Library Board

Upcoming Board Meetings

This event is in the "Adults" group.
This event is in the "Everyone" group.

Library Board Meeting

6:30pm - 8:00pm
Adults, Everyone
This event is in the "Adults" group.
This event is in the "Everyone" group.

Library Board Meeting

6:30pm - 8:00pm
Adults, Everyone
This event is in the "Adults" group.
This event is in the "Everyone" group.

Library Board Meeting

6:30pm - 8:00pm
Adults, Everyone

 

Send a message to the Board

Board of Trustees
Lake Forest Library
360 E Deerpath Rd
Lake Forest IL 60045

The nine-member Library Board, established by City Ordinance in 1898, governs the Library pursuant to the bylaws. The members of the Board are selected by the Caucus and appointed by the Mayor with approval by the City Council. Trustees serve a maximum of two three-year terms. Officers are elected annually in July.

The Board meets on the second Tuesday of each month. The public is welcome to attend. Your comments and suggestions are always welcome. For guidelines on how to participate, please see our Public Comment at Board Meetings Policy.

Individuals with disabilities who require certain accommodations in order to allow them to observe and/or participate in Board meetings, or who have questions regarding the accessibility of the meetings or the facilities, are requested to contact the Library Executive Director at 847-810-4602 promptly to allow the Library to make reasonable accommodations.

 

Jim Clifton

President

Second term ends June 2027

Interests, passions, hobbies

  • Traveling with my wife and kids
  • Platform tennis
  • Reading

My favorite thing about libraries

I've always appreciated the fact that this singular building in a community can attract the attention of those young and old and allow anyone to pursue their passion for knowledge. The library is a unifying place: whatever an individual's need for a library may be, there is an underlying thread that brings us all together.

Why I serve on the Board

Since moving to Lake Forest in 2016, our family has enjoyed becoming ingrained in this amazing city. Given the intersection of my belief in servant leadership along with the unique challenges the Library is facing, my hope is that my background can bring significant value to the Board and staff to further advance the mission of this wonderful institution that we've come to know and love.

JoAnn Desmond

Vice President

Second term ends June 2026

Interests, passions, hobbies

  • Reading and being a lifelong learner
  • Preserving our environment, treasuring our open lands, and taking a peaceful and restorative walk through the Middlefork Savanna

My favorite thing about libraries

Libraries play a critically important role in a healthy and vibrant community. Beyond being a repository of books and countless resources, they are a foundation for lifelong learning from birth through old age. The library is more than a welcoming and gathering place for all ages: it serves a dynamic and vital role in creating the joy of learning new things and a social setting to build community.

Why I serve on the Board

As a career educator and retired school superintendent, I view the library as an extension of everything that is the mission of our schools except that the population served starts at birth and continues throughout one's lifetime. It was the perfect segue for someone with a passion for lifelong learning and a desire to serve the community. I hope to contribute in some small way to assure that we continue to have a world-class library and 21st century programming services for our entire community.

Vince Sparrow

Treasurer

First term ends June 2027

Interests, passions, hobbies

  • Reading, particularly history
  • Gardening
  • Gaming, including with historical miniatures

My favorite thing about libraries

I have always enjoyed reading and spending time in libraries, including being able to do so virtually now, exploring different topics, authors and experiences. Just walking among the stacks fills me with a sense of amazement of the extent of our collection knowledge and experience. And I really enjoyed teaching my children to read and watching them explore the world of books in the children's section.

Why I serve on the Board

I realize what a special place Lake Forest is and how wonderful a gift our forebears have provided us in the physical and cultural presence of the Library. I have served on several boards, all with the goal of giving back to this city and our residents. I hope that we can continue to build on our Library's history and its great offerings.

Emily Van Bel

Secretary

First term ends June 2026

Interests, passions, hobbies

  • Travel
  • Music
  • Cooking
  • Being outside

My favorite thing about libraries

I love sitting in libraries with a book—getting lost in far-off lands, having no sense of time or what is happening around you ... there is something magical about libraries. They are where our imaginations and reality join forces; walking through the library halls is as if each story comes alive, jumping off the pages and calling out as you walk by. To me, libraries are places where every thought and every daydream seems possible!

