Members Present: Jennifer Doll, Jim Leonard, Heather McMullen, Holly Perry, James Phillips, Jolese Rogers
Members Excused: Amy Wise
Also Present: Ann Hutchison, Director; Josh Brickner, Fiscal Officer; Melissa Futrell, Deputy Fiscal Officer; Judge Diana Stevenson; Judge Scot Stevenson; Carolyn Cheatham; Kenneth Cheatham; Tyrell Jenkins; Debi Rogers; Joseph Rogers, Jr.
President Doll called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Judge Diana Stevenson administered the oath of office to Rogers and Phillips.
"Do you solemnly affirm that you will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Ohio and that you will faithfully and impartially discharge your duties as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Barberton Public Library, Summit County, Ohio, to the best of your ability, and in accordance with the laws now in effect and hereinafter to be enacted, during your term of office?" Their replies were "I do."
Debi Rogers entered the meeting at 6:32 p.m. The Stevensons left the meeting at 6:33 p.m. The remaining guests left and McMullen entered the meeting at 6:34 p.m.
Hutchison reported that the Friends of the Library would hold their annual Mum Festival book sale on September 25-26, 2026, and that the Friends had donated approximately $2,400.00 to purchase an early literacy computer station for the Children’s Department.
Doll appointed the following committees for the remainder of 2026:
Building and Equipment – Leonard (Chair), Phillips, and Rogers
Finance and Audit – McMullen (CH), Perry, and Phillips
Personnel – Wise (CH), Perry, and Rogers
Summit County Trustees Council – Wise (delegate) and Doll (alternate)
Moved by Perry, seconded by Leonard, to accept the minutes of the August 2026 regular meeting and September 15, 2026 special meeting. Ayes: Leonard, McMullen, Perry, Phillips, and Rogers. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Director’s Report
Circulation: Hutchison reviewed the August 2026 statistics and there was a discussion regarding overall circulation and circulation trends.
Programs & Publicity: Hutchison distributed the publicity packet and highlighted several recent and upcoming programs.
Donations: Carl Edwards, Columbia-Southern Chemical Co. memorabilia; Dawna Gasper, Fraternal Order of Eagles memorabilia; Barbara Kirbawy, $100.00; David Tomich, U.L. Light Jr. High School class photos, 1959 & 1961; Anonymous (Magic Mayhem attendee), $20.00.
Moved by McMullen, seconded by Perry, to accept the donations. Ayes: Leonard, McMullen, Perry, Phillips, and Rogers. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Mission Moment: Hutchison shared recently released data from the Institute of Museum and Library Services citing that Ohio led the nation in library checkouts in Fiscal Year 2024, reflecting a strong library culture in Ohio.
Other: Hutchison shared information about several outreach events and community collaborations, as well as updates about the library building and recent job postings.
Fiscal Officer’s Report
The Public Library Fund tax distribution for August 2026 for the Barberton Public Library was $95,015.84.
Brickner reviewed the financial reports, bank reconciliations, reappropriations, and bills paid for the month of August 2026.
Moved by Leonard, seconded by Perry, to accept the financial reports, bank reconciliations, reappropriations, and bills paid for the month of August 2026. Ayes: Leonard, McMullen, Perry, Phillips, and Rogers. 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.
Summit County Trustees Council: No meeting was held.
Communications and Correspondence
OLC Legislative Update: Hutchison shared that members and staff of the Ohio Library Council joined Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine at the Governor's residence on September 23, 2026 for an event celebrating Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Ohio, a program that Mrs. DeWine has championed as a priority since the administration took office.
Community Correspondence: None.
Old Business
Hutchison informed the Board that she expected to present the Employee Handbook and Operating Manual at an upcoming meeting for approval.
New Business
Moved by McMullen, seconded by Perry, to accept the resignation of Children’s Librarian Abigail Geiser, effective September 10, 2026. Ayes: Leonard, McMullen, Perry, Phillips, and Rogers. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Moved by McMullen to adjourn the meeting at 7:01 p.m.