Skip to main content

Bethalto Public Library

February 12, 2026 - Board Minutes

Bethalto Public Library District

Board Meeting

February 12, 2026

 

The meeting was called to order by Andrea Kramer.

  • Present:               Stephanie Allshouse, Pamela Collman, Andrea Kramer, Kristy Walker
  • Absent:                Elizabeth Newton, Patricia Stemmley
  • Also present:     Mary Brewster – Library Director

 

Motion 1:    It was moved by Collman and seconded by Allshouse that the minutes of the meeting of January 8, 2026 be approved as written.

  • Ayes:      Allshouse, Collman, Kramer, Walker
  • Nays:      none
  • Absent:  Newton, Stemmley

       

Motion 2:    It was moved by Walker and seconded by Kramer that bills in the amount of $42,171.76 be paid.

  • Ayes:      Allshouse, Collman, Kramer, Walker
  • Nays:      none
  • Absent:  Newton, Stemmley

 

REPORTS

     The Financial report was presented by Pam Collman, Treasurer.  

     The Librarian’s report was presented by Mary Brewster, Director. (See File)

                               

COMMUNICATIONS

     Invitation from Bethalto Jaycees to be a vendor – board decided no

     Invitation from Bethalto Spirit to participate in Christmas parade – board supports this

    

COMMITTEES

     

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

NEW BUSINESS

     Move $262,000 from Associated Bank to Illinois Funds.

     

Motion 3:    It was moved by Walker and seconded by Collman to close the library on April 10, 2026 and send staff members to Reaching Forward South Conference at $84 per person.

  • Ayes:      Allshouse, Collman, Kramer, Walker
  • Nays:      none
  • Absent:  Newton, Stemmley

 

Motion 4:    It was moved by Collman and seconded by Walker have electrical installation work in library building’s old basement done by GRP|Wegman.

  • Ayes:      Allshouse, Collman, Kramer, Walker
  • Nays:      none
  • Absent:  Newton, Stemmley

 

Motion 5:    It was moved by Kramer and seconded by Allshouse to adopt the Programming Policy.

  • Ayes:      Allshouse, Collman, Kramer, Walker
  • Nays:      none
  • Absent:  Newton, Stemmley

 

Motion 6:    It was moved by Kramer to adjourn the meeting at 9:00pm.

 

 

 

DIRECTOR’S REPORT – for February 12, 2026 Board Meeting

Communications (see enclosed pages)

  • From Bethalto Jaycees – Invitation to be a vendor at the Bethalto Jaycee Country Fair.
  • From Bethalto Spirit – Invitation to participate in their Christmas Parade during the first weekend of the Bethalto Christmas Village.
  • From Illinois Library Association (ILA) – Webinar offerings for Library Trustees this Spring

 

Director’s Report

  1. Submitted the FY2026 Illinois Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants application. This application used the new Illinois Public Library Standards adopted by the Illinois Library Association. For each of the twelve topics, we needed to summarize strategies to meet or show progress towards meeting the core standards. Copies of this application are being made available to all board members.
  2. New Year, New Read reading challenge currently happening. We will be offering different, short-term reading challenges throughout the year in 2026.
  3. AARP Tax Preparation volunteers will be here on Wednesdays from February 4th to April 8th . Already, 90% of the appointment slots have been filled. Library staff are doing a wonderful job of helping patrons with this service.
  4. Consider using the Reaching Forward South Conference as the Spring Staff Training Day. This would mean closing the library this day so that all available staff may attend.
    • Friday, April 10, 2026 in O’Fallon, IL
    • $84 per person (group registration before March 9th)
    • Lunch is included
    • Five sessions plus a guest speaker during lunch
    • Offers networking with area libraries staff as well as information and training
  5. Both the intrusion system (burglar alarm system) and the video surveillance system are older and becoming outdated. I spoke to a representative from Johnson Controls Security Solutions about updating these two systems and received a quote.

 

Programming Report (for January 2026)

Book Clubs

The OG Book Club – 6 attendees

Thrills and Chills Book Club – 7 attendees

Just Another Book Club – 9 attendees

Outreach

Villa Rose library day – 11

Zion Lutheran School – Amy visited the Young Author’s Workshop, read and did an activity with  30 students

Preschool Story times:

1/6- 10 am- 0 attendees; 1 pm- 5 kids, 5 adults

1/13- (Amy was sick this day, but Clerks set out the crafts for families to enjoy) 10 am- 13 attendees; 1 pm- 8 attendees

1/20- 10 am-1 kid, 1 adult; 1 pm- 7 kids, 6 adults

1/27- 10 am- 1 kid, 1 adult; 1 pm- 0 attendees (this was a snowy, e-learning day for the schools)

Baby/Toddler Playtimes:

1/1- Library Closed

1/8- 7 kids and 7 adults

1/15- 1 kid, 1 adult

1/22- 1 kid, 1 adult

1/29- 0 attendees

Family Fun Thursdays (Amy usually only counts the kids who participate in the Thursday activities, not the adults who bring them)

1/1- Library Closed

1/8- Crafternoon- 10 attendees

1/15- Kids in the Kitchen- 14 attendees

1/22- Movie Day in the Kid’s Area- 10 attendees

1/29- Winter Lego Challenge- 4 attendees

Other Events

Family Binglow – 32 attendees

Read with Maui – 10 readers

Mindful Crafts drop in day for adult/teen – 12 attendees

Adult Bingo Night – 25 attendees

Illinois Libraries Present: Bringing History to Life with Jonathan Eig – 2 attendees (Virtual event)

Self Directed Activities

Scavenger hunt for Penguins – 25 kids

Patron poll: Would you rather see your favorite character die OR have the book end in a cliffhanger? – 67 votes