Michelle Baumann

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and the reading of the Land Acknowledgement Statement. Key actions included the adoption of the agenda and the approval of consent agenda items, such as financial reports dated November 30, 2025, and December 31, 2025. Committee reports indicated that the Audit, Director Relations, and Policy and Bylaws Committees did not meet; however, the Lilac Parade Committee discussed objectives and timelines for library participation, and the Helen Plum Library Foundation reported on a new free coffee program utilizing donated beans. Unfinished business involved a correction to the maturity date for the Robbins Family CD line-item in QuickBooks. New business primarily focused on the DuPage Children's Museum traveling exhibit, "The Questioneers: Read. Question. Think. Play!"; detailed discussion occurred regarding budget, planning, staffing, and insurance, resulting in the decision to table approval pending further cost and impact forecasts. An Intergovernmental Agreement was approved for Glen Ellyn Public Library to act as the billing agent for a cooperative advertising initiative. A discussion followed regarding IL Senate Resolution 104 and accessing the iLEAD Trustee Learning Portal. The Executive Director reported on compliance preparations for opioid antagonists, upcoming emergency system testing, and a forthcoming food pantry collection drive. Activity reports included positive feedback on patron transportation, social media engagement statistics, and plans for tracking active cardholders.

The Audit Committee meeting focused on the review of the Secretary's records for the period of July 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, which were found to be in good standing. The committee moved to recommend that the full Board approve these records. Additionally, the committee discussed closed session minutes and determined that none needed to be opened, and voted to recommend that the Board authorize the destruction of verbatim closed session recordings that are older than 18 months.

The board discussed committee reports, including the Lilac Parade and Library Foundation activities. A key action item included the approval of expenses for the DuPage Children's Museum traveling exhibit, The Questioneers. Additionally, the board received a presentation on school outreach programs and heard the Executive Director's report regarding ADA Title II compliance, strategic planning priorities, and upcoming filing requirements for Statements of Economic Interest. The meeting concluded with a review of library activities, including community events, facility updates, and outreach efforts.

The committee discussed planning for the 2026 Lilac Parade, specifically focusing on the purchase of promotional giveaways like pencils and custom stickers. Topics included organizing volunteer participation through the Teen Advisory Board and a public event registration process, establishing the theme "Read, White, and Blue," managing logistics for the book bike and banners, and finalizing decisions on uniform t-shirts for participants. Additionally, the committee reviewed the budget for associated costs, including registration fees and supplies.

The Lilac Parade Committee meeting focused on planning participation for the 2026 Lilac Parade scheduled for May 17. Key discussion points included defining the objective of participation as visibility and representation, establishing a timeline for the application (due April 8), and reviewing the budget, noting flexibility up to $2,500. Ideas for engagement were brainstormed, such as utilizing a walking group with staff and volunteers, potentially featuring a new book bike, and using themed shirts aligning with the national theme, "Happy 250th Birthday America." Giveaways like plantable pencils and bookmarks, and activities like parade BINGO, were considered. Research items for the next meeting include obtaining quotes for merchandise, coordinating volunteer sign-ups, surveying Foundation members for participation, and clarifying registration procedures with parade organizers.