02% |
| Community Engagement | 14,000 | 14,000 | 0 | -100.0% | 0.00% |
| TOTAL EQUITY AND ANTI-RACISM | 36,000 | 36,000 | 37,000 | 2.8% | 0.29% |
Library Materials
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Print Materials | 388,000 | 384,117 | 396,000 | 2.1% | 0.15% |
| Audio and video materials | 96,500 | 92,479 | 94,000 | -2.6% | 0.73% |
| Digital content (external) | 665,700 | 657,804 | 669,000 | 0.5% | 5.17% |
| Devices | 26,000 | 20,858 | 25,000 | -3.8% | 0.19% |
| Realia and other formats | 10,500 | 10,020 | 10,000 | -4.8% | 0.08% |
| Archival collection | 20,000 | 18,850 | 20,000 | 0.0% | 0.15% |
| TOTAL LIBRARY MATERIALS | 1,206,700 | 1,184,128 | 1,214,000 | 0.6% | 9.37% |
Facilities Management
Facility Supplies
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuels & Lubricants | 2,000 | 1,825 | 2,000 | 0.0% | 0.02% |
| Building Materials & Supplies | 12,000 | 8,934 | 12,000 | 0.0% | 0.09% |
| Equipment Parts | 12,000 | 11,410 | 12,000 | 0.0% | 0.09% |
| Cleaning & Housekeeping Supplies | 9,000 | 8,972 | 9,000 | 0.0% | 0.07% |
| Signage | 4,000 | 3,992 | 5,700 | 42.5% | 0.04% |
| TOTAL FACILITY SUPPLIES | 39,000 | 35,133 | 40,700 | 4.4% | 0.31% |
Facilities Services
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and snow removal services | 25,750 | 19,112 | 27,500 | 6.8% | 0.21% |
| Custodial Services | 236,000 | 223,138 | 235,000 | -0.4% | 1.81% |
| Water | 12,250 | 12,232 | 12,850 | 4.9% | 0.10% |
| Sewer/Garbage | 14,000 | 13,989 | 14,750 | 5.4% | 0.11% |
| Parking lot expense | 10,750 | 10,742 | 11,150 | 3.7% | 0.09% |
| Natural Gas | 90,000 | 69,508 | 75,000 | -16.7% | 0.58% |
| Rentals-Equipment & Facilities | 25,000 | 19,440 | 25,000 | 0.0% | 0.19% |
| Repair & Maintenance Prop. & Equip. | 254,000 | 254,182 | 252,000 | -0.8% | 1.95% |
| Total Facilities Services | 667,750 | 622,343 | 653,250 | 2.2% | 5.04% |
| TOTAL FACILITIES MANAGEMENT | 706,750 | 657,476 | 693,950 | -1.8% | 5.36% |
Public Services
Programming
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children’s Programming | 28,000 | 19,643 | 28,000 | 0.0% | 0.22% |
| Young Adult Programming | 26,000 | 20,968 | 27,000 | 3.8% | 0.21% |
| Adult Programming | 35,000 | 31,009 | 33,000 | -5.7% | 0.25% |
| Social Services | 10,000 | 5,000 | 10,000 | 0.0% | 0.08% |
| Creative Studio | 11,000 | 10,422 | 15,000 | 36.4% | 0.12% |
| Patron Services Programming | 3,000 | 2,932 | 2,000 | -33.3% | 0.02% |
| Total Programming | 113,000 | 89,974 | 115,000 | 1.8% | 0.89% |
Digital Services
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consultant Support Services | 65,000 | 47,925 | 65,000 | 0.0% | 0.50% |
| SWAN | 111,000 | 101,498 | 106,900 | -3.7% | 0.83% |
| Subscriptions and services (internal) | 323,000 | 300,000 | 267,000 | -17.3% | 2.06% |
| Equipment and supplies | 25,000 | 11,534 | 25,000 | 0.0% | 0.19% |
| Total Digital Services | 524,000 | 460,957 | 463,900 | -11.5% | 3.58% |
| TOTAL PUBLIC SERVICES | 637,000 | 550,931 | 578,900 | -9.1% | 4.47% |
| TOTAL EXPENSES – Operating | 12,500,500 | 12,168,228 | 12,950,500 | 3.6% | 100.00% |
Expenses – Capital
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facilities Equipment | 10,000 | 9,028 | 10,000 | 0.0% | 2.60% |
