AGENDA - REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING

HIGHWOOD LIBRARY & COMMUNITY CENTER BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Location: Highwood Public Library Monday, April 22, 2024 – 7 P.M

1. Call to order

2. Roll call

3. Public comment from the floor

4. President’s report

   1. HB 4224 Treasurers Bond and Witness Slip

   2. Summary of ILA’s Trustee Forum workshop

   3. Open trustee positions and renewals

5. Secretary’s report

   1. Motion to approve minutes from March 19, 2024 regular meeting

6. Communication

7. Treasurer Report

   1. Review of Financials

   2. Motion to approve the April 2024 Invoices

8. Director’s report

   1. Public comment received via email and suggestion box

9. Committee reports

10. Old business

    1. Discussion of search for strategic planning consultant

11. New business

    1. Discussion of hosting a free work kiosk sponsored by the Lake County Workforce Development

    2. Motion to approve signing the MOU to host the work kiosk

    3. Discussion of Library Card design

    4. Motion to approve library card design

    5. Review of FY25 Board meeting calendar

    6. Motion to approve FY25 Calendar

    7. Discussion of the following policies: Meeting Room, Meeting by Electronic Means, Bloodborne Pathogens and Personnel policy

    8. Motion to approve the presented policies

    9. Discussion of the library as the Moraine Township early voting site

    10. Motion to approve becoming the early voting site

    11. Review second draft of the FY25 budget

    12. Motion to approve the FY25 budget

        
        

12. Executive Session 5 ILCS 120/Sec 2(c) 1

    1. Motion to approve items of action taken in executive session.

13. Adjournment

Next regular board meeting – please refer to the website for future meeting dates and location.

Board of T rustees

Lucy Ho spodarsky, President • Janell Cleland, Vice President • Catherine Regalado, Secretary • No ra Loredo, T reasurer Trustees: Bertha Chavez, Paul Martinez, Jaso n Muelver, Nancy Pastroff

Laura Ramirez, E xecutive Director directo r@ highwo odlibrary. o rg

1 0 2 H i g h w o o d A v e . • H i g h w o o d , IL 6 0 0 4 0 • www. h i gh w o o d l i b r a r y. o r g • 8 4 7 - 4 3 2 - 5 4 0 4

Highwood Library & Community Center Board of Trustees Regular Meeting – March 19, 2024

Present—Trustees: Bertha Chavez, Janell Cleland, Lucy Hospodarsky, Nora Loredo, Paul Martinez, Nancy Pastroff, Catherine Regalado; Laura Ramirez, Director

Absent: Jason Muelver

Ms. Hospodarsky called the meeting to order at 7:06 pm. Public Comments – None

President’s Report

Celebrate Highwood confirmed location and agreement for Mural Festival project.

City Manager discussed update to City Council regarding Library and City strategic plan with President and Director prior to Council’s packet release.

Secretary’s Report

Ms. Hospodarsky moved to approve the amended regular and executive session minutes as presented from February 26, 2024. Ms. Loredo seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. Treasurer will document open items/questions to streamline finance Q/A for board meetings and board packet will include Business Manager’s responses.

Communication

Four suggestion box comments were received related to programming and library configuration. It was noted suggestion box form should also be in Spanish. Director has a wish list if funds become available and could add different fireplace chairs to that. Saturday children’s crafts were popular so leadership team is considering shifting some events to Saturday. They are still evaluating best spot to hold family events.

Treasurer’s Report

Ms. Loredo presented the February financials and March invoices. The following items were discussed:

• 2 additional checks are included: third installment training for $2500 and contractor for

  $400, paid by grant. Register will be rerun and uploaded to Mar24 Board Packet.

• 2 checks were corrected to match register.

• Will investigate why sometimes health insurance bills don’t line up month to month.

• Director notes from 3/8 Ancel Glink consultation will be added to shared drive Legal folder.

  
  

  Ms. Loredo moved to approve March 2024 invoices as listed in the Check Detail plus additional checks for $2500 and $400, Ms. Hospodarsky seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

  
  

  Director’s Report

  Ms. Ramirez highlighted several items from her report.