Why I serve on the Board

Libraries are so much more than repositories of books; they are vibrant hubs for knowledge, connection, and cultural enrichment. As a Board member, I look forward to helping preserve and expand the Library's services, making it an inclusive space for all members of our community. Our Library is an extraordinary place—a place that is woven into the fabric of our community in so many ways, and I look forward to helping preserve the sanctitude it holds within our community. I am eager to help this vital community space continue to thrive and adapt to the ever-evolving needs and interests of the people it serves.

Josh Jackson

Trustee

First term ends June 2025

Interests, passions, hobbies

  • Spending time with my family
  • Music
  • Golf

My favorite thing about libraries

I have amazing childhood memories of going to the library with my parents and brothers. As a community center, it was a place to experience music, arts, and the wonder of picking through the stacks and learning about new things. For me, libraries were a springboard to a lifelong passion of exploring and learning.

Why I serve on the Board

Libraries are an important community asset—a place to learn, inspire, and entertain for community members of all ages. Serving on the Board is an opportunity to ensure that these benefits will be delivered to future generations.

"JJ" John F. Johnson

Trustee

Second term ends June 2026

Interests, passions, hobbies

  • Music
  • Reading
  • Perennial gardening

My favorite thing about libraries

Reading pages and documents on a screen is possible, but holding a book is still a special way for me to learn. Having this extraordinary place in our community with a knowledgeable staff offers an opportunity for all ages to take a deeper dive into subjects that stretch our minds, whether you use a book or digital media.

Why I serve on the Board

Since my youth, libraries have always attracted my thirst for learning. After observing so many volunteers and leaders helping over the past thirty years, it was time for me to take a turn in serving.

Garth Pearson

Trustee

First term ends June 2027

Interests, Passions, Hobbies

  • Reading, especially current events and science fiction
  • Biking, swimming, and hiking
  • Giving back to the community

My favorite thing about libraries

Libraries are a community cornerstone. More than just a repository of books and a building, they are vibrant hubs of knowledge and a community for life-long learners from young children to well-seasoned users.

Why I serve on the Board

I believe it is essential to give back to the community that has supported my family over the years. By contributing to the tradition of a well-managed library, I aim to enhance its value for Lake Forest residents, ensuring it remains a safe-haven for intellectual exploration. Additionally, I am committed to preserving the Library's historic and culturally significant building while helping it adapt to the community's evolving needs for diverse tools and services.

Bob Shaw

Trustee

First term ends June 2025

Interests, passions, hobbies

  • Governance models and practices in organizations
  • Lifelong learning with active participation
  • Yoga and biking
  • Family and travel

My favorite thing about libraries

I have fond memories of learning the Dewey Decimal System and trips to the library as a child. I was capitvated reading "The Library Book" by Susan Orleans, and I enjoy observing how libraries are adapting to changes in technology, research, communications, and human socialization.

Why I serve on the Board

I believe American libraries are a primary cornerstone of community. I am passionate about bringing my lifetime experience to serve on our Library Board, with the desire to increase our Library's value to all residents through program and facility enhancements. With a background in consulting, construction, and management, I look forward to listening, learning, analyzing, challenging, and supporting my Board colleagues and Library staff with current and proposed initiatives.

Heather Strong

Trustee

Second term ends June 2027

Interests, passions, hobbies

  • Playing board games and visiting museums
  • Perusing auction catalogs
  • Watching my yard bloom

My favorite thing about libraries

I remember getting my first library card, learning how to find a book on my own, and later covering a table in books doing research for school projects. You can learn anything at a library. Recently I attended storytime with my children, which led them to make the Library the destination for their first "on their own" bicycle ride. Discovering, sharing, learning together—the Library is the place.

Why I serve on the Board

Being an architect with large project experience, I am acutely aware of the complexities of the Library’s Capital Improvement Project and the importance of a thoughtful design process. Architects are uniquely trained as critical thinkers, multi-taskers, and problem solvers. I look forward to serving my community in this capacity.

