2026
STREATOR PUBLIC LIBRARY
Board Minutes
January 20, 2026
President David Reed called the January meeting of the Streator Public Library Board of Trustees to order at 4:30 p.m.
Present were board members Sandy Austin, Marc Cheffer, Jane Farero, Spencer Lawrence, Darcy Mollo, David Reed, Jack Schuler, and Gary Wheeler and Library Director Melissa Badger.
Board member Ellen Vogel was absent.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Board Secretary Jane Farero presented the minutes of the December meeting. Motion by Marc Sheffer to accept the minutes with a spelling correction. Seconded by Gary Wheeler. Motion passed by voice vote.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
The financial report ending December 31, 2025 prepared by Lauterbach & Amen was presented. Motion by Spencer Lawrence to accept the report as presented. Seconded by Marc Cheffer. Motion passed by voice vote.
No bills were presented for payment.
CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence was presented.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT
The elevator has been upgraded and is ready for inspection.
The library has received the final donation from the Gladfelter Estate.
150 people attended the Santa/Grinch program.
The library is receiving a large number of views on their Facebook/Instagram videos.
Justin Proud is to begin work on replacing the lights around the base of the dome next week.
The library is beginning to receive an increase in book shipments from Ingram.
The annual Library Certification has been completed and accepted.
Students with the STEP program have started work at the library.
Director Badger will be attending the Delegates Assembly meeting on January 28th in New Lenox.
The Mini Golf fundraiser has been promoted at the Caffeinate and Connect meeting, in the newspaper, and on social media as well as in-house.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
No report was presented.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Building and Grounds/ All systems are ready to install the library sign
Finance/ The matured CD at SOCU has been transferred to the SOCU savings account.
Policy/ No report at this time.
Fundraising/ The committee will begin building the golf course for the fundraiser on Wednesday January 28th. Addition help will be appreciated. Tear down will be Sunday,
February 1 after 3 p.m.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The outdoor sign is ready to be installed.
The last 4pieces of the stained glass have been sold. The total amount from sale of all the stain glass is $1850.
NEW BUSINESS
The library has chosen Ficek as the provider for the library’s security needs.
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 5 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Wreith Farero
Board Secretary
STREATOR PUBLIC LIBRARY
Board Minutes
February 17, 2026
President David Reed called the February meeting of the Streator Public Library Board ofTrustees to order at 4:30 p.m.Present were board members Sandy Austin, Marc Cheffer, Jane Farero, Spencer Lawrence, DaveReed, Jack Schuler, Ellen Vogel, and Gary Wheeler and Library Director Melissa Badger.Board member Darcy Mollo was absent.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Board secretary Jane Farero presented the minutes of the January board meeting. Motion by Gary Wheeler to accept the minutes as presented. Seconded by Spencer Lawrence. Motion passed by voice vote.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
The financial report ending January 31, 2026 prepared by Lauterbach & Amen waspresented. Motion by Ellen Vogel to accept the report as presented. Seconded by Marc Cheffer.Motion passed by voice vote.No outstanding bills were presented for payment.
CORRESPONDENCE
President Reed shared correspondence from Diane Schuler of BEST, INC. thankingDirector Badger and the library staff for their help in providing services to individuals lookingfor employment.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT
The library’s elevator has passed inspection.
Base work on the library sign will begin as soon as weather permits.
Justin Proud is waiting for a smaller lift to become available before beginning the workof replacing the lights below the dome and above the charge desk.
Director Badger has completed the IPLAR report.
The library’s library card drive has begun. The drive is highlighting the Cards for Kids program.
A year long literacy initiative has been launched both in-house and on social media.
The library now has a one-year subscription to Value Line Stock Database.
Grand Ridge School’s visits have been scheduled at the library.
The library is attending Woodland School’s Reading Night on March 3.
The Friends of the Library hosted a Members Meet and Greet at the library.
