Notice: This meeting of the Lake Bluff Library Board of Trustees was held with a quorum of Trustees physically present. The meeting was simulcast for any members of the public who did not wish to attend the meeting in-person at the Lake Bluff Public Library building. Guidelines and access codes were published before the meeting so members of the public could log in. The meeting was recorded, with the recording made available through the Library’s website. As required by law, at least one representative from the Library was present at the Library while participating in the meeting.

  1. Call to Order: Board President Bonnie Shaul called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
  2. Roll Call: Trustees Shaul, Jerch, Heck, Jardine, Reidy and Friedeman were present. Library Director Natalie Starosta and Eliza Jarvi were also present, Jillian Chapman attended remotely.
  3. Additions & Corrections to the Agenda: There was none.
  4. Opportunity for Public to Address the Board: There was none.
  5. Consent Agenda: Trustee Friedeman moved to approve the items on the consent agenda; Trustee Jerch seconded. Trustee Shaul, Jerch, Jardine & Friedeman voted aye. Trustees Reidy & Heck abstained.
  6. Library Director Updates: Library Director Natalie Starosta provided an overview of April 2025 happenings at the library and monthly usage statistics, including sprinkler head replacement, a revised budget submitted to the state for the accessibility grant to be used for asbestos remediation and updated heat maps to include elevator usage counts for more accurate depiction of building usage by patrons who bypass the door counter. In addition, Library Director Starosta was able to clear out and close the off-site storage unit that was housing records that were eligible to be destroyed.
  7. March & April 2025 Financial Reports
    1. Trustee Jerch moved to approve the March 2025 Detailed Revenue & Expenditure Reports, Trustee Jardine seconded; Trustees Shaul, Jerch, Jardine & Friedeman voted aye. Trustees Heck & Reidy abstained.
    2. Trustee Jardine moved to approve the April 2025 Detailed Revenue & Expenditure Reports, Trustee Friedeman seconded; Trustees Shaul, Jerch, Jardine & Friedeman voted aye. Trustees Heck & Reidy abstained.
    3. Trustee Jerch moved to approve the April 2025 Monthly Check Disbursement Report with checks numbered 16492-16511, Trustee Jardine seconded; Trustees Shaul, Jerch, Jardine & Friedeman voted aye. Trustees Heck & Reidy abstained.
  8. Committee Reports: There were no committee meetings since the last Board meeting. The Board is voting on a proposal for a Committee of the Whole structure moving forward.
  9. New Business
    1. Swear in Newly Elected Trustees:
      1. Trustee Reidy recited her Board Member Oath of Office, which was administered by Board President Shaul.
      2. Trustee Heck recited her Board Member Oath of Office, which was administered by Board President Shaul.
      3. Trustee Shaul recited her Board Member Oath of Office, which was administered by Board Secretary Friedeman.
    2. Personnel Manual Update: Trustee Friedeman moved to approve the revised Personnel Manual, Trustee Reidy seconded; all voted aye.
    3. Bylaws Committee of the Whole: Trustee Jerch moved to approve the revised Board Bylaws to include a Committee of the Whole structure, Trustee Jardine seconded; all voted aye.
    4. Resolution Honoring Trustee Janie Jerch: Trustee Friedeman moved to approve the resolution to recognize Trustee Jerch for 10 years of dedication to the Library Board; Trustee Reidy seconded. All voted aye.
    5. Appointment of Board President: Trustee Jerch moved to appoint Trustee Friedeman as the President of the Board of Trustees; Trustee Shaul seconded. All voted aye.
    6. Appointment of Slate of Officers (Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary): Trustee Jerch moved to appoint Trustee Shaul as the Treasurer, Trustee Jardine as the Vice President, and Trustee Heck as Secretary; Trustee Friedeman seconded. All voted aye.
    7. Duties and Responsibilities of the Board and Director workshop by Deiters & Todd Consulting: The Board discussed the proposed Board workshop from Deiters & Todd and will consider it for the July Committee of the Whole agenda.
  10. Library Correspondence & Communications: Library Director Natalie Starosta provided an overview of Library correspondence, including comment cards.
  11. Executive Session(s) section 2(c)(3) Selection of person to fill public office: Trustee Jerch moved to enter closed session at 8:03 pm; Trustee Jardine seconded. All voted aye. Trustee Jerch moved to end closed session and re-enter open meeting at 9:09 pm; Trustee Friedeman seconded. All voted aye.
  12. New Business as a result of Closed Session
    1. Appoint and swear in new Library Trustee(s): Trustee Jerch moved to nominate Joseph Kearney and Brian Sobolak to the vacant Trustee positions for a two-year term (FY2026 and FY2027); Trustee Heck seconded. All voted aye.
  13. Any and all other business which may properly come before the Board: There was none.
  14. Adjournment: Trustee Jerch moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:22 pm, Trustee Reidy seconded; all voted aye. The meeting adjourned at 9:22 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Alexandra Friedeman

Secretary