Cleveland Heights – University Heights Public Library Board of Trustees meeting highlights 4-20-2020

APRIL 20, 2020

 

  • Financial report
  • Salary continuation during pandemic
  • Master plan
  • Letter to the community

 

Present were President James Roosa, Vice President Dana Fluellen, Patti Carlyle, Gabe Crenshaw, Max Gerboc, Annette Iwamoto, and Vikas Turakhia. 

Financial report

The board reviewed and accepted the March 2020 financial statement. Total cash balance across the operating accounts, Bauer Fund accounts, and investment accounts was $18,141,778.30. Due to the pandemic, the library is planning budget cuts of up to 20 percent from the general fund. Raises have been held. A hiring freeze is in place. While physical book purchases have been reduced, virtual book purchases have increased. Yard signs have been posted to remind people that free WiFi is available in the library parking lot.

Salary continuation during pandemic

The CH-UH Libraries were closed to the public on March 13 following Governor Mike DeWine’s COVID-19 orders. All meeting room reservations have been cancelled through May. No passport services or tax appointments are offered at this time. No book donations are being accepted. Library staff continue to work at home providing online content to library customers. The board approved a resolution to continue payment of all library staff salaries until such time as the State of Ohio deems it safe for businesses to open and normal library operations to resume. 

Master plan

Staff had been meeting to tour library buildings and begin crafting a master plan for updates to buildings and the PEACE playground. Due to the pandemic, master plan bidding has been postponed. The waterproofing project under way at the Coventry branch is proceeding. The replacement of the air conditioning at the Lee Road branch was completed. Deep cleaning of library buildings is taking place.

Letter to the community

The board approved wording for a letter to the community outlining the services available to patrons during the library closure, and the plans being developed for a “soft” opening once the state order to open again takes place. The staff are working with Center for Disease Control guidelines for protective equipment and cleaning to allow people to enter the library safely once current restrictions are lifted.

The next meeting will be held at the Lee Road Branch Library on Monday, May 18 at 6:30 p.m. During the library closure, board meetings have been live streamed for the public on the library’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/heightslibrary/.

LWV Observer: Elizabeth M. Tracy. 

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Volume 13, Issue 6, Posted 8:28 AM, 05.18.2020