Director Badger has been notified that the library has been awarded a $10,000 literacygrant from Pizza Hut.
Director Badger will be attending the Illinois Reading Council Conference on March 12-13.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Reed will be giving a program on the Poundstone Flag at the library onFebruary 21, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. President Reed is working to raise awareness of the flag that ison display at the library and to raise funds to place a marker at Poundstone’s grave in the familycemetery located north of Grand Ridge off of Route 23. The cost of the marker will beapproximately $6,000.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Building & Grounds/ Work on the lights below the dome will begin as soon as ProudElectric can secure a small lift. The smaller lift will minimize the possibility of any damage tothe library floors.Finance/ No reportPolicy/ No reportFundraising/ The Mini Golf Fundraiser brought in $7,057.52. The library will be hostinga Quarter Auction on March 19, 2026 at 6 p.m. at the Oakley Avenue Klub. Three raffle itemswill be provided by the library. Board members are needed to help at this event.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The mason who will be doing base work for the library sign is in contact with Signs &Design. Work will begin as soon as the weather permits.
NEW BUSINESS
No new business was presented.There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 5 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
,Jane Wreith FareroBoard Secretary
STREATOR PUBLIC LIBRARY
Board Minutes
March 17, 2026
President David Reed called the March meeting of the Streator Public Library Board of Trustees to order at 4:30 p.m.
Present were board members Sandy Austin, Jane Farero, Darcy Mollo, David Reed, Jack Schuler, Ellen Vogel and Gary Wheeler and Library Director Melissa Badger.
Board members Marc Cheffer and Spencer Lawrence were absent.
GUESTS
Custodian Dan Missel gave an overview of his work at the library as well as sharing his view of the library from the time he started coming to the library as a child.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Board secretary Jane Farero presented the minutes of the February board meeting. Motion by Darcy Mollo to accept the minutes as presented. Seconded by Jack Schuler. Motion passed by voice vote.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
The financial report ending February 28, 2026 prepared by Lauterbach & Amen was presented. Motion by Ellen Vogel to accept the report as presented. Motion passed by voice vote.
No outstanding bills were presented for payment.
CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence was presented.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Work on the lighting and plaster is progressing.
Oosterbaan will fit the library into their schedule to do the painting below the dome as soon as possible.
Bert Schneider, reported that the Baar bricks from the City are a different shade than the library’s existing brick. He can provide bricks that are a better match.
The library is starting a Spanish-language book club.
The IMRF audit has been completed.
The library is partnering with Pizza Hut for summer programming.
Library Facebook Reels are a hit. The record is 11,656 views for a single reel.
Cookie Day had 23 children in attendance and Science Saturday had 25 children participate.
The library hosted an intern from Illinois Sate University during Spring Break.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
No report was presented.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Building & Grounds/ The committee will be checking tile on the ceiling in the Plumb Room and the second-floor stacks. They will be reviewing placement of outside security cameras.
Financial/ No report
Policy/ No report
Fundraiser/ Trustees were reminded of the Quarter Auction at the KCs on Thursday.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The brick mason will be ready to start brick work on the sign within 10 days. Trustees looked at samples of brick available. Darcy Mollo feels that any brick used should be Baar Brick. Motion by Jane Farero to allow Library Director Melissa Badger to make the final decision on the brick used. Seconded by Gary Wheeler. Motion passed by voice vote.
NEW BUSINESS
Director Badger presented a plan to revise the hours the library is open to patrons. The library presently has Winter Hours with the library being open 60 hours per week while Summer Hours has the library open 48 hours per week. To make things simpler for both patrons and staff Director Badger is proposing one consistent year-round schedule. The schedule would be
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Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
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Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Motion by Ellen Vogel to approve the suggested consistent year-round library open hours plan.
Seconded by Sandy Austin. Motion passed by voice vote.
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:10p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Wreith Farero
Board Secretary
STREATOR PUBLIC LIBRARY
Board Minutes
April 21, 2026
Vice President Ellen Vogel called the April meeting of the Streator Public Library Board of Trustees to order at 4:30 p.m.