| Furnishings | 75,000 | 50,906 | 25,000 | -66.7% | 6.49% |
| Technology Projects and Equipment | 60,000 | 26,365 | 55,000 | -8.3% | 16.88% |
| Building Improvements | 575,000 | 534,047 | 285,000 | -50.4% | 74.03% |
| Total Expenses – Capital | 750,000 | 620,346 | 375,000 | -47.9% | 100.00% |
| TOTAL BUDGET EXPENDITURES | 13,220,500 | 12,897,500 | 13,325,500 | 0.8% | |
| NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) OPERATING | 0 | 341,021 | 140,100 | 0.0% | |
| NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) OPERATING & CAPITAL | (720,000) | (279,325) | (234,900) | -67.4% |
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State method: (Prop Taxes/Population)*Avg Persons per Household | 512.51 | 533.09 | 4.0% |
Population estimate: 52,823
Average persons per household: 2.26
Oak Park Public Library DRAFT 2b – FY2027 Budget
DRAFT 2–FY2027 Budget: Draft 2b (web version, below | PDF version)
Revenue
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Property Taxes, for operating | 11,979,000 | 11,979,000 | 12,583,900 | 5.0% | 95.23% |
| Corp. Property Replacement Tax | 195,000 | 185,651 | 200,000 | 2.6% | 1.51% |
| Service changes and fees | 0 | 171 | 0 | 0.0% | 0.00% |
| Lost Books Reimbursed/Reciprocal Borrowing | 13,000 | 12,044 | 12,000 | -7.7% | 0.09% |
| Sales | 0 | 187 | 6,000 | N/A | 0.05% |
| Rentals-Library Space | 0 | 1,259 | 0 | 0.0% | 0.00% |
| Parking lot revenue | 31,200 | 31,259 | 32,000 | 2.6% | 0.24% |
| Interest | 223,000 | 152,331 | 230,000 | 3.1% | 1.76% |
| Per Capita Grant | 0 | 92,791 | 92,800 | N/A | 0.71% |
| Gifts | 0 | 280 | 0 | 0.0% | 0.00% |
| Gifts From FOPPL | 25,000 | 23,378 | 25,000 | 0.0% | 0.19% |
| Grants | 0 | 106,054 | 0 | 0.0% | 0.00% |
| Community Fund Endowments | 23,000 | 25,867 | 27,400 | 8.3% | 0.21% |
| Miscellaneous Income | 9,000 | 7,903 | 5,400 | -40.0% | 0.04% |
| TOTAL REVENUE | 12,500,500 | 12,618,175 | 13,214,500 | 5.7% | 100.00% |
Expenses – Operating
People
Compensation
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wages & Salaries | 7,010,000 | 6,853,850 | 7,256,000 | 3.5% | 56.29% |
| Employee Health Benefits | 1,364,000 | 1,425,751 | 1,597,000 | 17.1% | 12.39% |
| IMRF (Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund) | 273,000 | 254,690 | 207,000 | -24.2% | 1.61% |
| FICA/MEDICARE | 517,000 | 503,131 | 535,000 | 3.5% | 4.15% |
| Workers Compensation Insurance | 17,500 | 18,854 | 20,000 | 14.3% | 0.16% |
| Unemployment Compensation Tax | 15,000 | 15,028 | 16,000 | 6.7% | 0.12% |
| Total Compensation | 9,196,500 | 9,071,304 | 9,631,000 | 4.7% | 74.72% |
Talent Development
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dues | 19,000 | 19,627 | 21,000 | 10.5% | 0.16% |
| Staff Development/Travel | 107,850 | 100,106 | 107,850 | 0.0% | 0.84% |
| Tuition Reimbursement | 27,000 | 11,448 | 21,000 | -22.2% | 0.16% |
| Hiring | 3,500 | 1,360 | 3,000 | -14.3% | 0.02% |
| Board Development | 6,000 | 6,000 | 6,000 | 0.0% | 0.05% |
| Total Talent Development | 163,350 | 138,541 | 158,850 | -2.8% | 1.23% |
| TOTAL PEOPLE | 9,359,850 | 9,209,845 | 9,789,850 | 4.6% | 76.95% |
