CARLI Board Minutes September 18, 2026

CARLI Board Minutes September 18, 2026

In-person and Via Zoom

Attendance:  Laurie Blandino (CARLI), Michelle Boule Smith (North Central College), Spencer Brayton (Waubonsee Community College), Carolyn Ciesla (Elmhurst University), Carrie Forbes (Illinois State University), Marlee Graser (Southern Illinois University Edwardsville), Steven Harris (Northeastern Illinois University), Terra Jacobson (Moraine Valley Community College), Dennis Krieb (Lewis and Clark Community College), Greg McCormick (Illinois State Library), Geoff Pettys (Southern Illinois University School of Medicine), Amanda Pippitt (Millikin University), and Rachelle Stivers (Heartland Community College)

Guests Attending: Sarah Zehr Gantz (University of Illinois System)

Staff Attending: Margaret Chambers, Elizabeth Clarage, Jessica Gibson, Michelle Haake, Jennifer Masciadrelli, Nicole Swanson, and Jenny Taylor.

Absent: Stefanie Bluemle (Augustana College)

Decisions

  • Minutes of the June 12, 2026, Governance Board meeting were approved prior to the meeting.
  • The Board approved changing the name of the Discovery Primo VE Committee to Discovery Primo Committee. An updated committee charge was also approved.
  • The meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

Announcements

  • The Board welcomed new members, Spencer Brayton (Waubonsee Community College), Carrie Forbes (Illinois State University), and Steven Harris (Northeastern Illinois University).
  • CARLI Staff presented the Annual Board Survey Summary of Results.
  • Margaret Chambers is retiring on September 30, 2026.
  • Elizabeth Clarage is retiring on December 31, 2026.
  • The call for volunteers for the I-Share Metadata Task Force has been sent.
  • The Calendar Year 2027 E-resources Selection Cycle is tentatively scheduled to be open on October 5.
  • The CARLI subscription to CELUS started on July 1, 2026.
  • Sixty CARLI members contributed $320,987 to the crowdfunding for the FY27 Ebook Program. 
  • Twelve member libraries were chosen to receive funding for OER projects from the CARLI Member OER Initiative.
  • Submissions for the Illinois Open Educator Award are being accepted through September 30, 2026.
  • The Professional Development Alliance welcomed a new member, Tenn-Share, Tennessee Library Consortium.
  • Registration is open for the CARLI Annual Meeting and Annual CARLI Directors’ Meeting being held on November 10 at the I Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign. A virtual option is also available for the Annual Meeting.

Tasks Assigned:

  • CARLI staff will research library standards and Illinois system requirements due to interest in tiered peer groups. A discussion will be added to the December 4 meeting agenda.
  • For future meetings CARLI staff will include discussion points within the agenda packet for updates when appropriate.

Upcoming Meetings

  • 2026–2027 Board meetings (CARLI Office, Champaign)
    • Friday, December 4, 2026
    • Friday, March 5, 2027
    • Friday, June 11, 2027
  • 2025–2026 Executive Committee meetings (via Zoom): 
    • Wednesday, November 18, 2026
    • Wednesday, February 24, 2027
    • Wednesday, June 2, 2027
  • 2026 Governing Directors Meeting, I Hotel, Champaign
    • Tuesday, November 10, 2026
  • 2026 CARLI Annual Meeting, I Hotel, Champaign
    • Tuesday, November 10, 2026