Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes - January 19, 2026

The Medina County District Library Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, January 19, 2026, at Medina Library. With a quorum present, President Caleb Parker called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Oath of Office: Judge William Hutson administered the oath of office to new trustee Kimberly Krzemienieswki.

Roll call: The following members were present: Caleb Parker, Brian Harr, Ann Marie Flannery, William Koran, Sarah Vachon, Christopher Jakab, and Kimberly Krzemienieswki.

Library staff members in attendance: Julianne Bedel, Executive Director; Allison Gaebelein, Fiscal Officer; Suzie Muniak, Deputy Director; and Jennifer O’Neill, Deputy Fiscal Officer acting as recording secretary. Also attending was Judge William Hutson.

Approval of the Agenda: Mr. Harr motioned, and Mr. Koran seconded the motion to approve the agenda. Motion carried. 

Recognition of Guests and Comments from the Public: President Parker welcomed all in attendance. He thanked Judge Hutson for administering the oath of office.

Disposition of Meeting Minutes: Mr. Jakab motioned, and Ms. Vachon seconded the motion to approve the December 15, 2025, regular meeting minutes. Mr. Harr and Ms. Krzemienieswki abstained. Motion carried.

Approval of Financial Report: Mr. Harr motioned, and Ms. Flannery seconded the motion to approve the December 2025 financial report. Motion carried.

Fiscal Officer Allison Gaebelein highlighted that December 2025 receipts totaled $2,621,795.52, while expenses totaled $3,257,262.76. This does include the $2,000,000 interfund transfers that were approved last month. There was an unexpended cash balance of $17,775,939.19 minus outstanding encumbrances of $1,901,808.81 leaving an ending unencumbered balance of $15,874,130.38.

General Fund revenues are up 4.6% over prior year-to-date and have reached 113% of the budgeted revenue. The General Fund expenses are up 16% compared to the same year-to-date period and have reached 93% of the budget.

December 2025 PLF came in at $375,913.20. This is $66,561.30 lower than December 2024, and $39,683.80 less than budgeted. The year-to-date total for PLF increased 2.5% over last year and 2.4% over budget. Since the PLF has moved to a line-item appropriation in the state budget this year, Ohio libraries did not receive the sales tax holiday reimbursement this year.

December 2025 investments earned $57,608.76. The year-to-date interest totals for 2025 are $750,410.06 at an average weighted interest rate of 3.863%. Interest rates have fallen during the last quarter due to the federal rate cuts.

Executive Director’s Report: Executive Director Julianne Bedel highlighted that circulation for December 2025 was up 3% over 2024, noting that physical items were down 2% and digital circulation was up 11%. The door count was down 3% and overall computer usage was up 6%. The number of new cards issued was up 2%. The number of passport applications being processed was down 11% from last year. The number of library programs offered was up 33%, but overall attendance stayed even with this time last year. Please note that this is the usual monthly statistical summary. The year-end information and 10-year comparisons will be shared next month. 

Examples of activity over the last six months of the Strategic Plan included implementing some of the changes recommended by the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities (MCBDD) evaluation, such as purchasing extra noise-canceling headphones for patron use, ensuring all computer labs have at least one large print keyboard and adaptive mouse, and removing chairs at some tables to leave open spaces for those utilizing wheelchairs. MCBDD also presented at Staff Development Day on serving neurodiverse populations. A new Social Media policy was Board-approved in July, and the new COM Guide rolled out to staff in August. The overall report for 2023 - 2025 will be shared after the community satisfaction survey is conducted in early 2026.

The Facilities Plan is ongoing with Bialosky. All the facility condition reports have been received, including the cost estimates (by Ruhlin) associated with each recommendation. Ms. Gaebelein, Mr. Brzezinski, and Ms. Bedel had a virtual meeting with Ruhlin, Scheeser Buckley Mayfield, and Bialosky to review the information. The process is still on track to be completed at the end of February.

At the OLC Board meeting last Friday, their 2026 operating budget was approved. It included funding for a strategic planning process. OLC Director of Communications, Angie Jacobsen, reported that OLC has contracted with Lesic & Camper Communications to develop an advocacy and communications strategy to support Ohio’s public libraries. To maximize efficiency and reduce costs, this work is being conducted in conjunction with the Ohio Township Association. The project will begin with a statewide public opinion poll conducted by Neil Newhouse, partner and co-founder of Public Opinion Strategies, a national political and public affairs research firm. The poll will assess voter attitudes, perceptions, and messaging opportunities related to public libraries and funding. The insights from this research will be used to create a toolkit for Ohio’s public libraries. The toolkit will help members communicate the value of public libraries more effectively and clearly demonstrate how libraries save Ohioans money and strengthen their communities. Lesic & Camper Communications brings extensive experience in strategic communications, public affairs, and media relations. Their expertise will support the creation of clear, consistent messaging that educates voters and elected officials about why continued investment in public libraries is essential, particularly as Ohio faces increasing efforts to reduce or eliminate property taxes.