Support Services
Marketing
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotions | 13,000 | 13,000 | 16,550 | 27.3% | 0.13% |
| Publications | 37,000 | 36,001 | 37,000 | 0.0% | 0.29% |
| Total Marketing Support | 50,000 | 49,001 | 53,550 | 7.1% | 0.42% |
Store
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Merchandise | 250 | 0 | 4,000 | 0.0% | 0.03% |
| Fees and Services | 750 | 182 | 750 | 0.0% | 0.01% |
| Total Store Support | 1,000 | 182 | 4,750 | 375.0% | 0.04% |
Collections
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ILL Payments | 3,000 | 2,255 | 0 | -100.0% | 0.00% |
| Cataloging/Bib Search Fees | 3,000 | 2,500 | 0 | -100.0% | 0.00% |
| Total Collections Support | 6,000 | 4,755 | 0 | -100.0% | 0.00% |
Administration
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRIS and Payroll Processing Fees | 34,000 | 32,071 | 35,500 | 4.4% | 0.28% |
| Milegage & Miscellaneous reimbursement (non-conference) | 20,000 | 18,320 | 19,000 | -5.0% | 0.15% |
| Hospitality | 5,000 | 1,271 | 5,000 | 0.0% | 0.04% |
| Staff Appreciation/ Engagement | 12,000 | 12,000 | 12,000 | 0.0% | 0.09% |
| Audit Fees | 11,600 | 12,400 | 12,400 | 6.9% | 0.10% |
| Merchant Account Services | 1,200 | 1,152 | 1,200 | 0.0% | 0.01% |
| Consulting Services – Admin | 48,000 | 51,678 | 68,000 | 41.7% | 0.53% |
| Intergovernmental Agreements (IGA) | 25,900 | 23,936 | 25,400 | -1.9% | 0.20% |
| Legal Fees | 25,000 | 30,986 | 30,000 | 20.0% | 0.23% |
| Postage & Delivery | 18,500 | 15,575 | 18,000 | -2.7% | 0.14% |
| Insurance | 132,000 | 119,422 | 131,500 | -0.4% | 1.02% |
| Grant Expenses | 0 | 106,054 | 0 | 0.0% | 0.00% |
| Supplies | 90,000 | 97,755 | 98,000 | 8.9% | 0.76% |
| Total Administration Support | 423,200 | 522,620 | 475,000 | 7.8% | 3.54% |
Other Support Services
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telephone/ Communications | 60,000 | 48,318 | 53,000 | -11.7% | 0.41% |
| Office & Library Machinery Service | 14,000 | 13,898 | 8,500 | -39.3% | 0.07% |
| Total Other Support Services | 74,000 | 62,216 | 61,500 | -16.9% | 0.48% |
| TOTAL SUPPORT SERVICES | 554,200 | 638,774 | 575,800 | 3.9% | 4.47% |
Equity and Anti-Racism
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Programs, Learning & Engagement | 20,000 | 20,000 | 34,000 | 70.0% | 0.26% |
| Affinity Groups | 2,000 | 2,000 | 3,000 | 50.0% | 0.02% |
| Community Engagement | 14,000 | 14,000 | 0 | -100.0% | 0.00% |
| TOTAL EQUITY AND ANTI-RACISM | 36,000 | 36,000 | 37,000 | 2.8% | 0.29% |
Library Materials
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Print Materials | 388,000 | 384,117 | 396,000 | 2.1% | 3.07% |
| Audio and video materials | 96,500 | 92,479 | 94,000 | -2.6% | 0.73% |
| Digital content (external) | 665,700 | 657,804 | 669,000 | 0.5% | 5.19% |
| Devices | 26,000 | 20,858 | 25,000 | -3.8% | 0.19% |
| Realia and other formats | 10,500 | 10,020 | 10,000 | -4.8% | 0.08% |
| Archival collection | 20,000 | 18,850 | 20,000 | 0.0% | 0.16% |
| TOTAL LIBRARY MATERIALS | 1,206,700 | 1,184,128 | 1,214,000 | 0.6% | 9.42% |
Facilities Management
Facility Supplies
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuels & Lubricants | 2,000 | 1,825 | 2,000 | 0.0% | 0.02% |
