Earlville Library District Board Meeting Minutes
6:00 PM Tuesday, January 20, 2026
On January 20, 2026, the meeting of the Earlville Library District Board was called to order by President Ann Hecathorn at 6:04 p.m. at the library.
Present for the meeting were board members: Ann Hecathorn, Mary Bender, Stephanie Eller, Ben Hoffman, Skip Nanzer, and Janice Wolff. Also present was Director Paige Frechmann.
Review of agenda: No additions or changes were made to the agenda.
Public participation: No public participation occurred.
Review of minutes from previous meeting: Janice Wolff motioned to accept the minutes from the November 2025 meeting, Skip Nanzer seconded the motion, and the motion passed with a unanimous voice vote.
Financial report: Paige pointed out that the library’s insurance has gone up, and that she will call the insurance provider to see if we are able to get a better price. Ann Hecathorn motioned to accept the financial report; Ben Hoffman seconded the motion. The motion passed with a unanimous roll-call vote.
Library director’s report: Paige reported that patrons have been experiencing various issues with the new eBook app (Palace Project), and that there are differences between the Android version and the iPhone version. Paige also reported that she will go to LaSalle County’s in-person opioid antagonist training, which will provide the library with their opioid antagonist (Narcan) to have on hand, and the other librarians will be able to complete a virtual training session. The board members were also provided a web link for optional library advocacy training. After some trials with the post office almost not receiving their own mail, Paige successfully renewed the library’s post office box.
New business: The library has received donations from a few individuals and also in memory of board member Kathy Eager – Paige discussed the possibility of using the donated money to purchase a TV to display information for library programs, and to fund some new programs. The board also discussed different ideas to honor the memory of board member Kathy Eager. The library’s air circulation was discussed, and Paige will pursue investigating new ceiling fans and replacement vent covers as ways to more equally distribute air flow and temperature within the library. The board discussed potential new members to appoint to the vacant board seat – Ben Hoffman motioned that the board appoint Matt Johnson, and Ann Hecathorn seconded the motion, followed by a unanimous voice vote on behalf of the board. LaSalle County’s Statement of Economic Interest form was circulated, and all board members contributed their information to the form. The board and Paige agreed to hold off on gutter cleaning until the weather improves in the spring. Paige discussed with the board her proposed staff policy for breastfeeding mothers – the board agreed with the proposed policy, so Paige will draft the policy language and the official vote on the policy will occur at the next meeting.
Unfinished business: Ben Hoffman investigated the elevator phone and can install a line through his company using money from the library’s risk management budget. Mary Bender motioned to accept this course of action, Janice Wolff seconded the motion, and the motion passed with a unanimous roll-call vote. Paige provided the board with historical minutes chronicling previous window repairs dating as far back as 2010, and is still waiting to hear back from one company with their proposed scope of work and a quote. Janice Wolff motioned for Paige to contact Stanley Steamer to have the library’s carpets professionally cleaned, Stephanie Eller seconded the motion, and a unanimous roll-call vote had the whole board approve this course of action. The board decided that Paige should reach out to US Waterproofing to complete the basement water damage repairs. Ann Hecathorn made the motion, which was seconded by Janice Wolff and approved with a unanimous roll-call vote. After further discussion, the motion was amended to put US Waterproofing’s quote for replacing the drywall back as part of the work agreement (rather than contracting out for someone else to do that repair later). Paige is still waiting for the certificate from September’s elevator inspection, and the board determined that since no further action can be taken on the elevator sump pump alarm, this item can be removed from the agenda moving forward. Paige will submit the paperwork for the Per Capita Grant, as well as create a new checklist based on the new Illinois Public Library Standards.
Items for the next agenda:
- Further window/sealant discussion
- Updates on carpet cleaning
- Updates on basement (moving forward with US Waterproofing)
- Updates on elevator inspection
- Update and voting on new breastfeeding policy
- Installing the new board member
- Updates regarding air circulation solutions
- Further discussion of donation money
The motion to adjourn was made by Ann Hecathorn, and Janice Wolff seconded the motion. The motion was passed with a unanimous voice vote and the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Next meeting date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Earlville Library District.