• She expressed gratitude for volunteers who helped move items from City Hall back to Library after construction was completed.

• Collaboration with D112 to host training for parents while kids are able to use the library.

  
  

• HPHS Key Club has been an excellent partner. Their twice a week volunteering for drop-in homework help is popular.

• TAB gave PDHP valuable input via interviews.

• English language adult programming increased: book club relaunched, will be every ~5 weeks; Blind Date with a Book

• ESL programming flourishing with 47 students.

• Health Equity is starting a multi-week migrant women support group. Vaccination event was held in Waukegan.

• Staff are seeing hunger issues rise again.

• Staff have been discussing meeting rooms and Policy committee is working on policy and procedures. Three spaces are available, but Board Room is not visible to staff so cannot be reserved by public unless used with door open. Meeting Room B can be used. Working around programming use, public reservable hours would be MWF 12-5 Sat 2-5. Highwood residents may reserve ahead of time, and others can use for an hour if available. Staff can limit excess usage if addressed in policy. Limit to 1 reservation per day and 1 week ahead. Community Room has cameras and will be used to host organizations. Will also be where Board meets.

• Core Standards compliance is being evaluated including opening hours.

• Statistics report will be corrected.

• Director updated board on staffing changes and a safety concern.

Committee Reports

Finance: Committee met to work on draft FY25 budget. Final decision on accounting firm is still tabled.

Policy: met to work on several policies presented this month, and continues meeting regularly.

Old Business

Discussion on strategic planning consultant was tabled. Mr Muelver completed Kellogg class.

New Business

Ms. Regalado moved to approve the Public Comment and Posting of Agenda policies. Ms. Hospodarsky seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

Board reviewed first draft of the FY25 budget. It includes new vendors added over past year, and increase in line items where needed. Final budget will net $0 - still some adjusting to do. Landscaping costs were increased but will reassess. Electronic material costs are being researched (Hoopla, Boundless/eRead, Libby) and Director will bring recommendation to Finance committee. Budget with Grant Expenses will come to Board for approval in April.

Staff will post committee meeting minutes. Ms. Loredo will send Finance minutes to Ms. Guerrero, copying Director.

It was noted that D112 is providing racism sensitivity training to District staff and perhaps library staff could be included as appropriate.

Tcchnology consultant recommends migrating from Data443 Smart Shield to Faronic Deep Freeze. This software removes previous patron’s usage upon log-off of computer. TBS system exacerbated conflicts.

Ms. Regalado moved to approve purchase of Faronic Deep Freeze and start-up costs, Ms. Hospodarsky seconded, and motion carried unanimously.

Ms. Hospodarsky moved and Ms. Regalado seconded to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 8:32 pm.

Admin/Accounting Current Month

April 22, 2024 Library Updates

• FY25 organizational budget planning – Laura and Rebecca

• Staff evaluations are taking place - All

• Automated PTO system setup ongoing with revisions to system policies and training

  – Rebecca

• The Adult Services Manager started first interviews of candidates for the open Circulation Assistant position. – Alex

• Conducted three funder site visits this month: Anonymous Foundation, Community Catalyst and Endeavor Health – Laura, Diana G., Aurora, Yenny, Carolina, Viri, and Monica

  Records Retention  Gathering information from other libraries about digital records retention - Laura

  Building & Grounds • None

  Website & Technology  Faronics Technologies Deep Freeze is working well with the TBS system.

