Cleveland Heights – University Heights Public Library Board of Trustees meeting highlights 3-18-2019
MARCH 18, 2019
- Purchase of computers
- Financial report
- Suicide prevention training
- CIFF partnership
- Lee Road space utilization study
- Mobile pantry at Coventry
- Report on elimination of overdue fines
- UH Branch Library Sunday events
- Youth services
Present were President Chris Mentrek, Vice President James Roosa, Secretary Dana Fluellen, Max Gerboc, Annette Iwamoto, Suzanne Moskowitz, and Vikas Turakhia.
Purchase of computers
The board approved a resolution to approve the purchase of 101 new replacement computers for the library. Computers are replaced on a 5-year rotating basis.
Financial report
The libraries’ fiscal officer reviewed the February financial statement. Total cash balances across the operating accounts, Bauer Fund accounts, and investment accounts at the end of January was $16,012,834.76. The board accepted the financial report.
Suicide prevention training
Last month, 27 employees attended Gatekeeper (QPR) suicide prevention training. People trained in QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) learn to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help.
CIFF partnership
A partnership was confirmed between the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) and the CH-UH Public Libraries. The library logo is on the CIFF program book and library staff will get to speak for a minute before each of the three screenings of The Little Comrade on April 3, 5, and 6.
Lee Road space utilization study
Staff members are making note of how library customers use the Lee Road library during a two-week time period in March. It has been 12 years since the use of the building has been examined. Results of the study will inform planning for future revisions, such as carpeting, meeting rooms, and staff spaces.
Mobile pantry at Coventry
The library will partner with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank to host a mobile pantry one day a month this summer at the Coventry Village Branch Library. This event will serve adults 18 years and older. More details will be forthcoming.
Report on elimination of overdue fines
Circulation Services Manager Ty Emerson presented a report on the elimination of nearly all overdue fines since January 2018. The only fines that still occur are for Hotspots and videogames. The change was made to remove a barrier to access of materials for library customers. Instead of a steep decline in fines paid in cash, the library saw an increase of $4,000. Circulation also increased; there was a 1.28 percent increase in first-time circulation of physical materials.
UH Branch Library Sunday events
Weekend programs were moved from Saturdays to Sundays at the University Heights branch to improve attendance. Reading & Rescue, typically offered on Saturdays, saw an increase of 168 percent when held on Sundays.
Youth services
In February, youth services staff visited six preschools, daycares, and schools, reading stories to 249 children. Librarians visiting the high school engaged with 75 teens. Youth services librarians also put on two African and Caribbean folktale puppet shows attended by 91 people.
Next meeting will be held at the Lee Road Library on Monday, April 15 at 6:30 p.m.
LWV Observer, Elizabeth M. Tracy.
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These reports contain member observation and selected highlights of public meetings and are not official statements of the Heights Chapter of the League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland. This disclaimer must accompany any redistribution of these reports.