Atlanta Public Library Board receives good news

 

[June 15, 2018] 

The Atlanta Public Library Board received good news this week when they received the long awaited report from the office of the Secretary of State (SOS) regarding the Live and Learn Grant received back in May 2015.

It was in January 2015, the Atlanta Public Library (APL) Board applied for a “Live and Learn” grant program for the refurbishment and improvement of Illinois libraries. The APL was awarded the $25,000 for the purpose of repairing and refurbishing the Union Hall building located at 114 S. Arch St. in Atlanta.

The Union Hall property has been in use by the APL for public programs, children’s area, future site of the proposed Smithsonian display and program, and additional space for other library uses, programs and displays, in all serving as a centralized cultural center to the community and visitors for many years.

A watchdog group filed complaint with the Secretary of State about the Atlanta Library receiving that grant citing that there was insufficient evidence that the Atlanta Public Library owned or leased the Union Hall building at the time it applied for the grant.

The complaint also called to question the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act, where an individual holding a public office may not be involved in the contracting where he or she may have any interest or exert influence. The Union Hall property was owned by APL board member and treasurer, William Thomas.

On November 16th, 2017, APL board member William Thomas and his wife Christine donated the Union Hall property to the Atlanta Public Library.

On, October 23, 2017, the SOS issued a decision that the grant money needed to be returned, and gave the APL Board opportunity to appeal the decision.

On February 6th, 2018, the APL appealed the SOS decision and awaited the results.

The SOS released its findings on June 13th, 2018.

In regard to the Proof of Long-term Occupancy, the report stated that the Live and Learn grant was not given with the stipulation that the library own or lease the property, but that the library could demonstrate long-term occupancy and utilization of the space.

The SOS found that the Library Project Design that was submitted with the grant met the Proof of Long-term Occupancy requirement stipulated by the grant.

In an addition, the SOS report observed from board minutes that as a library trustee and the property owner, "Thomas did abstain from two votes regarding the disposition of the property." It was noted that Thomas did consult an attorney during the time he served on the board concerning his ownership of the property and position on the board.

Thomas was cleared of violating the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act. It was further noted that he resigned from the Library Board on January 31, 2018.

In the end, the report summarized that the use of the grant funds have led "to the desired result, in this case, that being a facility in Atlanta, IL, open to its patrons for use as a library and meeting hall." It concluded, "... the library should not be required to return the funds previously awarded the library in pursuit of its community goal."

[Jim Youngquist/with contributions by Jan Youngquist]