Trustee Judy Koch stepping down
by Melanie Jongsma
LANSING, Ill. (March 28, 2022) – After fifteen years of service on the Lansing Public Library Board of Trustees, Judy Koch is ready for retirement. The former high school teacher and long-time director of All God’s Children Preschool served many of her Library Board years as Treasurer.
“The Lansing Public Library is sad to lose such a vital part of the organization,” says Library Director Lisa Korajczyk.
Filling the vacancy
Koch’s retirement leaves an opening on the Library Board that can be filled by appointment. The appointed replacement would fulfill the remainder of Koch’s term, which ends in 2025, and then could choose to run for election to a full six-year term.
The Lansing Library Board of Trustees is inviting interested qualified Lansing residents to submit a letter of interest.
Qualifications
Under Illinois law (75 ILCS 16/) Public Library District Act of 1991, all persons interested in becoming a library trustee must meet the following criteria:
- They have lived in the community for at least one year
- They have paid their library taxes
- They have not been convicted of a felony
Responsibilities
The Library Board oversees the Library Director, who consults with the Board about programming and finances. The Library Board is responsible for reviewing and approving the library’s budget each year and approving all expenditures. In recent years, the board approved a number of rehabilitations and improvements for the Lansing Public Library, the most recent of which was a remodel of the youth section in the basement. The library also serves as a community gathering space for tutoring groups, Village commissions, candidate forums, and many more groups and events.
“As a Library Trustee,” Koch said during her most recent re-election, “I was privileged to be a part of the building of the new exterior of the library building as well as the transformation of the library interior, parking lot, and landscaping.”
A full Library Board has seven members. They meet once a month and are not paid.
Submissions
Letters of interest should be submitted no later than May 2, 2022, by 7:45 p.m. Letters may be brought to the library and delivered by hand to Library Director Lisa Korajczyk, or emailed directly to [email protected].
The Library Board of Trustees has indicated they look forward to meeting a variety of interested residents for the position. They will choose a candidate who best understands the mission and goals of the Lansing Public Library.
The Lansing Public Library is located at 2750 Indiana Avenue, Lansing, Illinois.
Related
- Candidate info: Library Board Trustees (March 2019)
