LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS / Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library Board meeting highlights [online 1-25-2016]

JANUARY 25, 2016

• Board officers for 2016
• New adult services librarian
• 2015 summary report
• UH branch seeks temporary quarters
• Balanced scorecard review
• Website/Social Media quarterly report
• December public service report highlights

All board members were present.

Board officers for 2016

Board officers for 2016 are: Rick Ortmeyer, president; Ron Holland, vice president; and Abby Botnick, secretary.

New adult services librarian

John Piche, formerly employed by the Heights Libraries from 1997 to 2010, has returned from California to accept the position of adult services librarian.

2015 summary report (hours, staff turnover, benefits programs)

Laurie Marotta, human resources manager, presented a summary report for 2015. The library’s hours of operation reached a record high with all four branches open on Sunday. Staff turnover increased to 20 percent from 16 percent. Forty-one vacancies were filled, with 16 filled internally by promotion or transfer. Benefit costs were reported as medical, up 5.05 percent; dental, no increase; and long-term disability insurance, no increase. Participation in the library’s wellness program saved $9,000 on medical insurance. The library targeted a 3 percent renewal credit, but did not reach the necessary 75 percent participation in the wellness program. Non-participants receive a financial penalty.

UH branch seeks temporary quarters

During the time that the University Heights Library is closed for renovations, a mini-branch is planned to serve the community. Space is currently being sought.

Balanced scorecard review

Kim DeNero-Ackroyd, deputy director, presented highlights including: a partnership with ASIA (Asian Services in Action), which will aid the Noble Neighborhood Library in its services to the Nepalese population; negotiation of a reduced speaker fee for the “On the Same Page” community read; and completion of both interior and exterior lighting installation at the Coventry Village Library.

Website/Social Media quarterly report

Sheryl Banks, marketing manager, reported that as with circulation and in-person visitor numbers, there was a 10 percent drop in users of the website. The number of visitors to the research database website fell by 24 percent. A hypothesis is that with a better economy, fewer people need these services. However, Facebook “likes” and Twitter followers increased.

December public service report highlights:

• The new reference desk on the second floor of the Lee Road Library was installed on Dec. 1 and has been popular with both customers and staff.
• The training department at Lee Road Library reported 3384 Heights Knowledge and Information Center (HKIC) computer sessions.
• University Heights Library held a community forum on Dec. 3 for residents to hear information and examine exhibits created for the renovation of that library. Director Nancy Levin, the board of trustees, and architect John Rach were available for questions from the 31 residents in attendance.
• On Dec. 21, the Lee Road Library children’s room was dedicated to the memory of Grace M. Brody, with the director and board of trustees in attendance. Community members present learned about the early literacy space that is being created there.
• The library is partnering with Gearity Elementary School to form the Gearity Maker Space Lab. Youth services staff are working to set up a stop-start animation club for students and will plan an event at the University Heights Library in April.
• Tanya Markowitz, youth services associate at Noble Neighborhood Library, led 11 students in a basic yoga class at the Lee Road Library. This was the first class in a series spearheaded by Sarah Biscuso, youth services librarian.
• US Together held a meeting at the Lee Road Library on Dec. 28 with approximately 65 people in attendance. The group is establishing a middle school and high school mentoring program and is looking for volunteers to help refugee children in these grades with homework or cultural adjustment.
• Friends of the Heights Libraries provided $3,000 to the Welcome Hub at the Noble Neighborhood Library for an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher. This teacher will work with immigrants from Nepal and Bhutan.
• Coventry Village Library partnered with Mac’s Back’s-Books on Coventry for a New Year’s Eve presentation and meditation with eight Tibetan monks who were touring the United States.

LWV Observer: Anne S. McFarland.

These meeting summaries are abstracted from LWV observers’ written reports. The summaries have been edited and prepared by Anne McFarland, Charlene Morse and Maryann Barnes. To receive e-mail postings of full reports, send an e-mail to mbarnes9515@gmail.com or join through Google groups using “lwv-chuh observer reports” as a search phrase.

These reports contain member observation and selected highlights of public meetings and are not official statements of the Heights Chapter of the League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland. This disclaimer must accompany any redistribution of these reports.