Harvey library hires computer technician as contractors fill key roles following mass layoffs

This month, Harvey Public Library District approved a new hire to lead the information technology division as the short-term roles become increasingly common.

The individual was not named during the meeting.

This comes as Harvey Public Library District has quietly laid off key staffers in recent months, including the lead computer technician, director of the archives department, and interim director Kim Peake. 

A longtime employee, Peake was tapped to serve as interim director after the board fired Xavier Menzies in August 2023. 

According to a copy of Menzies’ termination letter, previously obtained by the HWH via public records request, the library conducted an internal investigation into Menzies over “suspected violations of the Library policies and state law,” and fired him on the basis of those findings. 

The next month, federal authorities indicted Menzies on four counts of wire fraud for allegedly embezzling nearly $800,000 from Markham Public Library, where he served for nearly a decade before becoming Harvey’s library director in 2021.

Weeks ago, the board approved Kisha McCaskill, Executive Director of the Harvey Park District and wife of library treasurer Anthony McCaskill, to be a “consultant” to the library in the absence of a full-time director, the HWH has learned.

The board itself has experienced shake ups over the past year. Yadira Garcia resigned in June 2023. The following month, the board approved the appointment of Keith Price, husband of President Tamika Price, to fill that seat.

And concerns over the library’s financial sustainability grow with the longtime absence of JoAnn Nesbitt, elected to a six-year term in 2019.

Up until 2023, Nesbitt served as treasurer. But Nesbitt hasn’t attended a meeting in months. It’s unclear why. 

Anthony McCaskill now serves as treasurer, according to the library’s website.

Finances and new business

The finance committee accepted the receipt of two state grants. 

The first, in the amount of $30,181.14, helps local libraries meet Illinois standards. The board specifically sought funds to “replace our servers,” President Price said.

The second is a technology grant for $27,500. One-hundred thirteen libraries were eligible statewide, according to a news release from the Illinois Secretary of State, which provided the funds.

In her library report, Melanie Baker, a contracted youth and adult services program manager, said grant money would be used to enhance services and attract younger patrons. 

“We will use it to get new servers, new computers, we are planning on getting Adobe Pro,” Baker said. “We have worked with the chess club to get new chess boards and are working on getting the coffee machine working again.”

The board tabled the treasurer’s report until the next finance meeting, with McCaskill saying he nor the board had the relevant papers available to them that evening. “I don’t want to report out something wrong,” treasurer McCaskill said.

Now, budget season arrives. The board is set to discuss the 2025 fiscal budget, roughly $1.65 million, according to treasurer McCaskill, at a public hearing on Tuesday, August 13, 6:00p.m. “We know we’re never gonna get the actual money from the tax levy to fulfill this budget, but if everything works out,” he said, that should be the next operating budget. The board will hold a regular meeting at 6:30p.m. to approve it.

Trustees approved the May meeting minutes and July bills list, in the amount of $55, 402.86. However, trustee Charwana Morgan abstained from a vote on both items with other members all voting in favor.

A representative was supposed to deliver a presentation for an entrepreneurship hydroponic shipping container, but was absent. The associated leasing agreement is still being negotiated, library attorney Maryclare Touhy said.

Library violating state’s transparency laws

During the public comment period, a community member expressed concerns about the legitimacy of the meeting minutes, which had not been posted for public inspection.

“I’m here to beg this board and if you ask me I will get on my knees, I will do it, I beg of this board to finally come in compliance with the OMA and get the meeting minutes written,” the Blue Island resident said, who later did not provide their name to the HWH. “It is your legal obligation.”

The library is currently violating an oft overlooked section of the Open Meetings Act. 

The state transparency law, which ensures public meetings remain accessible, requires municipalities post approved meeting minutes on its website within 10 business days. The library isn’t doing so, according to its website.