The Medina County District Library Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, July 20, 2026, at Highland Library. With a quorum present, President Caleb Parker called the meeting to order at 6:05 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; Emily Henry, Human Resources Director; Eric Lucius, Highland Branch Manager; and Jennifer O’Neill, Deputy Fiscal Officer acting as recording secretary.
Approval of the Agenda: Mr. Parker motioned, and Mr. Harr 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 Ms. Flannery seconded the motion to approve the June 15, 2026, regular meeting minutes. Motion carried.
Approval of Financial Report: Mr. Harr motioned, and Mr. Jakab seconded the motion to approve the June 2026 financial report. Motion carried.
Fiscal Officer Allison Gaebelein highlighted that June 2026 receipts totaled $460,038.91, while expenses totaled $1,128,208.89. There was an unexpended cash balance of $18,291,425.80 minus outstanding encumbrances of $5,276,606.23 leaving an ending unencumbered balance of $13,014,819.57.
General Fund revenues have decreased 2.7% over prior year-to-date, and General Fund expenses are up 3.1% compared to the same year-to-date period. General Fund expenditures do not include the $1.8 million transfer into the Capital Fund in April.
June 2026 investments earned $53,719.96. The year-to-date interest totals are $336,514.16 at an average weighted interest rate of 3.725%.
June 2026 PLF came in at $377,433.55, which is $82,902.89 lower than the amount received last June. Despite the lower monthly distribution, the year-to-date total for the PLF is currently $2,241,578.52, which is 4.94% higher than budgeted. The completion of FY26 at the end of June marked the first full year under Ohio’s new line-item appropriation funding model for the Public Library Fund, replacing the previous formula that allocated 1.7% of the State’s General Revenue Fund (GRF). For reference, the State of Ohio closed FY26 with GRF receipts 11% above estimates.
Mr. Koran asked for clarification on why receipts were so much lower this month than expenses. Ms. Gaebelein responded that expenses were around average for the month, and that receipts were about average for a month when property taxes are not disbursed.
Executive Director’s Report: Executive Director Julianne Bedel highlighted that circulation for June 2026 was 2% higher than June 2025, with physical items being down 3% and digital circulation up 10%. Overall year-to-date circulation is up 2% from this time last year. The door count was up 2%, while computer usage was down 5%. The number of library programs offered increased by 8%, and attendance was up 19%. Community meeting room bookings were up 16% from last June, and the number of people attending community meetings was up 35%. The number of passport applications being processed was down 5%.
Site work on the Medina Library Roofing Project 2026 is still on track to begin August 24. The parking lot on the east side of the building will be unavailable for the duration of the project. Public messaging will be ongoing for the term of the project.
The application period for community members interested in applying to fill Sarah Vachon's unexpired term on our Board runs through August 7. The County Commissioners have placed a notice in the Gazette for July 14 and 21 and will include it in their newsletter. The information is also live on our website and highlighted in this month's communications. Thank you to Rhonda Beck for her assistance in the process.
The Ohioans to Protect Public Services (OPPS) coalition will remain active as there continues to be an effort to place a state constitutional amendment to abolish property tax on the November 2027 ballot. The coalition recognizes that rising property taxes are a serious concern for Ohioans but abolishing them abruptly with no plan to support essential public services would erode residents' safety and quality of life and could ignite unprecedented fiscal chaos in our state. As of June 2026, more than 75 organizations have joined OPPS, representing law enforcement, fire and emergency services, public education, senior care, developmental disability services, mental health and addiction treatment, children's services, libraries, parks, public health, labor, business, local government, and veterans. The breadth of the coalition is itself a message that this is not a partisan or special-interest concern, but a matter of basic community services that every Ohioan relies on. OLC Executive Director Michelle Francis will continue to serve on the coalition's Steering Committee.
There are no collective bargaining matters to report, except to note that labor negotiations are ongoing. We have attended five bargaining sessions to date, and we have a session scheduled for July 22 and a half day scheduled for July 30.
Mr. Parker asked if there was an update on the City of Medina Uptown Loop Multi-purpose Path. Ms. Bedel responded that there was no update at this time. This project includes improvements at the entrance to the parking lot, which is expected to be closed for a limited time during construction. Ms. Krzemienieswki inquired about accessibility parking during the roofing project. Ms. Bedel stated that there are three spots available by the south entrance.
Communication: Buckeye Manager Laura Kettering received a thank you note from York Township trustees thanking MCDL for taking part in their America 250 Summerfest event.
Personnel Report: Mr. Harr motioned, and Ms. Flannery seconded the motion to approve the June Personnel Report. Motion carried.
Human Resources highlights from June 2026 include welcoming three new staff members while four left employment. There were four promotions and one transfer during the month. There were nine people in active leave status. Human Resources Director Emily Henry attended an OLC workshop on best practices, performance management and evaluations, and managing disciplinary actions.
Marshall Turpin, Seville Page, and Natalie Keller, Brunswick Librarian, celebrated five years with MCDL. Many thanks to them both!
