Cleveland Heights University Heights Library Board of Trustees meeting highlights

NOV. 20, 2023

  • Noble Youth Services Outreach Programming
  • Board actions
  • Personnel report
  • Director’s report
  • Public services report

Board members pesent were Patti Carlyle, Dana Fluellen, Tyler McTigue, and Melissa Soto-Schwartz. Max Gerboc, Vice President Vikas Turakhia, and Secretary Annette Iwamoto were not present. The meeting lasted one hour.

Noble Youth Services Outreach Programming

Youth Services Librarian Hillary Brown, Youth Services Associate and Parks and Recreation Liaison Katina Davis, and Youth Services Associate and WIC Outreach Coordinator Danielle Maynard presented the report of how the staff are “going beyond the walls” to connect to the community. Using locations such as Disciples Christian Church, Cleveland Heights WIC office, Start Right Church, CH-UH schools, IXL Childcare and Learning Center, and Lullaby Infant Club, the library is taking programming to the neighborhood. [Providing] books, games, lunch, educational materials for moms, and WIC (women, infants, and children) kits are just a few of the ways the youth services library staff from Noble Branch keep in touch with the neighborhood. From May to November, more than 2,000 connections were established.

Board actions

The board: 

  • Authorized funds to repair the Coventry PEACE building roof.
  • Approved funds for additional fencing along Lee Road.
  • Authorized dental coverage for 2024 for library employees. The monthly rates for full-time eligible employees will be $33.05 per individual and $88.46 for family and dependent level coverage, with the library paying $27.76 per individual and $57.50 per family and dependent.
  • Authorized payment to Neptune Plumbing for installation of back-check valves at the University Heights Branch. 

Personnel report

Over 10 candidates are going through the application and interview process for safety services. Manager and officer positions are currently open.

Director’s report

The CH-UH Library Manager’s Retreat led by Deputy Director Kim DeNero-Ackroyd and Director Nancy Levin was held at the Euclid Library. The topic was continuous improvement and mentoring.

The steel has arrived at the Noble Branch construction site. The building is beginning to take shape and the footprint of the additional section is very visible.

The Coventry PEACE building facilities assessment is underway and should be complete by March.

The director met with state Sen. Kent Smith to explore state funding options.

ARPA funds from Cleveland Heights for the library are under discussion at city council meetings. Library staff presented their request at the hearing on Oct. 24. 

Fundraising for the renovation of PEACE Park continues. The Nov. 5 fundraiser at the Grog Shop raised more than $10,000. Parts of the park equipment have been saved from the demolition to [be sold to] raise funds.

The board of directors of the Funds for the Future of Heights Libraries is recruiting new board members.

Communications Manager Sheryl Banks has redesigned the library’s website homepage to accommodate ongoing projects such as PEACE Park and Noble Branch renovation. She has begun to refresh the website's theme, colors, and navigation. Branch and department managers are helping to provide appropriate content. Social media posts have been exceptional thanks to photography and information about what is happening at each branch.

Strategic Projects Manager Kaela Sweeney coordinated the Climate Action Day program with Andy Boateng, the new Cleveland Heights city sustainability and resiliency coordinator. Thirty-two people attended.

Eight written applications for the CH-UH Libraries Board of Trustees have been forwarded to the CH-UH school soard to begin the interviewing process.

Public service report

Local history programs were well attended. Thirty-nine people attended Synagogue to Sanctuary: The Jewish/African American Connection in Cleveland’s Historic Religious Architecture. Sixteen people attended Coventry PEACE Park: A Local History Celebration.

The second Passport Walk-in Day was Oct. 24. Eleven groups came in for various passport needs.

Coventry youth services staff hosted Spooky Storytime at Spirit Center, a small community park on Hampshire Road near Coventry Road.

University Heights youth services staff created two programs with a fall theme. Glitter glue or metallic markers were used to decorate fall leaves.

Librarian Angela Clock coordinated the first-ever mini therapy horse visit. The 300 attendees got to walk, groom, and pet one of the two therapy horses, Dimples and Stella.

LWV Observer: Judith Beeler.

Information about the board, board meeting minutes and audio recordings of board meetings can be found at https://heightslibrary.org/locations/heights-libraries-board/.

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Volume 17, Issue 1, Posted 1:58 PM, 12.29.2023