  Communications • None to Report

  Date	Attendee(s)	Description & Notes Re Implementation	Prof Dev Hrs
  03/07/24	Nessa Villarreal Diana G	Kellogg Leadership Session: Sharing Effective Feedback, Professor Ernest L. Duplessis Sr	4 hrs
  03/08	Yenny Avila, Alex Brotsos, Diana J Guerrero	LACONI Presents: I'm a Manager, Now What?	2 hrs
  03/12	Diana J Guerrero	1:1 with Tynisha Gardner	1 hr
  03/13	Nessa Villarreal	1:1 w/ Tynisha Gardner	1 hr
  03/14	Diana J Guerrero	The Charmm'd Foundation Leadership Academy: Peer Advisory Group (PAG) Discussion	2 hrs
  03/14	Laura Ramirez	OMA Training Webinar	2.0 hr
  3/19	Nessa Villarreal	1:1 w/ Tynisha Gardner	30 min
  3/21	Nessa Villarreal	Kellogg Leadership Sessions: 1- Principles of High Performing Boards w/Professor Liz Howard 2 - Managing Up w/ Professor Michele Rogers	4 hrs
  3/22	Yenny Avila	1:1 with Tynisha Gardner Session focused on best practices review for successful large community events	1 hr
  3/4/2024	Yenny Avila Monica Zohar	Lake County School Safety Conference 2024	7 hrs
  3/8, 3/15, 3/22	Yenny Avila Viridiana Gonzalez Monica Zohar	Conscious Ambassador of Trauma- Informed Care	9 hrs
  3/15	Yenny Avila Monica Zohar	Psychologist for Racial Justice Conference	5 hrs

  Personnel/Professional Development

  Grant Update
  Library Services
  Patron Services – Elementary Children (Program updates from Nessa and Diana W.)	Baby Storytime & Preschool Storytime – Nessa & Diana W. ¡Todos Juntos 1, 2, 3! – Diana W. STEAM Storytime (Aimed at 3rd – 5th Grades) – Diana W.

  • An Interim Report was submitted to Highland Park Community Foundation.

  • Community Catalyst VEAP Year 4 Application was submitted.

  • Grants budget reallocations and subsequent year’s applications prepared for ISL Project Next Generation and Community Catalyst.

  • The Annual Library Certification through Illinois State Library was completed.

  • The ILLINET Interlibrary Loan Traffic Survey through Illinois State Library was completed.

  • The library hosted an Adult Book Club in the middle of March. The club discussed the new book Remarkably Bright Creatures. The group will meet again on April 17th, as it hopes to gain monthly momentum. – Alex

  • Adult Services has slightly adjusted the way to process and catalog new materials by having newer staff do some book processing with labels. Also, a barcode scanner has been added to a computer in the staff office to speed up the cataloging time and to make the computer desk area more suitable for detailed cataloging work. – Alex/Yuliya

  • A significant expansion to the collection for Young Adults has been added with new categories created for Spanish Individual Biographies and Spanish nonfiction. Staff will be receiving an extensive training in processing new materials. – Yuliya

  • We're excited to revisit our program schedules this summer to find the perfect times and dates that suit our patrons' needs even better. - 4 babies with caregivers

  • We conducted a survey to find out what times worked best for preschool storytime but the survey didn't yield the desired results. To address this, we'll be shifting Preschool Storytime to the evening after Todos Juntos to encourage more participation from patrons attending that event

  • An engaging workshop series designed to empower parents in preparing their little ones for Kindergarten! Our interactive sessions provide parents and caregivers with valuable insights, practical tips, and hands-on activities to make learning at home enjoyable and effective. Participants receive activity kits to enhance learning experiences at home. - An average of 5 adult participants per session.

  • This month we did a story with a Shrinky-Dink project to follow the story.

  • Participants were able to request printed pictures that they were able to trace onto the plastic sheet and then create their keychains, earrings, or hair clips. Shrinky Dinks are always a very popular activity, and patrons requested for us to do it again.

  • 8 participants

  

  1. Reading Buddies – Nessa - 5 participants

     Learning Partners: Homework Help/Tutoring Program – Diana W.

     • This program has been very successful with tutors and students meeting regularly.

     • Our learning partners have demonstrated remarkable flexibility in accommodating their students' schedules, making adjustments as needed for those with other commitments outside of the program.

       Homework Help with Key Club Members – Diana W.

     • This program has been incredibly successful! We've seen a significant increase in the number of students seeking tutoring and utilizing this free drop-in service.

     • We had an average of 6 participants drop-in for this service each time it is offered.

       

       Art Activity by TAC – Diana W.