Please note that Ohio Library Legislative Day is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18. Since it is not a budget year, the day is scheduled at the Renaissance Columbus Downtown instead of the State House. More details will be shared as they are released to hopefully have Trustee representation in Columbus for that event.

Also note that the annual Library Trustee Workshop (virtual and in person at OLC) is scheduled for Saturday, March 7. Registration information will be released soon. The date for the Northeast Library Trustees Dinner has not yet been announced but is expected to take place in May.

Communication: We received thank you notes from Barb McCoy at Birthcare for the Warm-Up Medina efforts and from the Medina County Health Department to the Friends of the Library for a basket in support of the Safe Communities Coalition raffle.

Personnel Report: Mr. Koran motioned, and Ms. Flannery seconded the motion to approve the December Personnel Report. Motion carried.

Human Resources highlights from December 2025 include welcoming two new staff members and celebrating one retirement. There were no transfers or promotions. There were four leaves of absence, the same as last month. We were happy to celebrate Aleen Olee’s 20-year milestone anniversary. Aleen is a Cataloging Clerk in Collection Resources, and we are fortunate to have her on the MCDL team. Congratulations!

The annual performance review process was completed, with a system-wide overall average rating of 3.72 on a 5.0 scale. Administrative merit increases will take effect on January 11 and will appear in the January 30 payroll. The performance management module is activated, and staff have begun using it for tracking 2026 goals.

Board Committee Reports:

Buildings Committee: No Meeting

Finance Committee: No Meeting

Personnel Committee: No Meeting

Policy and By-laws Committee: No Meeting

Unfinished Business: None

New Business

2026 Board Committee Appointments:
President Parker made the following assignments.
Finance: Mr. Jakab (chair), Mr. Harr, Ms. Flannery
Personnel: Mr. Harr (chair), Ms. Vachon, Mr. Jakab
Policy and By-laws: Ms. Flannery (chair), Mr. Koran, Ms. Krzemienieswki
Buildings: Ms. Vachon (chair), Mr. Koran, Ms. Krzemienieswki

Service Recognition for Lisa Rienerth: Mr. Parker recognized Family History and Learning Center Library Associate Lisa Rienerth for her eighteen years of dedicated service at MCDL. The Board of Trustees expressed its deep appreciation for Lisa Rienerth and her valued role within the Library family. They extended best wishes for her continued health and happiness in the next chapter of her life.

Donations: Ms. Vachon motioned, and Mr. Koran seconded the motion to approve the following donations for December. Motion carried.

1. Marc and Michelle Dukes: $300 to create a fund to purchase items as needed for new sensory area in Medina Children’s Department in memory of Michael Phillipp
2. Jane Moos: $25 in memory of Maggie Hershberger
3. William & Laura Hutson: $50 in memory of Maggie Hershberger
4. Don Dotson: Following Water series books 1 & 2
5. Perry & Mary Doermann: $1,000
6. Main Street Bank: $250 for horse drawn carriages at Lodi Winter Wonderland
7. Peggy Palmer: Copies of three of her books for the Medina Children’s collection
8. Mark Phillipp & Lindsay Phillipp Mora: $500 in memory of Michael Phillipp
9. Carole Hinegardner: $500
10. George Kamposek: $250
11. Rikki Niknam: $25
12. Victoria Mullen: Gnome More Goodbyes and Gnome More Worries to be added to Children’s collection

The donations were accepted with gratitude.

Other: In other business, the Trustees discussed the general timing of a levy initiative because the Library’s current local property tax expires at the end of 2027. It was generally agreed that May 2027 general election would be the appropriate time to bring the question before voters.

Trustees Comments:

Mr. Jakab is looking forward to another great year for staff and patrons. He welcomed Ms. Krzemienieswki to the Board.

Ms. Flannery welcomed Ms. Krzemienieswki to the Board. She congratulated Ms. Olee on her milestone anniversary and Ms. Rienerth on her retirement. She commended the Highland staff for having zero turnover in almost three years. She appreciated the 2025 year-in-review summaries from the branches.

Ms. Vachon welcomed Ms. Krzemienieswki to the Board. She also expressed her appreciation for the Highland staff. She congratulated Ms. Olee on her milestone anniversary. She thanked Mr. Parker for accepting a leadership role and is looking forward to his time as president.

Mr. Harr welcomed Ms. Krzemienieswki to the Board. He thanked Mr. Koran for his leadership last year, and congratulated Mr. Parker on his leadership role in the new year.

Mr. Koran welcomed Ms. Krzemienieswki to the Board. He congratulated Seville on forging community alliances to parter with new groups to find larger spaces for programming.

Ms. Krzemienieswki thanked everyone for their warm welcome. She is grateful, excited, and happy to be here.

Mr. Parker echoed the previous sentiments and is looking forward to a productive year.

Adjournment: There being no further business, Mr. Jakab motioned, and Mr. Harr seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:42 p.m. Motion carried.

Caleb Parker, President
Ann Marie Flannery, Secretary

NEXT BOARD MEETING
Monday, February 16, 2026
6:00 p.m.
Medina Library