Members Present: Kenneth Cheatham, Jennifer Doll, James Leonard, Heather McMullen, Holly Perry
Members Excused: C. Racyne Leskanic, Amy Wise
Also Present: Ann Hutchison, Director; Melissa Futrell, Deputy Fiscal Officer; Matt Brown, Facility Services Manager
President Doll called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
Hutchison reported that the Friends of the Library earned $1,415.05 at their book sale on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
Moved by Perry, seconded by Cheatham, to accept the minutes of the February 2026 Board meeting. Ayes: Cheatham, Leonard, McMullen, and Perry. Nays: None. Motion carried.
¬Director’s Report
Circulation: Hutchison reviewed the February 2026 statistics, noting that Adult Outreach, which had been reported as a branch on the statistical report since July 2025, would now be reported as Home Deliveries and Lobby Stops to better reflect the source of the circulation.
Programs & Publicity: Hutchison distributed the February 2026 publicity packet and highlighted several recent and upcoming programs as well as participation in BPL’s 2026 Winter Reading Challenge, which was up significantly across all age groups over 2025.
Donations: Gifts were received from the following individuals and organizations in February 2026: Anonymous, $7,000.00 to be used for Children's programs & services; Martha Bidlingmyer, $2,000.00; Mary DeSaussure, Barberton Woman's Club records & memorabilia; Friends of Barberton Public Library, $2,100.00 to be used for Summer Reading Challenge; Rotary Club of Barberton, $500.00 in honor of Barbara Kirbawy and to be used for public seating; Joseph Vernacotola, Assorted Barberton City School District records and memorabilia.
Moved by McMullen, seconded by Perry, to accept the donations. Ayes: Cheatham, Leonard, McMullen, and Perry. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Mission Moment: Hutchison shared new research from the Ohio Library Council showing strong bipartisan support for Ohio’s public libraries.
Other: Hutchison informed the Board that she and other staff are working to complete the annual Public Library Survey for submission to the State Library of Ohio.
Hutchison shared information on several community partnerships, noting that Community Development would be discontinuing their outreach services at Summit County public libraries and that Ohio Means Jobs would host an employment fair at BPL on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Hutchison shared that the Kona Ice Truck will be at BPL to provide free snow cones to the community on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 as part of a nationwide promotion that they hold annually on tax day.
Fiscal Officer’s Report
The Public Library Fund tax distribution for February 2026 for the Barberton Public Library was $94,545.36.
Futrell reviewed the financial reports, bank reconciliations, reappropriations, and bills paid for the month of February 2026, as well as several real estate advances from the Library’s second half settlement from the Summit County Fiscal Office.
Moved by Cheatham, seconded by Perry, to accept the financial reports, bank reconciliations, reappropriations, and bills paid for the month of February 2026. Ayes: Cheatham, Leonard, McMullen, and Perry. 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 March 26, 2026.
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 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: None.
Old Business
None.
New Business
Resolution 7-2026: Moved by McMullen, seconded by Cheatham, to hire part-time Reference Services Page Michelle Pederzolli, effective March 16, 2026. Ayes: Cheatham, Leonard, McMullen, and Perry. Nays: None. Resolution adopted.
Brown entered the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and was introduced to the Board.
Resolution 8-2026: Moved by Leonard, seconded by Perry, to hire full-time Facility Services Assistant Richard Durant, effective March 30, 2026. Ayes: Cheatham, Leonard, McMullen, and Perry. Nays: None. Resolution adopted.
Moved by Perry, seconded by Leonard, not to contest 618 Wooster LLC’s (Magic Mart and Drive Thru) liquor permit request. Ayes: Cheatham, Leonard, McMullen, and Perry. Nays: None. Motion carried.
Moved by McMullen to adjourn the meeting at 7:04 p.m.