     • The Art Center of Highland Park’s presenter, Heather, was able to guide participants on how to make their very own rock islands, using clay and model magic.

     • Diana offered patrons white Model Magic and guided them in creating various colors of air-dry clay using washable markers. They explored different color combinations by coloring the Model Magic with various colors. With Heather's assistance, they crafted a variety of creatures including starfish, dolphins, and other fun creatures. - 17 participants

       

       Author Visit: Janea Harris – Nessa & Diana W.

       • Local author Janea Harris came to read one of her wonderful books, “All Girls Have Sup-HER Powers, The Power of Voice”, to celebrate Women’s History Month.

       • As part of the event, we offered a crown decoration station, empowering coloring sheets, and giveaways including a coloring book, temporary tattoos, posters, and journals for all participants. Additionally, each patron received a complimentary copy of each of her books, with many requesting autographs.

       • Janea also engaged in a meaningful conversation with a teen and her mom about the process of becoming an author and getting published. - 12 particip.

         

         Family Movie Mania – Diana W.

     • March 16: We kicked off our Family Movies with “Trolls Band Together” with 29 patrons present at 1 pm, anxiously awaiting our movie.

       

     • March 25: 20 participants for The Super Mario Brothers Movie

     • Kids were excited to sit with their friends and watch a movie together. The library provided Skinny Popcorn and Capri Suns as snacks and drinks for the movie.

       

     • March 29th: Sing 2 Sing-Along with 37 participants

     • Favorite quote “WE GET TO WATCH A MOVIE IN THE LIBRARY!” Tim, our volunteer, brought homemade brownies to share with everyone! :)

       

       Astronomy Under City Lights w/The Lake County Astronomical Society – Nessa

     • Despite the chilly and cloudy weather, we had a fantastic turnout at our event. Community members were walking around, curious about our activities, and it was a great experience for both parents and kids alike.

     • One parent expressed their happiness about the event, mentioning how it provided their family with another hobby or career opportunity to explore. With about 9 telescopes set up, the main focus was on observing the Moon and Jupiter, and we even caught a glimpse of Orion's belt before the clouds rolled in.

     • Richard, who assists with setting up these events, shared, “We had a great time also! It is very fulfilling to see a turnout like that. I was also very impressed with the police officers, especially Officer Brandon, who helped us find a workable solution to the crowded parking lot.” I am pleased to see this positive interaction, as I have been focused on building a strong relationship with our officers in Highwood.

        65 participants

       Author Visit: Darcy Day Zoells – Nessa & Diana W.

       • What a blast! Hosting visiting authors is always an exciting experience. Darcy Day Zoells' book “The New Bicycle,” available in both languages, has rarely seen any time on the shelves. One patron even brought her flowers as a token of appreciation!

       • We organized a scavenger hunt, a coloring page station, a pipe cleaner bicycle activity, and even a yarn bicycle craft. The kids were thoroughly engaged, and the scavenger hunt added an extra element of fun as they explored the space. Diana did an amazing job reading along in Spanish with author Darcy Day Zoells.

         18 participants

         Outreach – Diana W.

       • The Park District of Highland Park invited the Highwood Library to help run their Craft Table at their Easter Egg Hunt event. – 115 participants

       • Diana led the crafting of fun rabbit sticker magnets provided by the park district and rabbit ear pipe cleaner bracelets supplied by the library.

         Note from Nessa

     • A huge shout-out to my amazing team for consistently creating engaging and enjoyable programs for our young library patrons. I've noticed how Lauren effortlessly connects with our teens, while Diana excels at making our younger visitors feel valued and encouraging them to explore and have fun in our space.

     • We're also focused on improving participation in programs like Pre-School Storytime. We're experimenting with different dates and times to better suit the needs of our community members, so stay tuned for updates!

     • With Summer Reading on the horizon, we're gearing up for some exciting initiatives to get everyone involved in more ways than just reading. Can't wait to see what's in store.

  
  

  Patron Services—Teen (Program Updates from Nessa & Lauren)

  Teen Advisory Board – Lauren & Nessa

• Attendance: Mar 2nd – 5 members & Mar 16th – 11 members

• On March 2nd, TAB members selected movies that they were interested in viewing during future programming.

