The next regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for Monday, August 27, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Carnegie Library.
Draft Minutes from the July 23, 2026 Board meeting:
Meeting of the Board of Trustees
July 23, 2026, 6:15 p.m., Washington Park Library
M I N U T E S
The Board of Trustees of the St. Joseph Public Library met on July 23, 2026 at 6:15 p.m. at Washington Park Library. Trustees in attendance were Rosetta Ballew-Jennings, Kathie Brunner, Kate Davison, Harriet Gordon, Kyla Ward, and LaTonya Williams (via Zoom). Bobbie Cronk and Jonht Slayden were absent. Library staff in attendance were Katie Green, Karen Schultz, and Mary Beth Revels.
Kyla Ward called the meeting to order and the roll call was taken.
Upon review of the June 29, 2026 meeting minutes, LaTonya Williams moved and Kathie Brunner seconded that the June 29, 2026 minutes be approved as written. All Trustees in attendance voted “yes”. Motion carried.
Under the Report of the Treasurer, Rosetta Ballew-Jennings moved and Kate Davison seconded to approve checks #36214 through #36251, June electronic withdrawals, direct deposits, and journal entries. All Trustees in attendance voted “yes,” and the motion carried.
Mary Beth Revels presented the June Financial Reports, reporting that the library ended the fiscal year with a surplus of revenue over expenses. Rosetta Ballew-Jennings moved and Harriet Gordon seconded to accept pages 10-34 of the financial reports as presented. All Trustees in attendance voted “yes,” and the motion carried.
Next, Mary Beth Revels requested to move half of the 25-26 fiscal year surplus, or $81,801, to SJPL’s T-Bill with US Bank that matures 9/8/2026. Kate Davison moved and Harriet Gordon seconded to add $81,801 to the T-Bill, as requested. All Trustees in attendance voted “yes,” and the motion carried.
Under Reports of Committees, Rosetta Ballew-Jennings spoke for the Nominating Committee, presenting the Slate of Officers for the 2026-2027 fiscal year as follows:
Rosetta Ballew-Jennings – President
Harriet Gordon – Vice President
Kathie Brunner – Treasurer
LaTonya Williams – Secretary
There were no nominations from the floor. Kathie Brunner moved and Harriet Gordon seconded to accept the Slate of Officers as presented. All Trustees in attendance voted “yes,” and the motion carried.
Next, Harriet Gorden summarized bids for the Washington Park front steps project and presented the Building Committee’s recommendation. LaTonya Williams moved and Kyla Ward seconded to accept the bid from 5-Point Masonry, LLC. All Trustees in attendance voted “yes,” and the motion carried.
Under Old Business, Mary Beth Revels presented the Library Projects Overview. The main area of concern is HVAC issues, but progress is being made. Mary Beth also reported that GKW Restoration added more grit to the front porch at the Downtown Library, correcting the slick surface concerns.
There was no other Old Business.
In New Business, Mary Beth Revels asked the Board to appoint two Trustees to the SJPL Foundation Board. Harriet Gordon and Kate Davison volunteered to serve. LaTonya Williams moved and Rosetta Ballew-Jennings seconded to appoint Harriet Gordon and Kate Davison to the Foundation Board. All members in attendance voted “yes,” and the motion carried.
Next, Karen Schultz updated the Trustees on her use of funds gifted by the Carnegie Corporation including new interior paint, furniture, and educational toys. She later provided a tour of the lower level to show off the improvements.
There was no other New Business.
Under the Report of the Director, Mary Beth Revels shared that current enrollment numbers for the Summer Reading Program have exceeded last year’s total enrollment figure. She also talked about the success of the Dinocard program spearheaded by staff member Sara Whitten. She also let the Board know of a new staff exchange programs for Spanish speaking patrons at each branch to have access to bilingual staff member, Erika Martinez Trejo. Finally, she reported that circulation of library materials increased overall as compared to the previous fiscal year.
There was no further Board discussion and no public comment.
The next meeting will be Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 6:00 p.m., at Carnegie Library.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by consensus.
LaTonya Williams
Secretary