Cleveland Heights University Heights Library Board of Trustees meeting highlights 6-17-2024
JUNE 17, 2024, regular meeting
- DEI report
- Board action
- Personnel report
- Director’s report
- Public service report
Present were President Vikas Turakhia, Vice President Annette Iwamoto, Secretary Patti Carlyle, Dana Fluellen, Tyler McTigue, Melissa Soto-Schwartz, and Hallie Turnberrez. The meeting lasted one hour and fifteen minutes.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) report
Steve Sanders and Shandra Jackson provided an update on the staff DEI committee, which they chair. Three sub-committees have been formed: training development, policies and procedures, and workplace culture.
Board action
The board:
- Approved a contract with Spectrum for Wi-Fi services available to the public at the Coventry PEACE Park.
- Approved 2024 staff salary raises.
Director’s report
There are four summer reading programs for people of all ages. Participants read all summer and earn prizes. Details are on the web site.
Construction fences will be erected at the Coventry PEACE Park as the new construction begins. Groundbreaking will be July 7. On the timeline, reopening is planned for December.
Noble branch library had its grand opening on June 2, with more than 600 attendees. Unfortunately, there were connectivity issues and the library had to close temporarily for repairs. It is hoped that the library will reopen within the month.
Plans are being made for public listening sessions and a survey regarding the Coventry Peace building. Currently nine of the tenants who did not accept their optional lease renewal on time have accepted the six-month amendment to their leases. This amendment provides occupancy from July 1 until December 31, 2024. Beginning January 1, 2025, the term of lease shall automatically renew on a month-to-month basis unless either party notifies the other of its intent to terminate the lease, in writing, at least sixty days prior to the expiration of the lease.
Staff raises and health insurance renewal will commence in July.
A $50,000 grant proposal was submitted to First Year Cleveland for PEACE Park.
Two memory disco kits were received from a $2,500 Stephen T. Riedner Grant for Life Enhancing Library Programs for People with Dementia. Music makes a difference to many with dementia.
With one month left in the fiscal year 2024, overall fiscal year-to-date state tax revenues are down by $429.4 million (i.e., minus 1.7 percent).
Staff is closely watching the progress of Ohio House Bill 622, which would require each public library board of trustees to adopt a policy that prohibits its libraries from displaying matter harmful to juveniles and would require redistribution of the public library funds of libraries that fail to do so.
Public service
This year’s Dementia Week was a huge success. Five different programs were offered.
A group of 17 Fairfax Elementary School students participated in the Sphero Battle Bots activity. Sphero is a robotic ball that is controlled by touching and tilting your smartphone or tablet.
A special story time called Colossal Fun was held at Kenilworth Park.
University Heights Youth Services Associate Angie George and Branch Manager Sara Phillips hosted an after-hours Murder Mystery.
More than 290 participants enjoyed a second annual visit from the mini horses to the Lee Road Library.
LWV observers: Judith Beeler & Elizabeth Tracy
Information about the board, board meeting minutes and audio recordings of board meetings can be found at https://heightslibrary.org/locations/heights-libraries-board/