All board members present.

Maureen Weisblatt retires

In honor of Weisblatt’s retirement as branch manager of the University Heights Library, Library Board President Gerald Blake read a resolution honoring her 30 years of service. Weisblatt commented that when she and her spouse moved from New Jersey upon his taking a new job in the Cleveland area, she accepted the position at University Heights intending to stay only a short time. Thirty years later it was time to retire.

Financial report

Library Business Manager James Teknipp reported that the library’s money market account at StarOhio had climbed to 2.33%. He reminded the board that the Public Library Fund, replacing the Local Government Fund [state support], is new. Prior year distribution was $233,000 for this period, and this year’s was $217,000. Earlier distributions were higher than those under the old fund.

Dobama Theater

A Dobama representative attending the meeting said that Dobama expected its 50th season to begin in the library space in September 2009. Board member Glenn Billington had been working with Dobama on an operating agreement. The board voted to accept the operating agreement, with board member Eric Silverman abstaining without comment.

Children’s Services

In addressing the Implementation Report for the Balanced Scorecard, Acting Director Hakala-Ausperk called on Children’s Services Coordinator Amy Switzer to talk about her department’s activities. Switzer mentioned a collaborative wiki called Wet Paint and an internal blog. Both of these projects aid communication with Children’s Services staff across shifts and buildings.

Meeting room usage

Programming Coordinator Tonya Gibson gave an overview of the first year with the new policy extending facility usage to social groups in addition to 501(c)(3) nonprofit groups. Nonprofits can meet once monthly at no charge, and social groups pay $20 an hour for residents and $30 an hour for non-residents. Through August, 854 groups have used meeting rooms with fees totaling $7,135.

LWV observer: Anne S. McFarland