March 12, 2026 - Board Minutes
Bethalto Public Library District
Board Meeting
March 12, 2026
The meeting was called to order by Trish Stemmley.
Present: Stephanie Allshouse, Pamela Collman, Patricia Stemmley, Kristy Walker
Absent: Andrea Kramer, Elizabeth Newton
Also present: Mary Brewster – Library Director
Motion 1: It was moved by Allshouse and seconded by Collman that the minutes of the meeting of February 12, 2026 be approved as written.
Ayes: Allshouse, Collman, Stemmley, Walker
Nays: none
Absent: Kramer, Newton
Motion 2: It was moved by Collman and seconded by Stemmley that bills in the amount of $50,217.86 be paid.
Ayes: Allshouse, Collman, Stemmley, Walker
Nays: none
Absent: Kramer, Newton
REPORTS
The Financial report was presented by Pam Collman, Treasurer.
The Librarian’s report was presented by Mary Brewster, Director. (See File)
COMMUNICATIONS
COMMITTEES
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
The board accepted the resignation of Trustee Elizabeth Newton, effective immediately.
Motion 3: It was moved by Collman and seconded by Stemmley to appoint Ryan Tite and Elijah Pettit to fill the vacant Trustee positions.
Ayes: Allshouse, Collman, Stemmley, Walker
Nays: none
Absent: Kramer
Motion 4: It was moved by Stemmley to adjourn the meeting at 9:40pm.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT – for March 12, 2026 Board Meeting
Communications (see enclosed pages)
· Email letter from documentary photographer Stephen Kennedy requesting permission to take photographs in our library and include them in his art project.
· Request from Jason Hark of Medicare Insurance Options LLC to give an informational “Medicare 101” talk at our library. (No sign-ins, no sales, simply making business cards available.
· Email regarding the 2026 Statement of Economic Interests filing.
· Prize acknowledge letter for door prize won during IHLS Member Day 2026
Director’s Report
1. Staff computers were updated to Windows 11 February 15th and 16th. Follow-up work was done on February 22nd and March 8th. With Windows 11 running we will need to replace the oldest staff machines’ hard drives before the end of this fiscal year.
2. The March Reading Challenge for all ages is active in Beanstack through the end of the month.
3. Staff members created a March Madness for books. Voting for the first round started on March 9th.
4. Currently a basket drawing is going on at the circulation desks for two Easter Bunny themed baskets of goodies. The entry form asks people to rate our library. The drawing will be held April 1st.
5. Eight staff members will attend the Reaching Forward South conference on April 10, 2026.
6. The library building’s old basement waterproofing by Woods Basement Systems is scheduled for April 15, 2026.
7. National Library Week is April 19-25. Staff members will be celebrating each day.
Programming Report (for February 2026)
Book Clubs
The OG Book Club - 6 attendees
Thrills and Chills Book Club – 12 attendees
Just Another Book Club – 11 attendees
Outreach
Villa Rose library day – 10
Preschool Story times
2/3- 10 am: 2 kids, 2 adults; 1 pm: 6 kids, 8 adults
2/10- 10 am: 2 kids, 2 adults; 1 pm: 4 kids, 4 adults
2/17- 10 am: 2 kids, 2 adults; 1 pm: 6 kids, 5 adults
2/24- 10 am: no attendees; 1 pm: 7 kids, 5 adults
Baby/Toddler Playtimes
2/5- 2 kids, 2 adults
2/12- 0 attendees
2/19- 1 kid, 2 adults
2/26- 4 kids, 4 adults
Family Fun Thursdays (Amy usually only counts the kids who participate in the Thursday activities, not the adults who bring them)
2/5- Perler Beads and snow activities- 8 attendees
2/12- Cozy Fort Building- 4 attendees
2/19- Kids in the Kitchen- Brownie Batter Dip- 12 attendees
2/26- Movie in the Kid’s Area- 12 attendees
Other Events
Take Your Child to the Library Day- Around 16 families came in for crafts, stories, movies, and more.
Puzzle Race- 4 teams signed up- 14 attendees
Adult Bingo- 20 attendees
AARP Tax Preparation Services
2/4- 18 people
2/11- 22 people
2/18- 21 people
2/25- 20 people
Virtual Event
Illinois Libraries Present: Still Afraid of the Dark: An Evening with R.L. Stine – 3 attendees
Self Directed Activity
Patron poll: Would you rather Stay in and read OR Go out? – 34 + 16 = 50 votes with Stay in and read as the winner
Reading Challenge
2026 New Year, New Read- 38 registrations, 31 active readers, 147 books read