LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS/Cleveland Heights University Heights Library Board of Trustees meeting highlights
FEBRUARY 17, 2025
- Comments from the audience
- Board action
- Director report
- Public service report
- Unfinished business
Present were President Annette Iwamoto, Dana Fluellen, Anastasia McIntosh, Vikas Turakhia and Halle Turnberrez. Vice President Patti Carlyle and Tyler McTigue were excused. Meeting lasted one hour and 40 minutes.
Comments from the audience
The president of the Friends of the Heights Libraries announced a proposed bylaws change in the number of trustees on their board.
Jack Valancy of the Fund for the Future of Heights Libraries thanked everyone involved in the successful grand opening the PEACE Park. He announced a new fundraising effort for trees and native plants for the park.
Five community members spoke in support of space for the artist Robin Van Lear.
Board action
The board:
- Released construction contingency funds for PEACE park improvements.
- Approved owner contingency disbursements for PEACE park improvements.
- Approved a change to the board bylaws to cover both the fiscal officer and the deputy fiscal officer in the Library Employee Dishonesty insurance policy.
- Extended the 2023 -2025 strategic plan through December 2026. Work will begin in spring 2026 for a 2027-2029 strategic plan.
Human resources report
An 11-point written report on 2024 achievements and highlights of the human resources department was shared with the board. Of note, was the successful onboarding of 54 new employees. In response to board member Dana Fuellen’s question about employee feedback, it was reported that information from a feedback survey helped develop content for new employee training, and the content was delivered in smaller chunks over longer periods of time, which employees found less overwhelming.
Director’s report
Security camera coverage in front of the Lee Road Library and staff lot has been improved.
Know Your Rights cards, created by the ACLU for the public approached by police or immigration officials, were printed and distributed in each library.
Ohio’s fiscal year 2026-2027 state budget development is officially underway. Gov. DeWine is supportive of public libraries. Current plans are to increase the public library fund (PLF) share of the general revenue fund from 1.7 percent to 1.75 percent in FY 26 and FY 27. However, projections are for only a moderate increase in revenue. The budget is to be passed by the end of June so there are opportunities for changes.
Public Service report
Adult Services Manager Heather Howiler officially took over coordinating the mobile food pantry at the Lee Road Branch.
Youth Services Librarian Steve Eigsti visited the Cleveland Hebrew Academy for outreach story time to 245 kindergarten children on their 100th day of school.
Heights Tree People and Strategic Projects Manager Kaela Sweeney hosted a workshop on basic tree pruning skills with a certified arborist from the International Society of Arboriculture.
The Storybook Ball this year at Noble Neighborhood Library was themed around the “Wizard of Oz,” inspired by the release of “Wicked” in theaters.
University Heights Youth Services Librarian Hannah Van Jura hosted a Lunar New Year story time. Twenty-five people attended and tasted traditional Lunar Near Year foods, sang songs, and learned more about the holiday celebration.
Librarian Amanie McGee joined the Heights High book club where students, teachers, and librarians discussed House of Hollow.
Unfinished business
The board discussed logistics of the board retreat.
After 30 minutes in executive session, the board returned and approved terms to extend the time for storage and studio space for Robin Van Lear, a Coventry PEACE tenant.
LWV observer: 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/