Peotone Library Board Amends Weather Emergency and Notary Policies

Peotone Public Library District Meeting | February 19, 2026

Article Summary: The Peotone Public Library District updated its operational frameworks by approving amendments to its notary policy and establishing new weather criteria for emergency library closings.

Policy Update Key Points:

• A new Weather Criteria Policy for emergency closings was approved with a specific notification amendment.

• The amendment mandates that library trustees must be directly notified of any emergency weather closings.

• The board also approved amendments to the library’s notary policy.

The Peotone Public Library District Board of Trustees updated several key operational policies during its regular meeting on Thursday, February 19, 2026, ensuring clearer guidelines for emergency weather closures and notary services.

The board reviewed a proposed Weather Criteria Policy designed to govern the emergency closing of the library during severe winter weather. Trustee Mary Jane Carlson motioned to approve the policy, but added a specific amendment requiring that the trustees be officially notified whenever the library executes an emergency closing. Trustee S. Dascenzo seconded the amended motion, which passed 5-0.

Additionally, the board addressed the library’s notary services. Trustee Dascenzo motioned to approve amendments to the existing notary policy. Trustee Carlson seconded the motion, which also passed unanimously.

Policy compliance was a recurring theme throughout the evening. During her Director’s Report, Library Director Sarah Ehlers brought the board’s attention to the need to regularly review Illinois Public Library Annual Report (IPLAR) standards to ensure the district remains in full compliance.