The Medina County District Library Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, March 16, 2026, at Buckeye Library. With a quorum present, President Caleb Parker called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

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

Library staff members in attendance: Julianne Bedel, Executive Director; Allison Gaebelein, Fiscal Officer; Suzie Muniak, Deputy Director; Tina Sabol, Community Engagement Director; Laura Kettering, Buckeye Branch Manager; Natalie Keller, Librarian; and Jennifer O’Neill, Deputy Fiscal Officer acting as recording secretary.

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

Recognition of Guests and Comments from the Public: President Parker welcomed all in attendance.

Disposition of Meeting Minutes: Mr. Koran motioned, and Mr. Harr seconded the motion to approve the February 16, 2026, regular meeting minutes. Motion carried.

Approval of Financial Report: Mr. Harr motioned, and Ms. Flannery seconded the motion to approve the February 2026 financial report. Motion carried.

Fiscal Officer Allison Gaebelein highlighted that February 2026 receipts totaled $1,593,484.85, while expenses totaled $960,094.23. There was an unexpended cash balance of $17,879,666.37 minus outstanding encumbrances of $3,508,286.87 leaving an ending unencumbered balance of $14,371,379.50.

General Fund revenue year-to-date totals are down 50.6% compared to last year. As discussed at last month's meeting, the collection and disbursement of real estate taxes from the Medina County Auditor have been delayed by a couple of weeks. As a result, most of the first-half tax revenue will be received in March this year. The General Fund expenses are down 4.3% compared to last year.

February 2026 PLF came in at $377,433.55. This is $73,232.15 lower than February 2025, but $21,433.55 higher than budgeted. The year-to-date total for the PLF is $93,836.09 (11.21%) lower than the same period last year.

February 2026 investments earned $43,905.58 at an average weighted interest rate of 3.725%.

Executive Director's Report: Executive Director Julianne Bedel highlighted that circulation for February 2026 increased 3% compared to February 2025, with physical items being down 4% and digital circulation up 12%. The door count was the same as last year. Overall computer usage increased by 9%. The number of library programs increased 5%, and overall program attendance was down 4%. Community meeting room bookings were up, and the number of people attending community meetings decreased by 2%. The number of passport applications being processed was up 9% from this time last year.

Ms. Bedel thanked the Board of Trustees for the opportunity to travel to Washington DC for National Library Legislative Day. She was part of a delegation of nine from the Buckeye State, including:

Aimee Fifarek - Director and CEO of The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County
Meme Gillum - an academic librarian at Edison State Community College
Steve Potash - Overdrive CEO
Jamar Rahming - CEO of Cuyahoga County Public Library
Jay Smith - OLC's Director of Government and Legal Services
Bryan Szalewski - Chief Legal Officer at Cleveland Public Library
Don Yarman - OPLIN Executive Director
Amy Young - Reed Memorial Library Director

Ms. Bedel met with legislative staff in the offices of Representative David Joyce, Representative Max Miller, Senator Bernie Moreno, and Senator Jon Husted. Discussions focused on the importance of federal funding for Ohio public libraries and specifically sought support for fully funding the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which administers the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). The Federal Communication Commission's E-Rate program is essential to connecting libraries and communities to high-speed internet. Congress is considering reforms to make the E-Rate program more sustainable and advocated for any new funding model to be predictable with a priority of maintaining the E-Rate program long-term.

Suzie Muniak was recognized last week for Excellence in Public Service Leadership. As our Deputy Director, Ms. Muniak supports strategic initiatives that strengthen access to information, enrich community programs, and foster meaningful connections across the county. She has been a key organizer for our dementia-friendly community initiative and other partnerships that help all residents feel welcome and supported at MCDL. Congratulations to Ms. Muniak on this award and thank you to Mr. Koran (2012 Excellence in Education Leadership honoree) for his attendance and support at this event.

Communication: The Library received a thank you note from Birthcare for a "Snuggle Up & Read" donation.

Personnel Report: Mr. Harr motioned, and Mr. Jakab seconded the motion to approve the February Personnel Report. Motion carried.

Human Resources highlights from February 2026 include two staff members leaving employment. There was one transfer and one promotion during the month. There were eight people in active leave status.