 

Meetings & Minutes

About the BoardBoard Members

Board Meetings are open to the public

This event is in the "Adults" group.
This event is in the "Everyone" group.

Library Board Meeting

6:30pm - 8:00pm
Adults, Everyone
This event is in the "Adults" group.
This event is in the "Everyone" group.

Library Board Meeting

6:30pm - 8:00pm
Adults, Everyone
This event is in the "Adults" group.
This event is in the "Everyone" group.

Library Board Meeting

6:30pm - 8:00pm
Adults, Everyone

The Illinois Open Meetings Act provides in Section 2.06 that at meetings of public bodies, "any person shall be permitted an opportunity to address public officials under the rules established and recorded by the public body." 5 ILCS 120/2.06(g).

The Board of Trustees welcomes public participation. This policy provides the following rules and guidelines for public participation at its meetings.

Individuals attending board meetings must conduct themselves with respect and civility toward others. Abusive, profane, threatening, or harassing language and/or personal attacks will not be permitted. The Board President or presiding officer may prohibit further comment at the meeting by a speaker whose remarks violate this rule.

Public comments are permitted during the time designated on the Board of Trustees meeting agenda, unless otherwise directed by the Board President.

The Board President determines the order in which speakers will be recognized.

When recognized by the Board President, the speaker should begin by stating his or her name and address.

Public comments will ordinarily be limited to three (3) minutes per speaker. The Board President shall have discretion to modify this time limit, as well as to limit repetitive comments. Members of the public will not be allowed to speak a second time until all members of the public who wish to speak have been allowed to do so. The Board President will determine whether second public comments will be permitted, and if so, the appropriate amount of time for public discussion, and will end public comment at his/her discretion.

Board members are not obligated to respond to comments from the public. Issues requiring possible action by the board may be added to a future meeting agenda, and issues that can be addressed by library administration will be noted.

A copy of these guidelines will be placed next to the sign-in sheet made available to members of the public at the entrance to board meetings.

Petitions or written correspondence directed to the board shall be presented to the board by the Board President or secretary at the next regularly scheduled board meeting.

Minutes are a summary of the board’s discussion and actions. Speaker requests to append written statements or correspondence to the minutes are not favored. Generally, written materials presented to the board will be included in the library’s files rather than in the minutes. The Board President shall have the authority to determine procedural matters regarding public participation not otherwise defined in these guidelines.

The following example may be used:

Opportunity to Address the Board of Trustees of Lake Forest Library

Name:

Address:

Telephone:

City/State/Zip code:

I represent:

General topic or concern:

I have read, understand and will abide by the Public Comment at Meetings Policy governing my participation at this meeting.

Signature:

Date:

Adopted by the Board of Trustees on February 13, 2018.

Board Documents

Recording links expire after one year. For access to archived recordings, please send us a message.

January 2023

January 21 Notice of Quorum

 

February 2023

February 6 Notice of Quorum

February 9 Notice of Quorum

February 14 Agenda

February 14 Board Packet

February 14 Board Recording

February 14 Board Minutes

February 21 Notice of Quorum

February 28 Notice of Quorum

 

March 2023

March 1 Notice of Quorum

March 6 Notice of Quorum

March 11 Special Library Board Agenda

March 14 Notice of Quorum

March 14 Board Agenda

March 14 Board Packet

March 14 Board Recording

March 14 Board Minutes

March 23 Special Library Board Agenda

 

April 2023

April 11 Board Agenda

April 11 Board Packet

April 11 Board Recording

April 11 Board Minutes

April 13 Notice of Quorum

 

May 2023

May 9 Agenda

May 9 Board Packet

May 9 Board Recording

May 9 Board Minutes

 

June 2023

June 13 Agenda

June 13 Board Packet

June 13 Board Recording

June 13 Board Minutes

June 21 Notice of Quorum

June 21 Building Committee Agenda

 

July 2023

July 11 Agenda

July 11 Board Packet

July 11 Board Recording

July 11 Board Minutes

 

August 2023

No meeting was held this month.

