Regular Board of Trustees Meeting, June 26, 2025
Members Present: Jennifer Doll, James Leonard C. Racyne Leskanic, Terri Masich
Members Excused: Kenneth Cheatham, Heather McMullen, Holly Miller,
Also Present: Ann Hutchison, Director; Josh Brickner, Fiscal Officer; Melissa Futrell, Deputy Fiscal Officer
Vice President Doll called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Hutchison reported that the Friends of the Library will begin hosting two Donation Days per month, where community members may drop off donations that are too large for the donation bin in the Library’s lobby.
Moved by Leskanic, seconded by Masich, to accept the minutes of the April 24, 2025 Board meeting. Ayes: Doll, Leonard, Leskanic, and Masich. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Director’s Report
Circulation: Hutchison reviewed the April and May 2025 statistics, noting increased circulation of teen materials, as well as passport and notary services.
Programs & Publicity: Hutchison distributed the April and May 2025 publicity packets, noting increased attendance at Library programs and highlighting several recent and upcoming programs.
Donations: Gifts were received from the following individuals and organizations in April 2025: Becky Conway, Barberton Hospital memorabilia, c. 1983; Michael Ebhert, Map of Native Americans in the Western Reserve; Ruth Ann Pieger, Assorted Barberton memorabilia; The estate of Elizabeth B. Wilson: $30,083.29.
Gifts were received from the following individuals and organizations in May 2025: Akron Children's Museum, Summer Reading Challenge prizes; Akron RubberDucks, Summer Reading Challenge prizes; Applebee's, Summer Reading Challenge prizes; Durban Magic Freeze, Summer Reading Challenge prizes; East of Chicago Pizza, Summer Reading Challenge prizes; Kave Coffee Bar, Summer Reading Challenge prizes; Dan Kondik, 1949, 1955, and 1957 Cigams; Lake 8 Movies, Summer Reading Challenge prizes; McDonald's, Summer Reading Challenge prizes; Ramseyer Farms, Summer Reading Challenge prizes; Skoops Ice Cream, Summer Reading Challenge prizes; Karen Schwarm, 1947 and 1948 Cigams; Sonja Zachowski, 1973 and 1974 Cigams; Anonymous: $20.00.
Moved by Masich, seconded by Leskanic, to accept the donations. Ayes: Doll, Leonard, Leskanic, and Masich. Nays: None. Motion carried.
There was a discussion regarding the donation from the estate of Elizabeth B. Wilson.
Strategic Plan: Hutchison provided an update on the Strategic Plan, highlighting BPL’s ongoing outreach efforts and noting that the Facility Department Update and hiring recommendation to be presented later in the meeting also work to support aspects of the Strategic Plan.
Department Update: Brickner provided an update on the Library’s Facility Services Department, highlighting a renovation of the Library’s Reading Garden and other projects that have occurred within the Library. Brickner informed the Board that Facility Services Manager Tim Thrasher is investigating the installation of an emergency exit in the Customer Services Department workroom. An update regarding the HVAC replacement project was provided.
Other: None.
Fiscal Officer’s Report
The Public Library Fund tax distribution for the Barberton Public Library was $75,802.63 for April 2025 and $104,893.33 for May 2025.
Brickner reviewed the financial reports, bank reconciliations, reappropriations, and bills paid for the months of April and May 2025.
Moved by Leonard, seconded by Leskanic, to accept the financial reports, bank reconciliations, reappropriations, and bills paid for the months of April and May 2025. Ayes: Doll, Leonard, Leskanic, and Masich. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Brickner presented the Board with the 2026 Tax Budget, explaining that the tax budget is the first estimate of the Library’s finances for the upcoming year, which must be submitted annually to the Summit County Budget Commission. Resolution 18-2025 – Moved by Masich seconded by Leonard, to accept the 2026 tax budget as presented. Ayes: Doll, Leonard, Leskanic, and Masich. Nays: None. Resolution adopted. See page 2671.
Committee Reports
Building and Equipment Committee: No meeting was held.
Finance and Audit Committee: No meeting was held.
Marketing Committee: No meeting was held.
Personnel Committee: No meeting was held.
Hutchison presented the Board with staffing recommendations and updates.
Resolution 19-2025 – Moved by Leonard, seconded by Masich, to hire Brittany Simboli as a part-time Library Assistant in the Marketing Department, regularly scheduled at 20 hours per week, effective June 23, 2025. Ayes: Doll, Leonard, Leskanic, and Masich. Nays: None. Resolution adopted.
Moved by Leonard, seconded by Leskanic, to accept the resignation of Technical Services Library Assistant Lauren Planitzer, effective July 10, 2025. Ayes: Doll, Leonard, Leskanic, and Masich. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Summit County Library Trustees Council: No meeting was held.
Communications and Correspondence
OLC Legislative Update: Hutchison and Brickner provided an update on the state budget, informing the Board that the Senate Conference Committee did not make any changes to the House budget related to public libraries. The Ohio Library Council is encouraging library administration, trustees, and supporters to contact Governor DeWine to encourage him to veto the bill language related to the segregation of certain library materials.
Community Correspondence: None.
Old Business: None.
New Business
Resolution 20-2024 - Moved by Masich, seconded by Leskanic, to request that the Barberton Board of Education reappoint James Leonard as Trustee to a full-term expiring June 30, 2032. Ayes: Doll, Leonard, Leskanic, and Masich. Nays: None. Resolution adopted.
Brickner informed the Board that the Library’s audit report should be available for review ahead of the July 2025 meeting.
The Board was invited to join staff representing the Library in Barberton’s Labor Day parade on September 1, 2025.
Moved by Masich to adjourn the meeting at 7:04 p.m. Ayes: Doll, Leonard, Leskanic, and Masich. Nays: None. Motion carried.