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.
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.
November 2024
November 14 Finance Committee Agenda
October 2024
September 2024
September 9 Long Range Planning Committee Agenda
September 24 Finance Committee Agenda
August 2024
July 2024
July 1 Building Committee Agenda
July 17 Finance Committee Agenda
June 2024
June 24 Building Committee Agenda
May 2024
April 2024
April 9 Finance Committee Agenda
March 2024
March 5 Finance Committee Agenda
February 2024
January 2024
January 9 Finance Committee Agenda
No Regular Board Meeting was held this month.
January 2023
February 2023
March 2023
March 11 Special Library Board Agenda
March 23 Special Library Board Agenda
April 2023
May 2023
June 2023
June 21 Building Committee Agenda
July 2023
August 2023
No meeting was held this month.
September 2023
October 2023
November 2023
December 2023
January 2022
February 2022
February 8 Board Meeting Recording Session 1
February 8 Board Meeting Recording Session 2
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
April 2022
April 12 Board Meeting Recording
May 2022
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 Executive Session Minutes
June 2022
June 14 Board Meeting Recording
July 2022
July 12 Board Meeting Recording Session 1
July 12 Board Meeting Recording Session 2
August 2022
September 2022
September 13 Board Meeting Recording
October 2022
October 11 Board Meeting Recording
Condition Assessment of Excedra (curved bench at Deerpath Road)
October 29 Special Meeting Agenda
October 29 Special Meeting Minutes
November 2022
Addendum to November 8 Board Meeting Correspondence Report
November 8 Board Meeting Recording
November 12 Search Committee Meeting Agenda
November 12 Search Committee Meeting Packet
November 12 Search Committee Meeting Minutes
November 17 Search Committee Meeting Agenda
December 2022
December 12 Search Committee Meeting Agenda
January 2021
January 12 Board Meeting Recording
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 Board Meeting Recording
April 2021
April 13 Executive Session Board Minutes
May 2021
May 4 Special Meeting Recording Session 1
May 4 Special Meeting Recording Session 2
June 2021
June 8 Board Meeting Recording Session 1
June 8 Board Meeting Recording Session 2
June 8 Executive Session Minutes
July 2021
August 2021
August 30 Building Committee Meeting: Dome & Rotunda Prioritization Agenda
August 30 Building Committee Meeting: Dome & Rotunda Prioritization Minutes
September 2021
October 2021
October 12 Board Meeting Recording
October 19 Building Committee Meeting Agenda
October 19 Building Committee Meeting Recording
October 19 Building Committee Meeting Minutes
November 2021
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
January 2020
January 14 Services Committee Meeting Agenda
January 14 Services Committee Meeting Minutes
February 2020
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 11 Special Meeting Agenda
March 11 Special Meeting Minutes
April 2020
April 27 Special Meeting Agenda
April 27 Special Meeting Packet
April 27 Special Meeting Minutes
May 2020
May 12 Executive Session Board Minutes
May 19 Special Meeting Minutes
May 26 Nominating Committee Meeting Minutes
June 2020
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 Meeting Recording, password 4Z!rV+#^
August 2020
August 3 Special Meeting Agenda
August 3 Special Meeting Packet
August 3 Special Meeting Recording
August 3 Special Meeting Minutes
August 11 Meeting Recording, password LakeForest1!
September 2020
September 8 Board Meeting Recording
October 2020
October 13 Board Meeting Recording
November 2020
November 10 Board Meeting Recording