Kankakee Times

Bourbonnais Public Library District Board of Trustees met Sept. 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

President David Stejkowski called to order the regular meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Bourbonnais Public Library District at 7 p.m. on September 15, 2025

Trustees Present: Mary Kay Blankestyn, Kate Burgess, Jen Corke-Kafer, Laurie Hofman, Jessica Prentkowski, Ellen Stringer, and David Stejkowski.

Also Present: Library Director Kelly McCully and Stacey Van Kley

Introduction of Visitors and Public Comment: None

Review Agenda for Additions/Changes: None

Consent Agenda- Action:

Approve August 18, 2025 Minutes

Approve Financial Report and Payment of Bills for July 2025

Approve Check Registers

Prentkowski made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Corke-Kafer seconded the motion. Blankestyn, Burgess, Hofman, Stringer, and Stejkowski voted yes.

Officer’s Reports: None

Correspondence & Communications: None

Director’s Report: The Marketing department took a field trip to Helen Plum Public Library in Lombard and the Naperville Public Library in August. The team gathered fresh, innovative ideas that will be valuable in the coming year. Marketing Director Amanda and Marketing Assistant Kat received numerous compliments about our social media content and marketing materials. This team has made a name for itself in the library world.

The parking lot was resurfaced over Labor Day weekend. This officially marks the completion of all construction on the parking lot.

Congratulations to Assistant Director Stacey Van Kley for being selected to participate in RAILS Catalyst, an eight-month leadership development program. Participants will collaboratively explore essential leadership competencies and, with the guidance of Certified Professional Coach Becky Thalmann, develop an individualized framework to lead, build, and strengthen their teams, organizations, and the broader library profession.

Two new children’s Awe Stations and eight new patron PCs were configured and deployed for public use. Four new laptops will also be available for one-on-one technology tutoring and mobile card sign-ups at outreach events. Funding to purchase this new technology was made available through the State of Illinois Technology grant that BPL received in July.

Committee Reports:

Finance: None

Personnel: None

Policy: None

Building & Grounds: None

Long Range Planning: None

Old Business: None

New Business:

Action: Discuss and Approve FY2024-FY2025 Health Insurance Renewal

Stejkowski moved to approve Homestar Insurance Services' proposed estimates for health, dental, vision, short-term disability, and life insurance, up to a maximum of $75,000 per year for full-time library employees. The Director may select the cafeteria plans that best meet employees' needs. Stejkowski made the motion. Hofman seconded the motion. Blankestyn, Burgess, Corke-Kafer, Prentkowski, and Stringer voted yes.

Action: Approve Staff Attendance at 2026 Public Library Association Conference.

Prentkowski made a motion to approve the attendance of two library staff members at the 2026 Public Library Association Conference. Corke-Kafer seconded the motion. Blankestyn, Burgess, Hofman, Prentkowski, Stringer, and Stejkowski voted yes.

Public Comment: None

Adjournment: Blankestyn made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:53 p.m. Hofman seconded the motion, and it passed with a unanimous vote of the present trustees.

https://bourbonnaislibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/Minutes-September-15-2025.pdf