• On March 16th, TAB members provided their book recommendations to the library. Two members worked together to write a book review of the Hobbit in Spanish!

  

  Teen Advisory Board: Volunteer Opportunities – Nessa & Lauren

• TAB members are often provided volunteer opportunities to connect with, support, and give back to our community. After their meeting on March 16th, TAB members helped all departments with book shelving and shelf reading, starting up a new community puzzle, as well as assisting with preparations for Craft Cafe.

  

  Maker Series: STEAM Powered Teens - Nessa & Lauren

• On March 4th, Nessa guided teens in sewing fabric coasters and headphone cord wraps. Teens enjoyed expressing themselves through fabric choices and learned how to operate the sewing machines. – 4 participants

  

  • On March 11th, teens learned how to utilize the GlowForge for the first time and learned how to make bookmarks out of wood. – 9 participants

  • On March 18th, teens gathered in the makerspace to learn how to create light-up acrylic signs! Teens designed and edited images using the GlowForge software before sending them to the machine to print. There was a lot of interest in this program and the sign etching had to roll over into Tuesday, which generated more interest in the Maker Monday program series. - 13 participants

    

    
    

    Teen Craft Café – Lauren

  • This month: Slime Making – 24 participants

  • Slime-making was a huge success! Teens loved being able to customize their goop with glitter, food coloring, beads, and other inclusions. Vinnie stepped up and turned into a slime chemist and assisted Lauren in correcting ingredient ratios for slimes that had gone awry.

    

    
    

    Book Buffet – Lauren

  • This month, we are discussing books with black & white covers. – 1 participant

  • Manuel enjoyed the themed black & white activities which included ink drawings, crosswords, and word searches after a brief discussion about books.

    
    

    Teen Hours – Lauren & Diana

  • This month we did a variety of crafts using CDs! – 10 participants

  • Teens were interested in being able to participate in a craft that allowed and encouraged them to be a little destructive! Mosaic style crafts required that teens snap CDs into tiny pieces, and the teens had a blast testing the different ways in which a CD could be broken! They then were able to incorporate the shards onto their painted canvases.

    

    Anime & Manga Club – Lauren

  • This month, we did a mochi taste test! – 21 participants

  • Mochi was a huge hit with the teens! The 60 pieces of mochi were gone within the first 30 minutes of the program! Teens voted on their favorite flavors and there was a tie between mango and strawberry!

    

    
    

    Writing Club – Lauren

  • This month, the writing club decorated their writing journals (journals provided by the library). – 3 participants

  • Pastel paints and Sanrio characters were the top performers at the journal decorating event for Writing Club on March 21st!

    

    Patron Services— Adults Program (Updates from Alex Janet, Yuliya, Aurora)

    HLCC Book Club

    Our Book Club for adults met around the fireplace to discuss the book, Remarkably Bright Creatures. The group hopes to keep the momentum going by meeting monthly. Next month’s book is Braiding Sweetgrass - 2 participants

    
    

    US Citizenship Test Prep – Aurora

    • There are four applicants preparing for their citizenship interview. One of them is waiting for the interview date and the other three are gathering the required documents to submit the application.

    • We have six potential applicants who will meet with attorneys from the North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic during the Naturalization clinic on Saturday, April 6th

    • 12 meetings this month

      
      

      High School Diploma Preparation (GED) – Aurora

    • This month we had an average of three students consistently attending class.

    • Despite experiencing lower attendance since moving our GED classes to Mon/Wed, we've witnessed remarkable progress among consistent attendees. Several students have been diligently taking exams and advancing swiftly through the program.

    • This month, our students have completed a total of four tests, with three passing successfully. Although one test was unsuccessful, we're encouraged by their dedication.

      

    • Excitingly, we now have two students who are only one step away from obtaining their HS Diploma. They only need to pass the Math test to achieve this milestone.

      
      

      ESL – Aurora

    • Basic ESL: Morning - We had an average of 12 students consistently attending class.

