Meeting Summary: Frankfort Public Library District for May 22, 2025

The Frankfort Public Library District Board of Trustees held its reorganization meeting on Thursday, welcoming five new members and electing new officers. The board also received an update on the nearly complete HVAC project and announced the retirement of a longtime librarian.

Board Reorganizes, Seeks Applicant for Vacancy: The library board has a new look after electing Lori Evenhouse as vice president, Jeffrey Otway as secretary, and Karen Miner as treasurer. They join five new trustees who were sworn into office. The new board’s first task is to fill a vacant two-year seat; applications will be accepted until June 7.

HVAC Project Nears Finish Line: The library’s new HVAC system is now operational. The project is mostly complete with a final estimated cost of $250,000 to $260,000, which includes necessary adjustments like sealing old ductwork and replacing a concrete pad.

Outgoing Trustees Recognized: The board unanimously passed a resolution honoring the service of outgoing trustees David Drisko, John Karabis, John Schneider, and Brooks Stenoish as their terms concluded.

Librarian Gail Gray to Retire: It was announced during the librarian’s report that Adult Services Librarian Gail Gray will be retiring. Library Director Amanda Kowalcze shared the news with the board during her monthly update.

Library Shifts to Credit Cards to Reduce Fraud: In an effort to mitigate check fraud, the library is increasingly using Mastercard for payments. The board approved the April bills, noting that the shift away from physical checks is a deliberate security measure.

Financial Health Strong: The April treasurer’s report showed the library in a solid financial position. For the first ten months of the fiscal year, year-to-date income was 2% over budget, while expenses were at only 73% of the budgeted amount.

Temporary Check Signing Authorized: The new board approved a temporary measure allowing a single authorized signature on library checks. This change is valid only until the paperwork for newly appointed check signers is fully processed by Wintrust Bank, ensuring that payments can continue without interruption during the transition.