Board Committee Reports:
Buildings Committee: No Meeting.
Finance Committee: Mr. Jakab reported the committee met on Monday, July 13, 2026, at Medina Library, and the minutes recorded in the Board packet accurately reflect the meeting. The committee received a second quarter finance update from Ms. Gaebelein and discussed the 2027 levy.
Personnel Committee: Mr. Harr reported the committee met on Monday, July 13, 2026, at Medina Library. The committee discussed administrative job descriptions and received a progress update on 2027 Health Insurance information.
Resolution 26-09: Upon recommendation of the Personnel Committee, the Medina County District Library Board of Trustees hereby approves the changes to the Administration Job Descriptions effective immediately. Motion carried.
Policy and By-laws Committee: No Meeting.
Unfinished Business:
Facilities Plan Discussion: Trustees shared their initial impressions of the Facilities Plan and will continue reviewing the maintenance needs and potential improvements that may be needed over the next ten years in a Building Committee meeting in August. Mr. Koran commented that it had been over 20 years since the last plan was conducted. Ms. Gaebelein shared finance estimates for the years 2028-2037 that incorporated both maintenance and capital improvement costs identified in the Facilities Plan. Ms. Bedel shared some priorities include updating customer service desks and passport areas, and creating flex spaces.
New Business:
Highland Library Presentation: Manager Eric Lucius gave a presentation highlighting the new study pod and a new signature event. The Renaissance Faire turned the branch into a medieval village for a day. Music, costumes, activities, and crafts made for a lively celebration attended by over 300 patrons.
Resolution 26-10: Mr. Koran motioned, and Ms. Krzemienieswki seconded the motion that the Medina County District Library Board of Trustees, in celebration of National Library Card Sign-Up Month, welcomes all community members back to the library and waives the $0.50 library card replacement fee for September 2026. Motion carried.
Resolution 26-11: Ms. Flannery motioned, and Ms. Krzemienieswki seconded the motion that the Medina County District Library Board of Trustees hereby approves a Wine and Canvas event on September 12 at the Medina Library. Motion carried.
Cancellation of August Board Meeting: Mr. Jakab motioned, and Ms. Flannery seconded the motion to cancel the regular August 2026 meeting. Motion carried.
Donations: Mr. Harr motioned, and Mr. Koran seconded the motion to approve the following donations for June. Motion carried.
- Carole Kowell: $200
- Linda Markus/Home Depot: $50 in supplies for Brunswick Children’s Department’s Dino Dig sensory program
- Jamie Adkins: One copy of each of his books: The After Effect of Alcohol and Drug Abuse and The Drinker in Me
- Tina Sabol: $50 in memory of Barbara Steingass
- Rikki Niknam: $25
- Tim Saito: $100 in memory of Barbara Steingass
- Laura Kettering / Buckeye Library Staff: $50 in memory of Barbara Steingass
- Julianne Bedel: $50 in memory of Barbara Steingass
- Roberta Johnson: $100 in memory of Barbara Steingass
- Bryan Penvose: $500 in memory of Barbara Steingass
- Kimberly Bartula: $50 in memory of Barbara Steingass
- Eloise Rice: $40 in memory of Barbara Steingass
- Tony Marini: a copy of his book Spindy the Christmas Spider
The donations were accepted with gratitude.
2026 Board Vice President: Mr. Jacob motioned and Ms. Krzemienieswki seconded the motion to approve William Koran as Vice President of the Board for the remainder of this year. Motion carried.
President Parker appointed Mr. Koran to serve as Chair of the Buildings Committee.
Trustees Comments:
Mr. Harr thanked Mr. Lucius for his presentation. He congratulated those celebrating work anniversaries. He looks forward to further discussion of the Facilities Plan.
Ms. Flannery thanked Mr. Lucius for his presentation. She was impressed with this new event attended by 300 patrons. She congratulated those celebrating work anniversaries.
Mr. Koran congratulated Mr. Lucius on a successful new event. He appreciated the work Ms. Vachon contributed to the Board and was sorry to see her go. He appreciated the discussion of the Facilities Plan.
Ms. Krzemienieswki thanked Mr. Lucius for his presentation. She congratulated those celebrating work anniversaries. She looks forward to discussing the Facilities Plan at the next committee meeting.
Mr. Jakab thanked Mr. Lucius for his presentation. He would like to have a proposed timeline for further levy discussions.
Mr. Parker thanked Mr. Lucius for his presentation and growing attendance at the branch with many different projects. He thanked Ms. Vachon for her service to MCDL. He thanked Mr. Koran for filling in as Vice President and Building Committee Chair. He thanked everyone for their hard work on the Building, Finance, and Personnel Committees.
Adjournment: There being no further business, Mr. Harr motioned, and Ms. Flannery seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 p.m. Motion carried.
Caleb Parker, President
Ann Marie Flannery, Secretary
NEXT BOARD MEETING
Monday, September 21, 2026
6:00 p.m.
Medina Library