 

September 2023

September 5 Notice of Quorum

September 12 Agenda

September 12 Board Packet

September 12 Board Recording

September 12 Board Minutes

 

October 2023

October 10 Agenda

October 10 Board Packet

October 10 Board Recording

October 10 Board Minutes

 

November 2023

November 14 Agenda

November 14 Board Packet

November 14 Board Recording

November 14 Board Minutes

 

December 2023

December 12 Agenda

December 12 Board Packet

December 12 Board Recording

December 12 Board Minutes

 

January 2022

January 11 Agenda

January 11 Board Packet

 

February 2022

February 8 Agenda

February 8 Board Packet

February 8 Board Meeting Recording Session 1

February 8 Board Meeting Recording Session 2

February 8 Board Minutes

February 8 Executive Session Minutes

February 15 Building Committee Meeting Agenda

February 15 Building Committee Meeting Recording

February 15 Building Committee Meeting WJE Presentation Slides

February 15 Building Committee Meeting Minutes

 

March 2022

March 8 Agenda

March 8 Board Packet

March 8 Board Minutes

 

April 2022

April 12 Agenda

April 12 Board Packet

April 12 Board Meeting Recording

April 12 Board Minutes

 

May 2022

May 10 Agenda

May 10 Board Packet

May 10 Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc. Dome Presentation

May 10 Board Meeting Recording Session 1

May 10 Board Meeting Recording Session 2

May 10 Board Minutes

May 10 Executive Session Minutes

May 25 Notice of Quorum

 

June 2022

June 14 Agenda

June 14 Board Packet

June 14 Board Meeting Recording

June 14 Board Minutes

 

July 2022

July 12 Agenda

July 12 Board Packet

July 12 Board Meeting Recording Session 1

July 12 Board Meeting Recording Session 2

July 12 Board Minutes

July 25 Notice of Quorum

 

August 2022

August 13 Notice of Quorum

 

September 2022

September 13 Agenda

September 13 Board Packet

September 13 Board Meeting Recording

September 13 Board Minutes

September 14 Notice of Quorum

 

October 2022

October 11 Agenda

October 11 Board Packet

October 11 Board Meeting Recording

Condition Assessment of Excedra (curved bench at Deerpath Road)

October 11 Board Minutes

October 15 Notice of Quorum

October 29 Special Meeting Agenda

October 29 Special Meeting Minutes

 

November 2022

November 8 Agenda

November 8 Board Packet

Addendum to November 8 Board Meeting Correspondence Report

November 8 Kenneth Itle, Associate Principal, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. presentation regarding Dome Repair Project

November 8 Board Meeting Recording

November 8 Board Minutes

November 9 Notice of Quorum

November 12 Search Committee Meeting Agenda

November 12 Search Committee Meeting Packet

November 12 Search Committee Meeting Minutes

November 16 Notice of Quorum

November 17 Search Committee Meeting Agenda

 

December 2022

December 12 Search Committee Meeting Agenda

December 13 Agenda

December 13 Board Packet

December 13 Board Meeting Recording

December 13 Board Minutes

January 2021

January 12 Agenda

January 12 Board Packet

January 12 Board Meeting Recording

January 12 Board Minutes

January 21 Special Meeting Agenda

January 21 Special Meeting Packet

January 21 Special Meeting Recording

January 21 Special Meeting Minutes

 

February 2021

February 1 Special Meeting Agenda

February 1 Special Meeting Packet

February 1 Special Meeting Minutes

February 1 Special Meeting Recording: Open Session 1

February 1 Special Meeting Recording: Open Session 2

 

March 2021

March 9 Agenda

March 9 Board Packet

March 9 Board Meeting Recording

March 9 Board Minutes

March 15 Notice of Quorum

 

April 2021

April 5 Notice of Quorum

April 6 Notice of Quorum

April 12 AM Notice of Quorum

April 12 PM Notice of Quorum

April 13 Notice of Quorum

April 13 Agenda

April 13 Board Packet

April 13 Board Minutes

April 13 Executive Session Board Minutes

April 17 Notice of Quorum

 

