Members Present: Kenneth Cheatham, Jennifer Doll, C. Racyne Leskanic, Heather McMullen, Amy Wise
Members Excused: James Leonard, Holly Perry
Also Present: Ann Hutchison, Director; Josh Brickner, Fiscal Officer; Melissa Futrell, Deputy Fiscal Officer; Chloe Zofchak, Marketing Services Manager
President Doll called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Hutchison reported that the Friends of the Library would be holding their next book sale on May 1 and May 2, 2026, and would not be accepting donations in May 2026.
McMullen entered the meeting at 6:31 p.m.
Moved by Leskanic, seconded by Cheatham, to accept the minutes of the March 2026 Board meeting. Ayes: Cheatham, Leskanic, McMullen, and Wise. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Director’s Report
Circulation: Hutchison reviewed the March 2026 statistics, noting that passport and notary services were both up over 2025.
Programs & Publicity: Hutchison distributed the March 2026 publicity packet and highlighted several recent and upcoming programs of note.
Donations: Gifts were received from the following individuals in March 2026: Cathy Andrella, Barberton, Ohio: The Magic City: Bicentennial Remembrance, Volume 2; Bonnie Ingram, Barberton memorabilia; Amber McPherson, Lake Anna tie tack pin; John Roman, Barberton memorabilia; Joseph Vernacotola, Assorted Barberton City School District records and memorabilia; Stephanie Birow Whims, Barberton memorabilia.
Hutchison highlighted some of the local history memorabilia that was donated the previous month, including items related to Barberton’s first and only female meter maid, Violet Ingram Price, items regarding Reverend John Wealon, and a Barberton High School diploma from 1927.
Moved by Leskanic, seconded by Wise, to accept the donations. Ayes: Cheatham, Leskanic, McMullen, and Wise. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Department Update: Zofchak provided a Marketing Department update, highlighting several recent accomplishments, campaigns, and promotions.
Zofchak left the meeting at 6:48 p.m.
Other: Hutchison shared an update on Library security, noting that she and other staff were working to identify solutions for better incident reporting and communication regarding incidents.
There was a discussion regarding the Library’s scheduled closure for the Independence Day holiday.
Fiscal Officer’s Report
The Public Library Fund tax distribution for March 2026 for the Barberton Public Library was $94,545.36.
Brickner reviewed the financial reports, bank reconciliations, reappropriations, and bills paid for the month of March 2026.
Moved by Cheatham, seconded by Leskanic, to accept the financial reports, bank reconciliations, reappropriations, and bills paid for the month of March 2026. Ayes: Cheatham, Leskanic, McMullen, and Wise. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Committee Reports
Building and Equipment Committee: No meeting was held.
Finance and Audit Committee: No meeting was held.
Personnel Committee: No meeting was held.
Moved by Wise, seconded by Cheatham, to move to executive session to consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of an employee or official at 6:54 p.m. Roll call: Cheatham, aye; Doll, aye; Leskanic, aye; McMullen, aye; Wise, aye. The meeting returned to regular session at 7:06 p.m.
Summit County Trustees Council: No meeting was held.
Communications and Correspondence
OLC Legislative Update: Hutchison reminded the Board that the Ohio Library Council’s annual Northeast Ohio Trustee Dinner would be held on May 7, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Independence.
Community Correspondence: Hutchison shared a thank you letter from the Barberton City School District for audio books donated to Barberton Primary School by the Library.
Old Business
None.
New Business
Moved by McMullen, seconded by Cheatham, to accept the resignation of Customer Services Library Assistant Kayla Semelsberger, effective April 11, 2026. Ayes: Cheatham, Leskanic, McMullen, and Wise. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Moved by McMullen to adjourn the meeting at 7:09 p.m.