The next regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Washington Park Library.
Minutes from the December 18, 2025 Board meeting:
Meeting of the Board of Trustees
December 18, 2025, 6:00 p.m., Downtown Library
M I N U T E S
The Board of Trustees of the St. Joseph Public Library met on December 18, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the Downtown Library. Trustees in attendance were Rosetta Ballew-Jennings, Kathie Brunner, Bobbie Cronk, Kate Davison, Harriet Gordon, Kyla Ward, and LaTonya Williams (via Zoom). Heidi DeSchepper and Jonht Slayden were absent. Library staff attending were Mary Beth Revels, Paula Hayward, Evelyn Holzclaw, Erika Martinez Trejo, and Katie Green.
Kyla Ward called the meeting to order, attendance was taken, and Mary Beth Revels introduced Downtown Library staff in attendance.
Upon review of the November 20, 2025 meeting minutes, Bobbie Cronk moved and Rosetta Ballew-Jennings seconded that the November 2025 minutes be approved as written. All Trustees in attendance voted “yes”. Motion carried.
Under the Report of the Treasurer, Rosetta Ballew-Jennings moved and Harriet Gordon seconded to approve checks #35858 through #35899, November electronic withdrawals, direct deposits, and journal entries. Six Trustees in attendance voted “yes,” one voted “no,” and the motion carried.
Bobbie Cronk presented the November Financial Reports. She and Mary Beth Revels met with accountant Tim Gawatz to discuss the reports and there were no concerns to report. Kyla Ward moved and Rosetta Ballew-Jennings seconded to accept pages 8-23 of the financial report as presented. All Trustees in attendance voted “yes,” and the motion carried.
There were no Committee Reports.
Under Old Business, a draft Purchasing and Procurement Policy was presented and discussed. Edits will be made and it will be presented for approval at the January meeting.
There was no other Old Business.
In New Business, Mary Beth Revels presented bids for replacing the halogen column lights at the East Hills Library with LED lighting. Discussion ensued. Bobbie Cronk moved and Rosetta Ballew-Jennings seconded to award the bid to Miljavac Electric. Six Trustees in attendance voted “yes,” one voted “no,” and the motion carried.
Next, Mary Beth Revels presented bids and staff recommendations for moving forward with patron-driven printing/scanning/copying at the four library locations. Staff’s recommended solution will require new public photocopiers to be purchased for the Downtown and East Hills libraries. Two tablets also will need to be purchased to interface with the existing photocopiers at the Carnegie and Washington Park libraries. Kyla Ward moved and Harriet Gordon seconded to contract with Princh for self-service printing/scanning/copying software and to purchase two photocopiers from Imaging Concepts. All Trustees in attendance voted “yes” and the motion passed.
The Board then heard from Evelyn Holtzclaw, Senior Library Assistant and Teen Services Librarian at the Downtown Library. Evelyn discussed her initiative to organize local high school juniors and seniors in June and July 2026 to meet as Future Leaders of St. Joe. The group will be touring local businesses and hearing from local leaders for two hours weekly during the summer. She requested volunteers from the Board of Trustees to chaperone with positive results.
There was no other New Business.
Under the Report of the Director, Mary Beth Revels highlighted the completion of the murals in the Children’s Library Downtown, announced that our Excel High School Graduate numbers increased by three last month, noted the successful turnout at this year’s free family photo sessions, and thanked the Board for allowing the library to close for Staff Day.
There was no Board discussion or public comment.
The next meeting will be January 22, 2026 at 6:00 p.m., at East Hills Library.
There being no further business, Kathie Brunner moved and Bobbie Cronk seconded to adjourn the meeting. All Trustees in attendance voted “yes.” Motion carried.
Harriet Gordon
Secretary