Present were Jane Farero, Darcy Mollo, Jack Schuler, Ellen Vogel and Gary Wheeler and Library Director Melissa Badger.
Board members Sandy Austin, Marc Cheffer, Spencer Lawrence, and David Reed were absent.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Board secretary Jane Farero presented the minutes of the March board meeting. Motion by Darcy Mollo to accept the minutes as presented. Seconded by Jack Schuler. Motion passed by voice vote.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
The financial report ending March 31, 2026 prepared by Lauterbach & Amen was presented. Motion by Gary Wheeler to accept the report as presented. Seconded by Darcy Mollo. Motion passed by voice vote.
There were no bills presented for payment.
CORRESPONDENCE
Presented was a note from the Peoria Woman’s Club thanking the staff for the tour given them when they visited the library.
The library has received notification from the Francis M. Scheidt Trust that the library will be receiving a bequest from the trust.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT
The library has received a $500 in-kind book donation/grant from Penguin Random House.
Oosterbaan has completed the below the dome painting project.
The cabinet for the outdoor sign is currently being constructed.
Over 120 people attended the library’s egg hunt this year.
The library staff is cataloging additional STEM kits.
Postcards have been sent to St. Michael's students inviting them to sign up for Cards for Kids.
The Friend of the Library will be purchasing a storage unit for the tech area of the library.
Work is being done in the basement to provide a space for the IAC grant art program.
The library is partnering with 4-H to hatch chicken eggs as part of the library’s spring STEM programming.
A Book Fair will be hosted by the library to promote National Library Week.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
No report was presented.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Building & Grounds/ The library is waiting for Justin Proud to complete the installation of the lights below the dome. Diversified Sheet Metal has presented a bid of $6,592 for work on the heat ducts in two rooms.
Financial/ No report
Policy/ No report
Fundraising/ No report
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The outdoor sign cabinet is being constructed. The sign will be installed when that work is completed.
NEW BUSINESS
Director Badger informed the board of the mandate which sets the fee the library must charge non-residents for a library card. Using the formula set by the State of Illinois, the library will need to raise the subscription fee for a non-resident library card to $76 per year. Even with the increase, the Streator Public Library would still have the lowest non-resident fee for a library card in the area. The last fee increase occurred in 2021 when the fee was raised for $36 to $55.
Motion by Jane Farero to raise the subscription fee for a non-resident library card to $76 a year beginning on June 1,2026. Seconded by Ellen Vogel. Motion passed by voice vote.
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Wreith Farero
Board Secretary
STREATOR PUBLIC LIBRARY
Board Minutes
May 19, 2026
President David Reed called the May meeting of the Streator Public Library Board of Trustees to order at 4:30 p.m. Present were board members Sandy Austin, Marc Cheffer, Jane Farero, Spencer Lawrence, Darcy Mollo, David Reed, Jack Schuler, Ellen Vogel, and Gary Wheeler and Library Director Melissa Badger.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Board secretary Jane Farero presented the minutes of the April board meeting. Motion by Marc Cheffer to accept the minutes as presented. Seconded by Ellen Vogel. Motion passed by voice vote.
FINANCIAL REPORT
The financial report ending April 30, 2026 prepared by Luterbach & Amen was presented. Motion by Gary Wheeler accept the report as presented. Seconded by Spencer Lawrence. Motion passed by voice vote. There were no bills presented for payment.
CORRESPONDENCE
Tim Armstrong has informed the board that the Endowment Fund has shown an increase of 24% since February of 2025.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT
The digital sign has been completed.
The dome project has been completed and the lights below have been installed.
The annual visits to area schools to promote the library’s summer reading program have been completed.
As a benefit of RAILS membership, the public computer browsers have been updated to Public Wed Browser free of charge.
The library has passed the annual Fire Alarm inspection.
