The meeting commenced with public concern about the HVAC issues affecting the children’s room. A patron voiced disappointment about a library Instagram post hinting at the potential closure of this area due to air conditioning failures, stressing the library’s role as a crucial cooling center during the summer. The board acknowledged the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the library’s community importance. The facilities team is addressing the issue, having called in a technician to assess the HVAC system. The children’s room currently closes only when temperatures exceed 80 degrees for a prolonged period, while the library remains open. Staff, including Olivia and her team, are managing the situation by relocating patrons to other spaces and providing books upon request. Portable fans have been installed in the children’s room, with air conditioning running continuously over the weekends. However, uncertainty remains as the HVAC issue diagnosis has been pending since the previous Thursday. There was a question about using portable industrial air conditioning units, but it was clarified that the high ceilings might render such solutions ineffective.

Moving on, the board unanimously affirmed a statement of solidarity and support for the pride community.

The meeting then transitioned into details about the library’s summer programming. Olivia McElane, head of children’s services, presented an extensive list of upcoming events, including punk rock aerobics, vehicle day, a community garden party, and a collaboration with PorchFest featuring bands performing on the library lawn. A community art project led by a Boston-based artist will also invite participation from all age groups. The summer reading theme, “branching out,” aims to engage readers of all ages through themed reading parties and silent reading events. Olivia also elaborated on story times, which run regularly from September to April, with a focus on drop-in sessions during the summer due to lower attendance in May. These story times integrate essential skills like early literacy, math, and social-emotional learning, with visual calendars aiding children, particularly those on the autism spectrum, in processing transitions.

In a related discussion, the board reflected on the library’s storytime programs, which have seen community engagement. The library collaborates with the North Suburban Child Resource Network and a local mother’s group for a Mandarin storytime, which attracts over 60 attendees weekly. Themed storytimes conducted by library assistant Dena incorporate activities like cooking and art. Both registered and drop-in storytimes cater to different audiences, fostering community and early literacy skills among attendees. Attendance statistics highlighted the popularity of these programs, with 5,735 attendees recorded from September to April.

Policy discussions regarding lending services to residents of municipalities with descertified libraries were addressed. The urgency had lessened as some municipalities secured funding or passed overrides, negating the need for waivers. Some board members suggested potential refinements, particularly concerning in-library use rather than circulation, while concerns about Overdrive services were noted.

The meeting also covered Overdrive Advantage, highlighting priority access to digital materials for Noble library system members. The process for denying access was clarified, emphasizing the need for a written request, a protocol not yet tested. Discussions on taxpayer dollars and programming opportunities underscored the need for fairness.

Officer elections were conducted, with Kathy nominated to continue as chair, Pat Egan as vice chair, and Andrew Grimes as secretary, all receiving unanimous support apart from one abstention for the chair position. The fiscal year 2026 trustee meeting dates were proposed, with flexibility for adjustments, particularly during summer months when achieving quorum might be challenging.

Additional discussions included the holiday schedule for calendar year 2026, which was unanimously approved.

The meeting also touched on community engagement initiatives, such as a recent ice cream party involving trustees, staff, and alumni.” The popularity of sound-activated “Tonies” among children was noted, despite logistical challenges in processing the large quantity. Concerns about a decline in locker usage were addressed, potentially linked to a glitch in the Automated Materials Handling system. The board agreed to investigate further and consider increasing promotional efforts.

The director’s report highlighted positive feedback on the outdoor patio space, prompting discussions about adding more seating and shade to enhance the area. The board also noted an upcoming community garden party, with expectations for a successful event despite lower initial RSVP numbers.