The Library added naloxone to the emergency kit on the bookmobile as well as at our AED stations. The AI Ad Hoc Committee has been formed to evaluate how artificial intelligence can be used responsibly to enhance services and operations, to review existing policies, and to consider employee training and environmental implications. Recommendations will be shared with the administration. The committee is currently reviewing the results of the first staff survey on AI to better understand current awareness, use, interests, and concerns.

In February, we celebrated Medina Library Associate Erin Klinge's five-year MCDL anniversary. Congratulations, Erin!

Board Committee Reports:

Buildings Committee: Mr. Koran reported the committee met on March 2, 2026, to review the status of the Medina Roof Project and the Facilities Plan.

Finance Committee: No Meeting

Personnel Committee: No Meeting

Policy and By-laws Committee: No Meeting

Unfinished Business: None

New Business:

Buckeye Branch Presentation: Buckeye Branch Manager Laura Kettering gave a presentation centering around how and why meeting room usage sparks new usership and community engagement.

Declaration of Surplus Equipment: Mr. Koran motioned, and Mr. Jakab seconded that The Medina County District Library Board of Trustees hereby declares the 2026 Surplus Equipment Inventory list as surplus and authorize the Fiscal Officer to conduct a sale of these items to the public. The Executive Director is authorized to donate or dispose of any unsold items. Proceeds from the sale shall be receipted into the General Fund. Motion Carried.

Declaration of Surplus Equipment: Ms. Flannery motioned, and Mr. Jakab seconded that The Medina County District Library Board of Trustees hereby approves Wine and Canvas events June 6, June 19, July 25, and August 7, 2026, at Medina Library. Motion carried.

Donations: Mr. Harr motioned, and Mr. Koran seconded the motion to approve the following donations for February. Motion carried.

1. Gary & Carole Erlinger: $500
2. Patricia Quallich: $25 in memory of Pat Rainey and her son David Rainey
3. Donna Blocksidge: $50 in memory of David Rainey
4. $415 donated in memory of Dianna Wertz: Connie Sureck, Pat Bernaurer, Richie & Suzie Muniak, Heather Ackerman, Anonymous, Buckeye Library staff, Judy Scaife, Tina Sabol, Jill McGarr, Joy Hovanetz, Debbie Bonezzi, Katie Graefnitz, Eric Lucius, Dianne Boyd, and Julie Homes
5. Kim Wuescher: One copy of her book Bitter Medicine
6. Calvin Davis: Two copies of his book Firehouse Bird
7. Loretta Shaw: Three copies of Lodi High School yearbooks
8. Anonymous: Twin Dragon Clock
9. Tony Marini: One copy of his book Trotter the Thankful Turkey
10. Jamie Krulewitz: $50 for sensory room in memory of Michael Phillipp
11. Thomas Caine: $50 in memory of David Rainey

The donations were accepted with gratitude.

Trustees Comments:

Ms. Flannery thanked Ms. Kettering for her presentation. She shared she is excited to see naloxone introduced into our emergency kits and thanked staff for being forward-thinking on the topic of AI.

Mr. Harr thanked Ms. Kettering for her presentation. He congratulated Ms. Muniak on her leadership award.

Mr. Koran thanked Ms. Kettering for her presentation. He thanked Ms. Bedel for representing MCDL in Washington DC for National Library Legislative Day.

Ms. Krzemienieswki thanked Ms. Kettering for her presentation and found it very informative. She congratulated Ms. Muniak on her leadership award.

Mr. Jakab thanked Ms. Kettering for her presentation. He congratulated Ms. Muniak on her leadership award.

Mr. Parker thanked Ms. Kettering for her presentation and making the library a welcoming place for everyone. He congratulated Ms. Muniak on her leadership award. He congratulated Ms. Klinge on her work anniversary. He thanked Ms. Bedel for representing MCDL at National Library Legislative Day.

Adjournment: There being no further business, Ms. Flannery motioned, and Mr. Jakab seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:27 p.m. Motion carried.

Caleb Parker, President
Ann Marie Flannery, Secretary

Next Board Meeting
Monday, April 20, 2026
6:00 p.m.
Medina Library