    • This month students focused on creating sentences and rearranging short stories. They worked individually, as partners, and as a whole group to create a short story. They were amazed by what they could do with the basic vocabulary learned in class.

      

    • Basic ESL: Evening - We had an average of 7 students consistently attending class.

    • Students who are consistently attending are gaining confidence speaking in the second language.

      

      • Intermediate/Advanced ESL: Morning - This month we had an average of 3 students consistently attending class.

      • While attendance dipped due to students returning to their spring-summer jobs and family commitments, we're taking proactive steps to ensure everyone can participate. Starting June 6th, we're shifting the class to the evening, making it more accessible. Additionally, we're getting ready to introduce a conversation corner soon, offering a casual space for students to engage and practice without the commitment of a class. We're optimistic that these changes will reignite enthusiasm and encourage greater participation!

        Intermediate/Advanced ESL: Evening - This month, our evening class maintained an average of 8 students consistently attending.

      • Our conversational class continues to build trust and a safe learning environment. Students come to class ready to share past experiences, ask questions about the words they don’t understand, and learn from each other.

        

        Computer Classes – Aurora

      • This month, we saw an average of 8 students consistently attending the Basic level class until the final session on 3/13. All students expressed disappointment about the break and requested that we continue the program!

      • In the Advanced level class, we had an average of 3 students consistently attending. This group delved into topics such as Canva and Google Slides, and expressed interest in classes focused on website creation.

      • On their final day of class, students celebrated with pizza and snacks, engaging in conversations about their diverse needs. They appreciated the library for providing a space where they could gather, share knowledge, and access resources.

        

        Health Equity All programs

        conducted in Spanish.

        Counseling

    • There has been an increase in the need for mental health one-on-one sessions in the evenings and Saturdays. There is a need for long-term care due to the level of complex trauma that clients are disclosing, however, there is the limitation of services due to a lack of insurance or income stability.

    • Clients are sharing the following as they are processing their termination session:

    • “Today as I am closing my therapeutic process, I am leaving here with important tools to put myself as a priority and to honor what I need. Before I used to put everyone before me and I felt depleted and exhausted. During my therapeutic process, I had the opportunity to learn important skills to cope with my anxiety symptoms. I feel happy and more relaxed”

    • “I remember the first day I came I was feeling anxious about my situation, and I didn’t know what to do. Now I feel more relaxed because I learned a lot about myself, and I found strategies to use when feeling anxious. Thank you for the services you provide”. - 135 sessions, 50 clients served

      Case Management - Viri

    • Our case manager continues to provide essential case management to our community members including translations, filling out school forms, assisting with housing requests, medical appointments, etc.

    • During March, we continued to have an increase in clients with housing needs and food insecurity. One such client is a family that recently arrived in Highwood from Colombia. The family had their first contact with the Church of the Redeemer, church staff then contacted our case manager to provide interpretation and other support. From there, our case manager was able to connect the family with assistance to food, clothing, and enrolling the kids in school. - 30 clients served

      Adult Support Group - Yenny

    • Community members brought topics for this month that included a need for psychoeducation on: stress and stress management, defining attachment and the different attachment styles, suicide and conversation about death/life, healthy relationships (how are these impacted by cultural messages, boundaries, US laws, Domestic Violence and DCFS involvement). – 17 total participants this month

    • We have had more consistency with attendance in the group after changing the time to 5:30pm. Participants shared that the 30-minute shift from 5pm allows them to get to the library safely without rushing and stressing. Another change was to remove the topic on our marketing material in an effort to have an open invitation to attend and bring the topics and concerns in mind.

    • We are grateful to have Angela who is completing her internship for her Master’s in Social Work. She has taken the role of co-facilitating the group sessions and providing psychoeducation to group participants.

      Emotional Health for Migrant Women Support Group: Community Members

    • The end of March marks the first month of this group. – Average of 6 participants per session.

    • A participant shares with us “I feel optimistic and curious to discover which emotions I have been holding back on feeling because of different experiences I've had.”

    • Participants reported to have learned how to distinguish if they’re coping with emotions in a healthy way and to have discovered different types of self care, what works for them in order to have good mental health.

