Members Present: Jennifer Doll, James Leonard, C. Racyne Leskanic, Holly Perry, Amy Wise
Members Excused: Kenneth Cheatham, Heather McMullen
Also Present: Ann Hutchison, Director; Josh Brickner, Fiscal Officer; Melissa Futrell, Deputy Fiscal Officer; Gretchen Quinn, Reference Services Manager
President Doll called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Hutchison reported that the Friends of the Library are holding a book sale on Saturday, February 28. The FOL approved donations for various Summer Reading Challenge purchases and are considering a donation to purchase a new AWE station for the Children’s Department.
Moved by Leskanic, seconded by Perry, to accept the minutes of the January 2026 Board meeting. Ayes: Leonard, Leskanic, Perry, and Wise. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Director’s Report
Circulation: Hutchison reviewed the January 2026 statistics, noting that passport applications saw a 55.6% increase over January 2025, and passport photos a 70.7% increase.
There was a question regarding the nearly 33% increase in circulation at CHL. Hutchison responded that the branch’s relatively low circulation results in small fluctuations in circulation having a large impact on the percentages.
Programs & Publicity: Hutchison distributed the January 2026 publicity packet and highlighted several recent and upcoming programs.
Donations: Gifts were received from the following individuals and organizations in January 2026: Joseph Egleston, Digital copy of his thesis, "Slovenia is our Mother, America our Bride: Slovenian Chain Migration to Barberton, Ohio from 1891-1914", to Local History; Rick Siegfried, Akron, Canton, & Youngstown and Akron & Barberton Belt in Color by Robert E Lucas, to Local History; Joseph Vernacotola, Assorted Barberton City School District records and memorabilia; The Estate of Elizabeth B. Wilson, $453.87 (final distribution).
Moved by Leskanic, seconded by Leonard, to accept the donations. Ayes: Leonard, Leskanic, Perry, and Wise. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Department Update: Quinn provided a Reference Department update, highlighting several services, events, community collaborations, and projects.
Other: Hutchison provided an overview of the Library’s annual Staff Development Day, held on Monday, February 16, 2026.
Hutchison noted that a new treasurer is needed for the Library’s Political Action (Levy) Committee.
Fiscal Officer’s Report
The Public Library Fund tax distribution for January 2026 for the Barberton Public Library was $91,661.81.
Brickner reviewed the financial reports, bank reconciliations, reappropriations, and bills paid for the month of January 2026.
Moved by Wise, seconded by Leskanic, to accept the financial reports, bank reconciliations, reappropriations, and bills paid for the month of January 2026. Ayes: Leonard, Leskanic, Perry, and Wise. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Brickner reviewed the 2025 Annual Financial Report, which has been submitted to the Auditor of State and will be advertised in the Barberton Gazette.
Resolution 4-2026 Moved by Wise, seconded by Leskanic, to adopt the 2026 estimated revenue and permanent appropriation budget of $2,541,255.30 as presented. Ayes: Leonard, Leskanic, Perry, 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: Doll provided a summary of the meeting held at 5:30 p.m. on February 26, 2026.
A meeting was scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 26.
Marketing Committee: No meeting was held.
Summit County Library Trustees Council: No meeting was held.
Communications and Correspondence
OLC Legislative Update: Hutchison reminded the Board that the Ohio Library Council’s annual trustee workshop is Saturday, March 7, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Other upcoming OLC events include Legislative Day on March 18 and the Northeast Ohio Trustee Dinner on May 7.
Community Correspondence: None.
Old Business
None.
New Business
Resolution 5-2026: Moved by Perry, seconded by Leskanic, to hire full-time Facility Services Manager Matthew Brown, effective March 9, 2026. Ayes: Leonard, Leskanic, Perry, and Wise. Nays: None. Resolution adopted.
Resolution 6-2026: Moved by Leonard, seconded by Leskanic, to approve the revised Page Job Description as presented, effective February 27, 2026. Ayes: Leonard, Leskanic, Perry, and Wise. Nays: None. Resolution adopted.
Moved by Leskanic to adjourn the meeting at 7:27 p.m.