The library participated in the Streator Food Truck Festival.
Library In Service Day will be June 3 to prep for the Summer Reading Program and to make Social Media Videos.
Nicole Close will spearhead the $2,325 Dollar General Grant “Summer Reading—Read with a Buddy Book Bags”.
Friends of the Library is looking for a President and a Vice President for the coming year.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
President Reed thanked the board for their work on the Quarter Auction.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Building & Grounds/ The committee is searching for a qualified individual to assist in setting up 501c(3).
Finance
No report
Policy
No report.
Fundraising
The committee has been contacted about doing another Quarter Auction.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
The digital sign has been installed and is in use.
NEW BUSINESS
None There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:55.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Wreith Farero
Board Secretary
STREATOR PUBLIC LIBRARY
Board Minutes
June 16, 2026
President David Reed called the June meeting of the Streator Public Library Board of Trustees to order at 4:30 p.m.
Present were board members Sandy Austin, Marc Cheffer, Jane Farero, Spencer Lawrence, Darcy Mollo, David Reed, Jack Schuler, and Gary Wheeler and Library Director Melissa Badger.
Board member Ellen Vogel was absent.
Guests
Tim Armstrong was unable to attend today’s board meeting.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Board secretary Jane Farero presented the minutes of the May board meeting. Motion by Gary Wheeler to accept the minutes as presented. Seconded by Darcy Molllo. Motion passed by voice vote.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
The financial report ending May 31,2026 prepared by Lauterbach & Amen was presented. Motion by Jane Farero to accept the report as presented. Seconded by Spencer Lawrence. Motion passed by voice vote.
Director Badger presented the bill for the Hot Spot Renewal. Motion by Jane Farero to pay the bill as presented. Seconded by Marc Cheffer. Motion passed by voice vote.
CORRESPONDENCE
Director Badger has been informed that the library will receive a Per Capita Grant of $21,250 plus an Equalization Grant of $31,169.02 for 2026.
LIBRARY DIRECTOR’S REPORT
The library staff participated in the Poco a Poco community event at Park Presbyterian Church.
The library’s five-year sprinkler system inspection has been scheduled with Getz.
Director Badger attended the Chamber Caffeinate & Connect which introduced the new City Manager, Police Chief, and Fire Chief.
The West of 57 Directors Group is developing a small library professional development conference for 2027.
Over 50 attended the library’s tie die event.
Summer Reading registration is underway, with the kickoff event scheduled for June 13.
Repairs to the Sun Room air conditioning system have been completed.
The Friends of the Library have elected Darcy Mollo as President and Charlotte Badger as Vice-President.
The Friends of the Library have donated $1200 for the Summer Reading prizes.
Library Page Charlotte Badger has submitted her resignation. Miss Badger will be available as an on-call staff substitute. She will complete an unpaid marketing and outreach internship during the fall semester.
Staff member Dakota Roman will assume the page responsibilities in addition to her Technical Service duties.
Director Badger has completed her annual FOIA and OMA training.
Director Badger and Financial Chair Marc Cheffer met with Laura Keys from the Illinois State Library to review Per Capita and Tech Grant Spending.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
No report was presented.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Building & Grounds/ The committee is suggesting that Building Restoration be a line item in the budget.
Financial/ no report
Policy Committee/ Board members were sent suggested changes to the Dress Code in the Employee Handbook plus a suggested Digital Sign Policy in this month’s board packet.
Fund Raising/ no report.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Motion by Jane Farero to add Per Capita Grant as a line item in the annual budget. Seconded by Marc Cheffer. Motion passed by voice vote.
Motion by Sandy Austin to approve the suggested changes to the Dress Code in the Employee Handbook. Seconded by Marc Cheffer. Motion passed by voice vote.
Motion by Gary Wheeler to accept the suggested Digital Sign Policy. Seconded by Spencer Lawrence. Motion passed by voice vote.
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Wreith Farero
Board Secretary