Newly elected Crete Library Board member Jackie McKethen said she looks forward to serving on the board and creating a safe space for members of the LGBTQ community.
McKethen took office Wednesday, becoming the first transgender person elected to a public library board in Illinois, according to Equity Illinois, a civil rights advocacy group. Two other members were also sworn in, Tim Brennan and Judi Boehner, who were reelected to the board.
“I’m very happy that the board seems to be accepting, which is certainly a plus,” McKethen said.
McKethen said she wants to create a safe space for LGTBQ teens and young adults to be themselves. LGTBQ teens and young adults need more spaces, especially in the south suburbs, to gather and meet with each other, she said.
McKethen said she’d like the board to approve some services for LGTBQ people and ensure the board protects books about the LGTBQ community.
“That’s what the kids need,” McKethen said. “I’m hoping this is going to be a great opportunity to instill some respect and so on for the LGTBQ community.”
Library executive director David Sieffert said he looks forward to working with McKethen as a board member because she will add a new perspective and voice.
“Having a variety of voices at the table is always a good thing,” Sieffert said. “I’m happy to have her joining us.”
Sieffert said libraries welcome everyone in the community and represents people of all backgrounds.
“The library is a place for everybody. It’s a nonpartisan place,” Sieffert said. “We’re trying to make sure we represent everybody in the community.”
Alex Gallegos, who was recently elected to the Crete-Monee Unit School District 201 Board, and his family attended the library meeting to watch McKethen be sworn in. Gallegos said McKethen came to the school board swearing in earlier this month, so he and his family wanted to show the same support.
He said he’s excited to see what McKethen will bring to the board.
“She often gets excluded from things because she’s different but she’s just as capable as anyone else. She has a good heart and nothing but nice things to say about anyone,” Gallegos said.
McKethen, 76, is a Vietnam War veteran, American Legion post vice commander and former Scout leader.
Library Board President Heather Van Zyl said she looks forward to working with McKethen and learning more about her goals and vision.
“As a board, it’s important to represent everyone in the community,” Van Zyl said. “It’s valuable for the board to be diverse in all ways.”
As the board discussed the 2023-2024 working budget, McKethen asked if the Park District charges the library for the story walk project, which is a partnership between the library and Park District to put up signs that tell a story while people walk outside.
Sieffert said the library pays for materials and the Park District pays for any costs associated with installment.
McKethen also asked for more details about outdoor programming pavilion and community garden that was on the agenda.
“I just wondered. I know we talked about it before, but want to know more,” McKethen said.
Sieffert said the library was left more than $250,000 from a library patron who passed away, so the board members agreed to use a portion of that money to build a pavilion in her memory. Once the pavilion is built, Sieffert said the goal is to establish programs such as arts and crafts, gardening and performances.
The library recently sought bids for construction of the pavilion, but only two companies submitted quotes and the cost was “significantly higher than we thought,” Sieffert said. Ideally, Sieffert said library officials can seek bids again late summer so construction can start in the fall.
Van Zyl said the board can wait a bit longer for the pavilion to be built.
“We’ve been patient this long, we can be patient a little longer,” Van Zyl said.