Macon Reporter

Village of Forsyth Public Library, Library Commission met April 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

Call to Order

Call to order at 1:04 p.m. by Ken Kirchner

Roll Call

Mary Jo Rowley

Chris Kopeika

Laura Reimer

Becky Wayne

Ken Kirchner

Absent

Mary Jane Linton

Lisa Peck

Also Present

Melanie Weigel, Library Director

Minutes

Motion made by Mary Jo Rowley to accept the meeting minutes for the January 8, 2025 meeting. Seconded by Chris Kopeika. Motion carried on voice vote; all members present voting yea.

Public Comment

None

Old Business

None

New Business

• We discussed the Long Term Strategic Plan for FPL. We went over the library’s SWOT analysis including Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. The Library Director, Library Staff, and Library Commission each shared their ideas. The goal is to see what we want to focus on in the next 5 years.

Librarian’s Report

• We discussed the Illinois Public Library Annual Report and the Per Capita Report.

• FPL Plant Swap will be May 3rd from 10 am to 12 pm.

• Conxxus will be the library’s internet service beginning in late May or early June.

• Each time a patron checks out from May 1 to May 14, they will be given a chance to win St. Louis Cardinal tickets.

• FPL is hosting a Microtransit Takes You Places informational meeting on May 6.

• The library will close at noon on May 7 for a Staff Professional Development Day.

• The 160th Forsyth Celebration will be hosted by the library on May 13. Activities will take place all day.

• Monthly kids’ clubs and Story Time will wrap up in April. Kids’ Yoga class and Story Time will take place at the Main Park throughout the summer. Summer Reading Kick Off Party is May 31 from 10 am to 12 pm.

• Patron card registration as of January 31 includes 1,368 adults and 145 juveniles. The January 2025 patron count is 2,988 which is 355 more than January 2024. Circulation for January 2025 is 4,216 which is 284 more than January 2024. Materials checked out by Non-Forsyth Patrons is 1,759. Materials checked out by Forsyth patrons at other libraries is 313.

• Patron card registration as of February 28 includes 1360 adults and 144 juveniles. The February 2025 patron count is 2679 which is 178 less than February 2024. Circulation for February 2025 is 3678 which is 78 less than February 2024. Materials checked out by Non-Forsyth Patrons is 1488. Materials checked out by Forsyth Patrons at other libraries is 198.

• Patron Card registration as of March 31 includes 1358 adults and 143 juveniles. The March 2025 patron count is 3839 which is 651 more than March 2024. Circulation for March 2025 is 4309 which is 579 more than March 2024. Materials checked out by Non Forsyth Patrons is 1768. Materials checked out by Forsyth Patrons at other libraries is 200.

Adjournment

The next library commission meeting is scheduled for May 14, 2025. Chris Kopeika moved to adjourn. Mary Jo Rowley seconded. The motion carried on voice vote; all members present voting yea.

Meeting adjourned at 2:33 p.m.

https://core-docs.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/5126/VOF/5646030/05.14.2025_Library_Commission_Meeting__2_.pdf