May 14, 2026 - Board Minutes
Bethalto Public Library District
Board Meeting
May 14, 2026
The meeting was called to order by Andrea Kramer.
Present: Pamela Collman, Andrea Kramer, Patricia Stemmley, Ryan Tite, Kristy Walker
Absent: Stephanie Allshouse , Elijah Pettit
Also present: Mary Brewster – Library Director, Paula Tretter – Assistant Director
Motion 1: It was moved by Walker and seconded by Kramer that the minutes of the meeting of April 9, 2026 be approved as written.
Ayes: Collman, Kramer, Stemmley, Tite, Walker
Nays: none
Absent: Allshouse, Pettit
Motion 2: It was moved by Collman and seconded by Stemmley that bills in the amount of $64,411.78 be paid.
Ayes: Collman, Kramer, Stemmley, Tite, Walker
Nays: none
Absent: Allshouse, Pettit
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
Discussed Strategic Plan for FY27-FY31. Pam Collman and Kristy Walker will work with Director on goals.
NEW BUSINESS
Yes, increase petty cash amount to $1,650.
Discussed accounting services. This will be added to next month’s agenda.
Motion 3: It was moved by Walker and seconded by Collman to approve participation in the non-resident library card program in FY27, using the tax bill method to determine the fee.
Ayes: Collman, Kramer, Stemmley, Tite, Walker
Nays: none
Absent: Allshouse, Pettit
Motion 4: It was moved by Kramer to adjourn the meeting at 9:30pm.
DIRECTOR’S REPORT – for May 14, 2026 Board Meeting
Communications (see enclosed pages)
§ None
Director’s Report
1. Woods Basement Systems installed the waterproofing system, sump pump, and dehumidifier in the Library’s old basement April 15-16, 2026. The sump pump was immediately full of water!
2. The Used Book Sale on Saturday, April 25, 2026 brought in $1,455.00. Once again we received many compliments on how well organized the books are in the sale. We also found new homes for most of the items cleaned out of the Library’s old basement while preparing for the waterproofing work.
3. I applied for the Illinois State Library Security Grant. If awarded, this grant would cover installation and one year of monthly payments for new intrusion alarm and security camera systems from Johnson Controls.
4. In April, we started putting Favorite Character books in bins on the shelves under the bulletin board in the Kids Area. Amy let me know that a patron noticed these right away the next day! Paula has designed very visible character cards to mark the front of the clear plastic bins. Additional bins will be purchased to complete this project and make all the characters easy to find this summer for our youngest patrons.
5. Please consider increasing the amount of Petty Cash on hand from $1,150 to $1,650. Currently we pay Walmart receipts through Petty Cash since they ended the store account. We routinely purchase supplies and programming items at Walmart.
§ Please note that $650.00 of this total amount is for the swap bags used for the circulation desk money drawers. So the Petty Cash used to reimburse store receipts and mileage would increase from $500 to $1,000.
6. Eight staff members attended the Reaching Forward South conference on April 10th. Their brief reports are included in this packet.
7. Future purchases to consider for FY27 budget:
§ TBS system for printing and scanning documents – demonstrated at Reaching Forward South; this equipment system makes helping patrons a very smooth and simple process! (https://tbsit360.com/products/scanning-solution/scanez/)
§ Locker pick-up system for checking out library materials when the building is closed. (https://www.bibliotheca.com/remotelockerplus/)
Programming Report (for April 2026)
Book Clubs
The OG Book Club – 10 attendees
Thrills and Chills Book Club – 8 attendees
Just Another Book Club – 11 attendees
Preschool Storytimes
April 7- 10 am: 1 child, 1 adult; 1 pm: 3 kids, 2 adults
April 14- 10 am: no attendees; 1 pm- 8 kids, 5 adults
April 21- 10 am: 1 kid, 1 adult; 1 pm- 8 kids, 5 adults
April 28- 10 am: 4 kids, 1 adult; 1 pm: 8 kids, 7 adults
Baby/Toddler Playtimes
April 2- no attendees
April 9- 2 kids, 3 adults
April 16- no attendees
April 23- no attendees
April 30- 1 kid, 1 adult
Family Fun Thursdays
April 2- Crafternoon- 4 kids attended
April 9- Nerf War- 4 attendees
April 16- Kids in the Kitchen- 4 attendees
April 23- Movie in the Kid’s Area- 7 attendees
April 30- Ms. Amy’s Choice (various crafts and toys)- 6 attendees
Other Events
Read with Maui- 8 attendees
Adult Bingo- 21 attendees
AARP Tax Preparation appointments
4/1- 21 people
4/8- 20 people
Trivia Night- canceled due to low interest
Art Night- Garden Stakes- We sold 20 of the 24 we bought. This was a really fun and popular craft!
Breakfast with Books (during book sale)- only a few people attended, but the book sale was a success!
Virtual Event
Illinois Libraries Present: Cristina Henríquez: Voice, Culture, and Human Connection – 1 attendee
Outreach
Villa Rose library day – 8 residents checked out books.
Parkside Family Night- Amy attended the Parkside Family Night. She read to the students and gave out some info on the summer reading program.
Bethalto School District Community Night- Mary and Amy had a table at Civic Memorial High School. We gave out stickers, bookmarks, and suckers, and spoke to families about summer reading. We also had 5 raffle baskets- 196 people entered to win!
Reading Challenge
Rainy Day Reads- 25 registrations, 22 active readers, 119 books read
Self Directed Activities
Take Home Kids Craft bags- while cleaning out the old basement this month, Ryan put together lunch bags of crafting items with the instructions to create something out of the materials in the bag. All of these were taken!
Interactive Bulletin Board- kids decorate butterflies to add to the garden.
National Poetry Month Activities- Amy put out magnetic poetry on one of the whiteboards and also “poem in your pocket” take-home poems at the main circulation desk. 20 people took a poem.
National Library Week Activities
· Amy put out hearts and asked patrons to write what they love about their library and add it to the board. Unfortunately, not many people participated (There were 4 or 5 hearts that weren’t by staff).
· The most popular Library Week activity was the book cover scavenger hunt. Around 30 people participated.
· Paula planned patron giveaways each day and also staff spirit activities for each day
o Monday - "Thanks for popping in!" (bags of fresh popcorn) - Staff in favorite sports team gear
o Tuesday - "A Fresh Chapter Starts Here!" (Lifesavers mints) - Staff in crazy socks
o Wednesday - "Don't Stress! We Are Here For You." (stress cubes) - Staff in pajamas
o Thursday - "Sip, Sip, Hooray!" (water bottle with flavor packet) - Staff in favorite color
o Friday - "Thank you for being a part of our story!" (magnetic bookmarks & mini chocolate books) - Staff in love your library gear