      Charlas con Propósito/Conscious Conversations – Carolina & CHWs

      • LGBTQIA+ Youth 102: Rainbow Mental Health came to share valuable information with us.

      • Two new participants came very interested in this topic. Upon entering the library, they said they were a little afraid and embarrassed. But when they left, they said they liked the presentation and that it had been very helpful, especially because they learned about the LGBTQ+ topic. They left with a lot of energy, and Bety, one of our CHWs, shared flyers and information about Health Equity and Adult Education programs with them. They left very happy, and in the end, they told Bety that because of her kindness, they will continue coming to the library and will participate in Zumba classes. – 18 participants

        

      • Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Rocio Sanchez, a Latina nurse from the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN), gave aa very informative talk about what sexually transmitted diseases are, the types of diseases, and the resources available in Lake County for the community. Participants asked several questions; One of the questions was, "What is the difference between HIV and HPV?" She answered as clearly as possible, clarifying the difference between each disease. The talk on venereal/sexually transmitted diseases was very enriching and educational. – 14 participants

        

      • Learn About College Bound Opportunities (CBO): They recruit high-performing high school students who are motivated to attend college. Six schools in the area benefit from these scholarships.

      • A lady who was present at this talk shared with us that one of her nephews entered this program and is now an accountant. She says he benefited greatly from this program and recommends it. – 10 participants

        

      • Osteoporosis Workshop presented by Rosalind Franklin: During this workshop, 18 people received an osteoporosis exam. The nurse who gave the presentation talked

        about what osteoporosis is, why it's important, and how we can prevent it. She provided resources and explained the significance of the numbers from the bone density test they had in their hand. They also shared calcium vitamins with them. The library provided snacks rich in calcium and vitamin D to provide examples of the kind of fruits and veggies that can help prevent osteoporosis. – 18 participants

        

        Zumba

      • Our CHW and certified Zumba teacher, Oralia Vergara, has maintained a welcoming, safe, and empowering space for people to gather and participate in Zumba.

      • A woman who started participating in most of the library's programs was leaving one of the “Conscious Conversations” and expressed that when her sisters invited her to go to Zumba, she would say no because she was already very tired from work and didn't feel like it. However, after seeing the change in her sisters' lives and their insistence, she decided to join Zumba. Since that day, she hasn't missed a Zumba class, mentioning that she no longer feels too tired to attend and has much more energy. One of her sisters commented that her blood pressure numbers have improved, and her doctor has said that her health is now very good.

      • An average of 21 participants attending this month. (Total 63)

        

        Rosalind Franklin University

      • The mobile clinic does an exceptional job providing timely results and is very welcoming, compassionate, and professional. We are very grateful for this resource.

      • A young woman came for a physical exam because she didn't know where to go and doesn't have health insurance. Besides getting her physical exam at the event, she received the Covid-19 vaccine. She also took the opportunity to attend some classes offered by the library. She left very happy to see all the services available in this community because where she lives, there are no such services, or at least she said she doesn't know of any.

      • A lady who doesn't know how to read or write asked a CHW for help filling out her form to get her physical exams done. She had been invited to a Kidney event in Waukegan for kidney tests but since she doesn't drive, she came to get her physical exams here because they were close to her home, and she could walk here.

      • 30 Health Screenings, 3 Flu Vaccine, & 2 Covid-19 Vaccines

        

        Walgreens Vaccination Event

      • This vaccination event was held in collaboration with Roberti Community House. Kidney tests were conducted for 95 individuals, and various vaccines were offered, including: Covid-19, Hepatitis, Shingles, Tetanus, HPV, Pneumonia, Meningitis

      • It was a highly successful event, with over 10 organizations from Lake County offering their resources.

      • 8 Covid-19, 10 Hepatitis, 15 Shingles, 10 Tetanus, 4 HPV, 4 Pneumonia, & 1 Meningitis = A total of 52 vaccines administered.

