Kankakee Times

Bradley Public Library District Board of Trustees met July 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

President Bayer called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

Trustees Present: Nick Allen, Jody Andriano, Karen Bayer, Lucson Edme (Arrived 6:05 p.m.), Paula Goodwin, Brandon Hawkins, Jessica Trudeau

Trustees Absent: None

Also Present: Jodie DePatis, Director, Marie Cowden, Recording Secretary

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Trustee Hawkins made a motion to accept the minutes of the June 18, 2025 Regular Board meeting. Trustee Andriano seconded and the motion carried by unanimous vote.

PUBLIC COMMENT: Brenda Whittler spoke of her concern of after hour parking lot activities.

FINANCIAL REPORT AND APPROVAL OF VENDOR PAYMENTS:

Trustee Bayer made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as submitted and to accept vendor payments in the amount of $44,830.33 for the month of June 2025. Trustee Andriano seconded and motion carried by roll call of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT:

(Statistical Reports Attached)

Director DePatis stated the following:

• Building: Due to the extreme humidity this summer, a dehumidifier was purchased for the Drassler room. A woman was trespassed from Library property on June 26 for threatening staff, bringing alcohol into the building, public urination, and attempting to sleep overnight on Library property.

• Programs: Summer reading continues with a positive response to the new Dragon cards reading incentive. The program ends on August 2. The first summer mobile pantry on June 19 from 5-6:30pm had 112 families attend before we ran out of food. Supplies for the next pantry on July 17 will be increased to 130 families with the final pantry of the summer to be held August 14 from 5-6:30pm. The free summer lunch program for 18 and under continues until August 7. The reduction of serving hours to 11:30-12:30 has been much easier for staff to handle alongside their regular duties.

• Personnel: Ashley Alejo has been hired as a PT Circulation Clerk. Annual worker’s comp audit has been completed.

• Legal: The 2% maintenance levy notice was published in The Daily Journal on June 28.

• Computers: Three new hotspots have been ordered to replace unreturned hotspots from the previous year. The paperwork for the new PrairieCat app has been completed.

• Grants: The 4th quarter PNG report has been completed and the last $500 of grant money has been spent. FY2025 Per Capita Grants have been announced and Bradley Public Library was awarded $18,219.20.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

• Friends of the Library Liason: Trustee Bayer stated the Culver’s Fundraiser raised $430.00 for the library. A future fundraising event at Oberweis Dairy is being pursued. The next book sale is being planned for the first weekend in October, and the next Friends of the Library meeting will be in September.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None

NEW BUSINESS:

• FOIA Policy Update: The updated Freedom of Information Act Policy (FOIA) was distributed and discussed. Trustee Allen made a motion to approve the updated FOIA policy and Trustee Hawkins seconded. Motion carried by roll call 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 absent.

COMMUNICATIONS/CORRESPONDENCE: None

ADJOURNMENT: At 6:22 p.m. Trustee Hawkins made a motion to adjourn. Trustee Goodwin seconded and motion carried by unanimous vote.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.

https://www.bradleylibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Board-Meeting-Minutes-July-16-2025.pdf