| Building Materials & Supplies | 12,000 | 8,934 | 12,000 | 0.0% | 0.09% |
| Equipment Parts | 12,000 | 11,410 | 12,000 | 0.0% | 0.09% |
| Cleaning & Housekeeping Supplies | 9,000 | 8,972 | 9,000 | 0.0% | 0.07% |
| Signage | 4,000 | 3,992 | 5,700 | 42.5% | 0.04% |
| TOTAL FACILITY SUPPLIES | 39,000 | 35,133 | 40,700 | 4.4% | 0.32% |
Facilities Services
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landscaping and snow removal services | 25,750 | 19,112 | 27,500 | 6.8% | 0.21% |
| Custodial Services | 236,000 | 223,138 | 235,000 | -0.4% | 1.82% |
| Water | 12,250 | 12,232 | 12,850 | 4.9% | 0.10% |
| Sewer/Garbage | 14,000 | 13,989 | 14,750 | 5.4% | 0.11% |
| Parking lot expense | 10,750 | 10,742 | 11,150 | 3.7% | 0.09% |
| Natural Gas | 90,000 | 69,508 | 75,000 | -16.7% | 0.58% |
| Rentals-Equipment & Facilities | 25,000 | 19,440 | 25,000 | 0.0% | 0.19% |
| Repair & Maintenance Prop. & Equip. | 254,000 | 254,182 | 252,000 | -0.8% | 1.96% |
| Total Facilities Services | 667,750 | 622,343 | 653,250 | -2.2% | 5.07% |
| TOTAL FACILITIES MANAGEMENT | 706,750 | 657,476 | 693,950 | -1.8% | 5.38% |
Public Services
Programming
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children’s Programming | 28,000 | 19,643 | 28,000 | 0.0% | 0.22% |
| Young Adult Programming | 26,000 | 20,968 | 27,000 | 3.8% | 0.21% |
| Adult Programming | 35,000 | 31,009 | 33,000 | -5.7% | 0.26% |
| Social Services | 10,000 | 5,000 | 10,000 | 0.0% | 0.08% |
| Creative Studio | 11,000 | 10,422 | 15,000 | 36.4% | 0.12% |
| Patron Services Programming | 3,000 | 2,932 | 2,000 | -33.3% | 0.02% |
| Total Programming | 113,000 | 89,974 | 115,000 | 1.8% | 0.89% |
Digital Services
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consultant Support Services | 65,000 | 47,925 | 65,000 | 0.0% | 0.50% |
| SWAN | 111,000 | 101,498 | 106,900 | -3.7% | 0.83% |
| Subscriptions and services (internal) | 323,000 | 300,000 | 267,000 | -17.3% | 2.06% |
| Equipment and supplies | 25,000 | 11,534 | 25,000 | 0.0% | 0.19% |
| Total Digital Services | 524,000 | 460,957 | 463,900 | -11.5% | 3.60% |
| TOTAL PUBLIC SERVICES | 637,000 | 550,931 | 578,900 | -9.1% | 4.49% |
| TOTAL EXPENSES – Operating | 12,500,500 | 12,277,154 | 12,889,500 | 3.1% | 100.00% |
Expenses – Capital
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance | Percent of FY27 Revenue/Expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facilities Equipment | 10,000 | 9,028 | 10,000 | 0.0% | 3.08% |
| Furnishings | 75,000 | 50,906 | 25,000 | -66.7% | 7.69% |
| Technology Projects and Equipment | 60,000 | 26,365 | 55,000 | -8.3% | 16.92% |
| Building Improvements | 575,000 | 534,047 | 235,000 | -59.1% | 72.31% |
| Total Expenses – Capital | 720,000 | 620,346 | 325,000 | -54.9% | 100.00% |
| TOTAL BUDGET EXPENDITURES | 13,220,500 | 12,897,500 | 13,214,500 | 0.0% | |
| NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) OPERATING | 0 | 341,021 | 325,000 | N/A | |
| NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) OPERATING & CAPITAL | (720,000) | (279,325) | 0 | -100.0% |