        

        Resource Events

      • The library’s Community Health Workers attended an event in Gurnee, where the Mexican Consulate was present from March 5th-9th. We were able to share information about the resources offered by the library and 2 individuals approached the resource table to inquire about English classes.

      • Approximately 120 flyers about the library's programs were distributed.

        

        Community Feedback Given to CHWs

      • A mother of 3 was very amazed by how beautiful and transformed the library is. She has lived in Highwood for over 30 years and says she is happy about this change. Even though the library wasn't beautiful when she was young, now her children can enjoy it. She told me she will bring them more often, starting with the movies of the month in March, and she will also attend the health groups.

        
        

        Sanando el Alma en Comunidad |Mental Health Awareness & Education - Erika

      • FACEBOOK LIVE | Cultivating Mental Well-being in Teenagers: We discussed practical strategies and tips for parents and guardians, focusing on supporting young individuals towards strong mental health. Viewers learned how to recognize warning signs, how to encourage effective communication, and build emotional resilience in our teens. The goal was to empower viewers with knowledge and tools

        to positively impact the mental well-being of the teenagers in their lives. 11 Peak Live Viewers, 346 People Reached.

      • Sleep Well to Live Better: The goal of this workshop was to enhance participants' sleep quality by offering practical advice and effective techniques to address sleep issues and optimize nighttime rest. Attendees learned to improve their sleep, leading to increased energy and overall well-being in their daily lives.

      • During this workshop, participants expressed gratitude for the “Sanando el Alma” program and how it positively impacted their well-being. While saddened by its conclusion, they were encouraged to explore other programming options such as support groups. One participant emphasized the importance of the Tuesday discussions as a valuable sanctuary for learning self-improvement tools in a safe and supportive environment. 5 participants

      • Strengthening Self-Esteem in Our Children: Parents were empowered with the knowledge and practical tools needed to actively support the development of healthy self-esteem in their children. This included strategies to nurture confidence and resilience, enabling children to approach challenges with assurance and positivity. 4 participants

      • Discovering the Inner Child: Healing Emotional Wounds: Participants were introduced to the power of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) as a simple and effective tool for reducing stress and anxiety. Attendees learned how to apply this technique to improve their emotional well-being and navigate daily challenges with increased calmness. 11 participants

        

        PAZ Y CALMA - Erika

      • This program offers participants meditative and mindfulness practices to find peace and calm. – average of 10 participants (20 total)

        Coaching - Erika

      • With the conclusion of the coaching program, the coach quickly pivoted to ensure a seamless transition for clients, ensuring that clients felt supported as they wrapped up their sessions positively.

      • Clients received personalized support to foster confidence in their ongoing growth journey, while the coach curated additional resources and program recommendations to sustain their progress. Each client received personalized guidance to help them integrate the tools they learned into their daily routines, empowering them to continue their personal growth journey

    
    

    Board Meeting Open Items

    • None

    Other Updates • None

    The Friends of the Highwood Public Library

• The Friends is planning fundraising and donor stewardship initiatives they will work on throughout FY25 to support programming of the Library.

4:16 PM Highwood Public Library & Community Center

04/17/24 Balance Sheet w/Prior Month Comparison

Accrual Basis As of March 31, 2024

Mar 31, 24 Feb 29, 24 $ Change % Change

ASSETS

Current Assets Checking/Savings

10000 ꞏ CASH & INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS

May '23 - Mar 24 Budget $ Over Budget % of Budget

Ordinary Income/Expense Income

41000 ꞏ GENERAL REVENUES

Mar 24 Feb 24 $ Change % Change

Ordinary Income/Expense Income

41000 ꞏ GENERAL REVENUES

Mar 24 Feb 24 $ Change % Change

53000 ꞏ PROGRAMMING

Type Date Num Source Name Memo Class Amount Balance Ordinary Income/Expense

Income

41000 ꞏ GENERAL REVENUES

41300 ꞏ Grants

41320 ꞏ Temp. Restricted Grant Programs

Type Date Num Source Name Memo Class Amount Balance

Total 52200.1 ꞏ A/V - Adult 103.78 103.78

52200.2 ꞏ A/V - Children/Juvenile