The Beecher Public Library District Board of Trustees learned of a significant state grant award and finalized the schedule for a window replacement project during its monthly meeting on July 22. The meeting, originally planned for July 17, was rescheduled due to a lack of a quorum. Library Director Jill Grosso announced the district will receive a $10,013.78 Per Capita Grant from the Illinois Secretary of State’s office to support services. For more on this, see our full story.

The board also heard that new windows are set to be installed at the library on August 1. This capital improvement project is expected to be completed in one day. You can read more about the installation in our detailed report. In addition to these main topics, the board approved routine financial reports and heard committee updates.

Director Reports Positive Trends
Library Director Jill Grosso provided a favorable report on the library’s performance over the past month. She noted an increase in circulation and highlighted successful programs that were offered for both adults and children. The update pointed to strong community engagement with the library’s services, though specific statistics were not presented during the meeting.

School Start Dates Announced
Trustee Shelia Oppenhuis reported key dates for the start of the new school year during the committee reports portion of the meeting. According to her update, teachers will return for professional development on August 13 and 14. Students will begin their school year with a half-day session on Friday, August 15.

Board Approves Finances and Minutes
The Board of Trustees, led by President Shirley Biery, unanimously approved routine financial matters. Following a review, the board approved the treasurer’s report for June 2025 and authorized the payment of outstanding bills without any changes. The minutes from the previous meeting on June 17, 2025, were also accepted as presented.