The next regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for Thursday, December 17, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the Downtown Library.
Minutes from the October 23, 2025 Board meeting:
Meeting of the Board of Trustees
October 23, 2025, 6:00 p.m., East Hills Library
M I N U T E S
The Board of Trustees of the St. Joseph Public Library met on October 23, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at East Hills Library. Trustees in attendance were Rosetta Ballew-Jennings, Kathie Brunner, Bobbie Cronk, Kate Davison, Heidi DeSchepper (via Zoom), Harriet Gordon, and Kyla Ward. Jonht Slayden and LaTonya Williams were absent. Library staff attending were Director Mary Beth Revels, East Hills Library Children’s Services Manager Misty Snider, and Administrative Assistant Katie Green.
Kyla Ward called the meeting to order, the roll call was taken, and introductions were made.
Upon review of the September 25, 2025 meeting minutes, Bobbie Cronk moved and Harriet Gordon seconded that the minutes be approved as written. Six Trustees in attendance voted “yes” and one abstained. Motion carried.
Under the Report of the Treasurer, Rosetta Ballew-Jennings moved and Kate Davison seconded to approve checks #35764 through #35805, September electronic withdrawals, direct deposits, and journal entries. Six Trustees in attendance voted “yes,” one voted “no,” and the motion carried. The Trustee who voted “no” stated that a procurement or purchasing policy needed to be approved before they would be comfortable voting on expenditures. Mary Beth Revels reported she has not finalized the policy draft yet but hopes to get it to the attorney in time for it to be voted on at the November meeting.
Bobbie Cronk presented the September Financial Reports. She and Mary Beth Revels previously met with the accountant to discuss the reports and there was nothing of concern to report. Heidi DeSchepper moved and Rosetta Ballew-Jennings seconded to accept pages 9-22 of the financial report as presented. All Trustees in attendance voted “yes” and the motion carried.
Mary Beth Revels reported that she confirmed with Hood & Associates that the 2024-2025 fiscal year audit will be completed and ready to vote on at the November meeting.
There were no Committee Reports.
Under Old Business, Mary Beth Revels presented the Library Projects Overview and reported that she and Katie Green have set up monthly meeting with Facilities Manager Anthony Prawitz. Mary Beth also discussed that she is working on some changes to the projects overview to include and report on Anthony’s list of projects.
There was no other Old Business.
In New Business, Mary Beth Revels presented updated SJPL Board Bylaws that were edited by attorney Mark Woodbury. During discussion an additional edit was suggested. Bobbie Cronk moved and Kathie Brunner seconded to approve “Board of Trustees of the St. Joseph Public Library Amended and Restated Bylaws” as discussed and amended. All Trustees in attendance voted “yes” and the motion carried.
Mary Beth Revels requested to table the update to “Confidentiality of Patron Records” policy because an SJPL staff member pointed out an issue with the policy that she is working with attorney Mark Woodbury to resolve.
Next an update to the “Suspension of Privileges for Health and Safety Reasons Policy” was presented and discussed. Harriet Gordon moved and Bobbie Cronk seconded to approve the edit to the “Suspension of Privileges for Health and Safety Reasons Policy” as presented. All Trustees in attendance voted “yes” and the motion carried.
Next, the Board heard from East Hills Library Children’s Services Manager Misty Snider. Misty shared a storytime success. One of her three weekly children’s programs has created a tight knit community among its regular attendees and call their group Friendsday Wednesday. Misty attributes the program’s success and high attendance to scheduling programs weekly, allowing patrons to make the library a part of a weekly routine with their children.
There was no other New Business.
Mary Beth presented the Director’s Report along with the SJPL Annual Report and Missouri Evergreen Consortium Annual Report. She happily announced that to celebrate the nation’s 250-year anniversary, the Carnegie Corporation of New York is granting Carnegie libraries that are still serving their communities $10,000 each in January 2026. Both the Carnegie Library and Washington Park Library should receive grants.
There was no other Board discussion or public comment.
The next meeting will be held November 20, 2025 at 6:00 p.m., at the Washington Park Library.
There being no further business, Rosetta Ballew-Jennings moved and Bobbie Cronk seconded to adjourn the meeting. All Trustees in attendance voted “yes.” Motion carried.
Harriet Gordon
Secretary