Meeting Minutes July 2026

Belleville Area District Library
Meeting Minutes
July 14, 2026

  • Call to Order: Chair, Sharon Peters called the meeting to order at 7:32
  • Roll Call: The following board member were present: Joy Cichewicz, Dan Fleming, Maria Jackson-Smith, John Juriga, Sharon Peters, Linda Priest, Tanya Stoudemire Also present: Library Director Mary Jo Suchy, Library Assistant Nikki Pickeral
  • Approve Agenda: Motion by Juriga, seconded by Priest. The motion carried unanimously.
  • Approve June 9, 2026 Minutes: Motion by Priest, seconded by Cichewicz. The motion was carried unanimously.
  • Public Comments: Independent’s new reporter Emily Flesh thanked everyone for having her.
  • Committee Reports:
    A. Building: No Report
    B. Bylaws: No Report
    C. Finance: No Report
    D. Outreach: No Report
    E. Personnel: No Report
    F. Policy: No Report
    G. Art (Montour): No Report, Peters commented that she attended the Memory Café Art Show Reception and is please to see programs blending into the art display. The art is so joyful.
  • Approve Accounts Payable: Motion by Cichewicz, seconded by Stoudemire. Motion carried unanimously.
  • Director’s Report: Suchy reported that in the director’s report she included spreadsheets for the end of the fiscal year that includes numbers from the past three years to compare. She pointed out that circulation and library visits are down but the program numbers are up. The number of patron’s visiting the Sumpter Branch are up as well as computer use there. Teen and youth computer use has increased over the past year. The library staff has successfully sent out the first edition of the new online newsletter. Sign up for the digital newsletters has increased after the first launch. The library is getting close to rolling out the new website. Suchy is going to call on the policy committee to discuss new policy in preparation of this roll out. Suchy went over the 2026 Mid-Year Goals update. Fleming asked is there are any goals the board can assist with. Suchy answered that she will be reaching out to the Finance Committee and will circle back to the Outreach Committee about creating a strategic plan for the library.
  • Trustee Comments:
    Juriga: Encouraged everyone to enjoy the Thursday, music at Horizon Park. It has grown in attendance with people dancing in the street. Magic Bus band is performing July 30th, they have a Woodstock feel.
    Fleming: Praise for the library staff! There was a particular DVD about WWII and the greatest generation he was looking for that was not available through the catalog. Library staff were able to locate a copy and get one for the collection.
    Priest: Wants to brainstorm ways to become a better ambassador for the library and promote services and programs the library provides. How can the board help to bring more of the community in?
    Cichewicz: Commented on the sign by the elevator promoting the library’s different book clubs. It is great to see that we have six different groups that have a wide variety of books and themes.
    Stoudemire: Was happy to attend the board meeting tonight.
    Jackson-Smith: Her six year old is currently attending the Van Buren Schools Summer Camp and can’t wait to come back to the library.
  • Chair Comments:
    Is now on the Belleville Area Newspaper Foundation. Most communities have lost their local newspapers but our paper has survived due to the hard work and dedication to one person who has kept it going for 30 years. In order to ensure the future of this paper it was decided to change to non-profit status. There is a fundraiser coming up on Thursday, July 16th at the BYC, from 6pm to 8pm. It is an excellent time to show support for the community and the newspaper.
  • Adjournment: Motion to adjourn by Juriga, seconded by Fleming. The meeting adjourned at 8:36 pm.

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