| Category | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2027 Budget | FY26-FY27 Budget Variance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State method: (Prop Taxes/Population)*Avg Persons per Household | 512.51 | 538.39 | 5.0% |
Population estimate: 52,823
Average persons per household: 2.26
Board Memo – Reviewing the Fund Balance
To: Board of Library Trustees
From: Billy Treece, Director of Finance & HR
Date: September 16, 2026
Subject: Reviewing the Fund Balance in Relation to Drafts 2a & 2b of the FY2027 Budget
| Metric | FY2026 Budget | FY2026 Projection | FY2026 Budget Draft 2a | FY2026 Budget Draft 2b |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimated Year-End Unassigned Fund Balance | $7,288,244 | $7,658,399 | $7,423,499 | $7,658,399 |
| Budgeted Operating Expenditures* | $12,500,500 | $12,500,500 | $12,950,500 | $12,889,500 |
| Estimated Year-End Unassigned Fund Balance Percentage | 58.3% | 61.3% | 57.3% | 59.4% |
*Qualifying operating expenditures per Fund Balance policy (excluding capital expenses)
Unassigned Fund Balance & Policy Compliance
Per the Fund Balance policy revised earlier this year, the library maintains an unassigned General Fund balance target between 50% and 75% of annual operating expenditures (excluding any bond debt payments and one-time capital items). Because the library does not maintain a separate Working Cash Fund, this reserve serves as our primary buffer to fund library operations before tax collections are received and when property tax collections and disbursements are delayed.
For FY2026, the original budget projected a year-end unassigned balance of $7,288,244 (58.3% of operating expenses). Based on year-to-date performance through August, our updated FY2026 projection estimates an updated year-end balance of $7,658,399 (61.3%), maintaining strong compliance within our target range.
In response to the Board’s request to model two options for the FY2027 Budget, both proposed drafts remain compliant with our 50% to 75% policy range:
- Draft 2a: Projects a year-end unassigned balance of $7,423,499 against $12,950,500 in operating expenditures, resulting in a 57.3% reserve ratio.
- Draft 2b: Reflects targeted expenditure reductions ($12,889,500 total operating), preserving $7,658,399 in year-end reserves for a 59.4% reserve ratio.
Both options should ensure operational continuity and bridge the timing and delays in Cook County tax collection and disbursement without requiring short-term borrowing. Driven by a 5% rather than 4% property tax levy increase, Draft 2b preserves approximately $235,000 in additional funds heading into FY2028, offering slightly enhanced flexibility for upcoming capital needs.
Important Planning Assumptions
Please note that all figures presented in this review are forward-looking estimates based on current year-to-date trends and budget projections. The FY2026 projections assume that Cook County will distribute second-installment property tax revenues to the library prior to December 31, 2026. While a delay in tax disbursements would temporarily alter cash timing at year-end, it would shift revenue into early FY2027 without impacting the library’s long-term financial health or overall policy compliance.