The Medina County District Library Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, June 15, 2026, at Medina Library. With a quorum present, President Caleb Parker called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Roll call: The following members were present: Caleb Parker, Brian Harr, Sarah Vachon, Ann Marie Flannery, William Koran, and Christopher Jakab. Kimberly Krzemienieswki arrived at 6:05.
Library staff members in attendance: Julianne Bedel, Executive Director; Allison Gaebelein, Fiscal Officer; Suzie Muniak, Deputy Director; Tina Sabol, Community Engagement Director; Emily Henry, Human Resources Director; Ann Plazek, Outreach Manager; Pat Bernaurer, Training Coordinator; Natalie Keller, Librarian; Larissa Rudd, Librarian; Jason Shankland, Facilities Maintenance Technician; Madison Thomas, 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. Brunswick resident and former employee, Sara Tran, shared that she appreciated MCDL's Leadership U program for professional development and enjoyed the time she was able to participate.
Disposition of Meeting Minutes: Ms. Vachon motioned, and Mr. Koran seconded the motion to approve the May 18, 2026, regular meeting minutes. Motion carried.
Approval of Financial Report: Ms. Vachon motioned, and Mr. Harr seconded the motion to approve the May 2026 financial report. Motion carried.
Fiscal Officer Allison Gaebelein highlighted that May 2026 receipts totaled $795,573.94, while expenses totaled $973,132.70. There was an unexpended cash balance of $18,959,595.78 minus outstanding encumbrances of $5,691,337.39 leaving an ending unencumbered balance of $13,268,258.39.
General Fund revenues have decreased 1.5% over prior year-to-date, and General Fund expenses are up 0.9% compared to the same year-to-date period. The General Fund expense calculation excludes the $1.8M transfer in April to the Building / Repair Fund.
May 2026 PLF came in at $377,433.55. This is $45,088.73 lower than May 2025 and $21,433.55 higher than budgeted. The year-to-date total for the PLF is $1,864,144.97, which is a 2.85% decrease compared to 2025.
May 2026 investments earned $72,873.85 at an average weighted interest rate of 3.691%. The year-to-date total investment earnings in 2026 are $282,794.20.
Executive Director’s Report: Executive Director Julianne Bedel highlighted that circulation for May 2026 was unchanged from May 2025, with physical items being down 8% and digital circulation up 12%. Overall year-to-date circulation is up 3% from this time last year. The door count decreased by 8%, while computer usage was down 15%. The number of library programs offered increased by 3%, and overall program attendance was up 2%. Community meeting room bookings were down 1% from last May, and the number of people attending community meetings was unchanged. The number of passport applications being processed was down 13%.
State Librarian Mandy Knapp visited the Medina Library on May 14. She spent time touring the branch, visiting with staff, and exploring the Family History Learning Center resources and digitization projects.
The routine mailing of the Annual Report and current Library Live was sent to elected officials to highlight the impact library services have in the community.
The 2026 Community Assessment Tool (patron satisfaction survey) was conducted in April. The responses indicated exceptionally strong community support for MCDL with generally high overall satisfaction. Compared with the 2023 patron satisfaction survey, respondents reported a meaningful increase in overall satisfaction, perceived responsiveness, representation of community needs, and awareness of specialized services. While opportunities remain to improve awareness, accessibility, facilities, and certain service areas, the results indicate that MCDL continues to be viewed as a highly valued and trusted community institution.
On Friday, June 5, Ax Ohio Tax announced that it failed to collect enough signatures to place their constitutional amendment proposal to eliminate all Ohio property taxes on the November 2026 ballot. The group indicated that it would continue efforts and will now attempt to place the issue before voters in November 2027. Ohio law requires petitioners to file valid signatures equal to ten percent of the vote from the most recent gubernatorial election, which currently totals over 413,000 signatures. Although signatures do not expire, many are typically invalidated during the verification process; consequently, the committee is seeking at least 620,000 signatures. The Library will continue to share its story within our community and promote the value it provides to patrons. The group’s efforts will continue to be monitored, and the Ohio Library Council will share relevant information as it develops.
Communication: Ms. Muniak received a thank you note from The Children’s Center for supporting the Pinwheel Walk to raise awareness of child abuse prevention efforts.
Personnel Report: Mr. Harr motioned, and Mr. Koran seconded the motion to approve the May Personnel Report. Motion carried.
Human Resources highlights from May 2026 include welcoming one new staff member while four left employment. There were two promotions during the month. There were ten people in active leave status.
The Fiscal Officer and Human Resources Director attended a one-day Labor Law and Labor Arbitration Conference. Mid-year performance check-in conferences are in progress.
Amy Fitzgerald, Seville Library Associate Flex, celebrated five years with MCDL. Brunswick Library Associate, Nancy Dalton, celebrated 10 years, and Chris Weaver-Pieh, Collection Resources Director, celebrated her 15-year milestone anniversary. Congratulations and thank you to each of them!
Board Committee Reports
Buildings Committee: Ms. Vachon reported the committee met on Monday, June 8, 2026, at Medina Library. The committee discussed the Lodi Woods Project, the City of Medina uptown loop multi-purpose path, and 2026 district concrete work.