May 2021

May 4 Special Meeting Agenda

May 4 Special Meeting Packet

May 4 Special Meeting Minutes

May 4 Special Meeting Recording Session 1

May 4 Special Meeting Recording Session 2

May 11 Agenda

May 11 Board Packet

May 11 Board Minutes

 

June 2021

June 8 Agenda

June 8 Board Packet

June 8 Board Meeting Recording Session 1

June 8 Board Meeting Recording Session 2

June 8 Board Minutes

June 8 Executive Session Minutes

 

July 2021

July 13 Agenda

July 13 Board Packet

July 13 Board Minutes

July 26 CIP Poll Presentation

 

August 2021

August 10 Agenda

August 10 Board Packet

August 10 Board Minutes

August 30 Building Committee Meeting: Dome & Rotunda Prioritization Agenda

August 30 Building Committee Meeting: Dome & Rotunda Prioritization Minutes

 

September 2021

September 14 Agenda

September 14 Board Packet

September 14 Board Minutes

 

October 2021

October 12 Agenda

October 12 Board Packet

October 12 Board Meeting Recording

October 12 Board Minutes

October 19 Building Committee Meeting Agenda

October 19 Building Committee Meeting Recording

October 19 Building Committee Meeting Minutes

 

November 2021

November 9 Agenda

November 9 Board Packet

November 9 Board Minutes

November 4 Finance Committee Meeting Agenda

November 4 Finance Committee Meeting Packet

November 4 Finance Committee Meeting Recording

November 4 Finance Committee Meeting Minutes

 

December 2021

December 14 Agenda

December 14 Board Packet

December 14 Board Minutes

January 2020

January 14 Agenda

January 14 Board Packet

January 14 Board Minutes

January 14 Services Committee Meeting Agenda

January 14 Services Committee Meeting Minutes

 

February 2020

February 11 Agenda

February 11 Board Packet

February 11 Board Minutes

February 11 Services Committee Meeting Agenda

February 11 Services Committee Meeting Minutes

February 19 Special Meeting Agenda

February 19 Special Meeting Packet

February 19 Special Meeting Minutes

 

March 2020

March 10 Agenda

March 10 Board Packet

March 10 Board Minutes

March 11 Special Meeting Agenda

March 11 Special Meeting Minutes

 

April 2020

April 14 Agenda

April 14 Board Packet

April 14 Board Minutes

April 27 Special Meeting Agenda

April 27 Special Meeting Packet

April 27 Special Meeting Minutes

 

May 2020

May 12 Agenda

May 12 Board Packet

May 12 Board Minutes

May 12 Executive Session Board Minutes

May 19 Special Meeting Agenda

May 19 Special Meeting Packet

May 19 Special Meeting Minutes

May 26 Nominating Committee Meeting Minutes

 

June 2020

June 9 Agenda

June 9 Board Packet

June 9 Board Minutes

June 9 Executive Session Board Minutes

June 22 Special Meeting Agenda

June 22 Special Meeting Packet

June 22 Special Meeting Minutes

June 22 Special Meeting Recording, password 6r%v5*K1

June 29 Special Meeting Agenda

June 29 Special Meeting Packet

June 29 Special Meeting Minutes

June 29 Special Meeting Executive Session Minutes

 

July 2020

July 14 Agenda

July 14 Board Packet

July 14 Meeting Recording, password 4Z!rV+#^

July 14 Board Minutes

 

August 2020

August 3 Special Meeting Agenda

August 3 Special Meeting Packet

August 3 Special Meeting Recording

August 3 Special Meeting Minutes

August 11 Agenda

August 11 Board Packet

August 11 Meeting Recording, password LakeForest1!

August 11 Board Minutes

 

September 2020

September 8 Agenda

September 8 Board Packet

September 8 Board Meeting Recording

September 8 Board Minutes

 

October 2020

October 13 Agenda

October 13 Board Packet

October 13 Board Meeting Recording

October 13 Board Minutes

 

November 2020

November 10 Agenda

November 10 Board Packet

November 10 Board Meeting Recording

November 10 Board Minutes

 

December 2020

December 8 Agenda

December 8 Board Packet

December 8 Board Meeting Recording

December 8 Board Minutes