Resolution 26-06: Upon recommendation of the Buildings Committee, the Medina County District Library Board of Trustees adopts the Medina County Parks District Lodi Woods site plan (trail plaza and signage) as presented. Motion carried.
Finance Committee: No Meeting. Next meeting is Monday, July 13, 2026, at 5 p.m. at Medina Library.
Personnel Committee: No Meeting. Next meeting is Monday, July 13, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at Medina Library.
Policy and By-laws Committee: Ms. Flannery reported the committee met on Monday, June 1, 2026, at Medina Library. She highlighted that seven policies were being revised and that there were two new policies: Employee Driving Record and Cybersecurity.
Resolution 26-05: Upon recommendation of the Personnel Committee, the Medina County District Library Board of Trustees hereby adopts the policy changes as presented, effective immediately. Motion carried.
New Policies:
HR-E-28 Employee Driving Record
TECH-09 Cybersecurity
Revised Policies:
CR-01 Collection Materials and Selection
FIN-06 Expenses Reimbursement
HR-B-08 Deferred Compensation
HR-B-13 Sick Leave
HR-E-08 Probationary Period
HR-G-04 Performance Management
HR-G-13 Artificial Intelligence Usage
Unfinished Business: None
New Business
Outreach Services Presentation: Manager Ann Plazek gave a presentation highlighting the Professional Resource Center (PRC) and lesser-known resources available through the Outreach Department. The PRC provides a variety of programming kits, such as storytime and event kits, that staff can borrow to support library programs and services.
Resolution 26-07: Mr. Koran motioned, and Mr. Jakab seconded the motion to approve the 2027 Tax Budget as presented for submittal to the Medina County Budget Commission.
Roll Call Vote: Ms. Vachon – Aye; Ms. Flannery – Aye; Ms. Krzemienieswki – Aye; Mr. Harr – Aye; Mr. Jakab – Aye; Mr. Koran – Aye; Mr. Parker – Aye. Motion carried.
Resolution 26-08: Ms. Flannery motioned, and Ms. Vachon seconded the motion to authorize the Fiscal Officer to enter into an agreement for concreate maintenance, repair, and replacement projects throughout the Library system in an amount not to exceed $60,000, contingent upon receipt and review of competitive quotes. Motion carried.
Mr. Jakab inquired about the process of soliciting bids. Ms. Gaebelein responded that because the amount did not meet the public bidding threshold required by ORC, Mr. Brzezinski reached out to five companies to request quotes. Ms. Krzemienieswki inquired if there were a minimum number of quotes required. Ms. Bedel stated that three quotes are ideal.
Donations: Mr. Harr motioned, and Mr. Koran seconded the motion to approve the following donations for May. Motion carried.
- Kiwanis Club of Medina: $60 for Summer Reading Game books
- The McGwen family: $1,000 in memory of Bruce McGwen
- Beth Graham: Plant for Brunswick Library
- Becky Williams: 2025/26 Inkspot – Medina County Literary Review
- Lodi American Legion Post 523: $500
- Rachel Fiorucci: Copy of Judy the Science Dog
- Shawna Healy: Copy of Loop of Lost Souls
The donations were accepted with gratitude.
Leadership U Class of 2026: Jason Shankland, Madison Thomas, and Larissa Rudd presented their Leadership U project proposing a Library Social Services Partnership that would pilot the placement of an onsite social worker at Medina Library. Several Trustees suggested potential community organizations to contact, and some offered to facilitate introductions through their existing connections. The project was well-received and will be an idea vetted for potential implementation. Natalie Keller presented her Leadership U project proposal to create a searchable database of in-house displays that would allow staff to share ideas, inspiration, and best practices for book and subject displays across MCDL. Ms. Krzemienieswki commented that it was a great way to share ideas throughout the library system and appreciated the database's multiple search options. The beginnings of the proposed database exists on the staff intranet and will be reviewed for potential implementation.
Trustees Comments
Ms. Flannery thanked Ms. Plazek and the Leadership U Class for their presentations. She congratulated those celebrating work anniversaries.
Mr. Harr thanked Ms. Plazek and the Leadership U Class for their presentations.
Mr. Koran thanked Ms. Plazek for her presentation and said he appreciated learning more about these lesser-known resources. He also thanked and congratulated the Leadership U Class.
Ms. Krzemienieswki thanked Ms. Plazek and the Leadership U Class for their presentations. She congratulated those celebrating work anniversaries.
Ms. Vachon thanked Ms. Plazek and the Leadership U Class for their presentations. She congratulated and thanked Collection Resources for processing 912 items in a single day! She congratulated those celebrating work anniversaries.
Mr. Jakab thanked Ms. Plazek and the Leadership U Class for their presentations. He congratulated those celebrating work anniversaries.
Mr. Parker thanked Ms. Plazek and the Leadership U Class for their presentations. He noted that MCDL again had a presence at Pride and Juneteenth celebrations and thanked staff for making those connections at community events.
Adjournment: There being no further business, Ms. Vachon motioned, and Mr. Jakab seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 p.m. Motion carried.
Caleb Parker, President
Ann Marie Flannery, Secretary
NEXT BOARD MEETINGBr> Monday, July 20, 2026
6:05 p.m.
Highland Library