Board Minutes Aug. 18, 2026

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE CUYAHOGA FALLS LIBRARY and 
The William and Margaretta Taylor Memorial Association 

REGULAR MEETING 
Tuesday, August 18, 2026 
Sutliff Room 

1. Call To Order:

Robin Worthington called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. 

In Attendance: 

Robin Worthington, Karen Schofield, Sandy Zirke, Cheryl Bruce, Mike Dunton, Bradley LeBoeuf, Christine Stewart, Sean Blake. Director Andrew Harant, Assistant Director Jennifer Reynard, Fiscal Officer Kevin Gemmell  

Excused: Bryan Van Sweringen, Noah Spinner, Rick Rubin 

2. Adoption of Agenda: 

Karen Schofield moved to approve the agenda of the Regular Board Meeting of August 18, 2026, as amended. 2nd by Mike Dunton. Motion passed unanimously.  

3. Approval of Minutes:

Mike Dunton moved to approve the minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of July 21, 2026. 2nd by Cheryl Bruce. Two abstentions: Sean Blake and Robin  

Worthington.  Motion passed. 

4. Board Education:

• Assistant Director Jennifer Reynard spoke about Research Resources. She explained which Research Resources the library offers, which are local and national, and how the Board reviews the payment for these services. She also explained how what we offer is based on engagement and community feedback. 

5. Public Participation:

• Raelene Gorlinsky was present and chose not to speak. 

6. Treasurer’s Report:

Resolution 26-43: Move that the Cuyahoga Falls Library Board of Trustees approve the payment of bills for July 2026 in the amount of $333,382.21. Sandy Zirke. 2nd by Sean Blake. Passed unanimously. 

Resolution 26-44: Move that the Cuyahoga Falls Library Board of Trustees approve the Acme Community Cash Back donation of $625.72 and move it to Staff Appreciation (101.0.53735). Sandy Zirke. 2nd by Sean Blake. Passed unanimously. 

It was reported that the library received $137,887.73 in PLF revenue. 

Resolution 26-45: Move that the Cuyahoga Falls Library Board of Trustees accept the August Financial Report subject to audit. Sandy Zirke. 2nd by Mike Dunton. Passed unanimously. 

7. Board President Report:

• Thank you to our Assistant Director, Jennifer, for sharing information about research resources. Your commitment to the Cuyahoga Falls Library is deeply appreciated. 

• I want to express my gratitude to the generous patrons who donated items for the Cuyahoga Falls Schools Black Tiger Family Center. 

• As you will notice in the Personnel Report, the Library is now fully staffed. 

• I hope you have noticed the new landscaping around the building. The improvements have made the outdoor spaces are so much more welcoming. 

• And finally, a shout out to the Children’s Department for fostering and supporting a lifelong love of reading with our youngest patrons. Manager Amy G. Librarians Angela, Ellie and Mia and the Children’s Library Assistants Julie B., Lindsey, Helen and Beth M.-thank you for thoughtfully choosing creative, interactive programs, materials and activities. We read each month of all the positive comments from parents, grandparents, and caregivers regarding how much they appreciate all you do for children. Your dedication and passion is appreciated! Thank you! 

8. Committee Reports:

1. Building:  
   No Report 
2. Policies/Bylaws Review: 
   Review use of Artificial Intelligence Policy 
   Will meet again in September to talk about a vehicle for home bound use 
3. Finance/Audit Committee:  
   No Report 
4. Graefe Memorial:  
   No Report 
5. Personnel Committee:  
   Will be meeting soon to review the Director Job Description 
6. Affleck Scholarship Committee: 
   No Report 
7. Strategic Planning Committee: 
   No Report
    
   9. Director’s Report:

• This month’s Treasurer’s Report features a $2,000 grant from the Akron Community Fund. This is the third year that we have received this grant. This year, it is being combined with another grant from the City of Cuyahoga Falls to create a preschool depository collection. This rotation collection will be housed in CFCSD’s Preschool classroom. Students will check them out with their CFL library cards from their classroom and be able to take them home with them. Through this program, the preschool students will learn library skills and have an opportunity to bring library books home to promote literacy and encourage family reading time. 

• I’m excited to announce a new collaboration between the library and the school district starting next month. Roar and Read! for grades K-5 will be a fall reading challenge that operates similarly to our summer reading program. Students, with help from their parents, will register and track reading through CFL’s new reading challenge software from Communico. Teachers will help promote and encourage students to enroll and participate. Incentives and prizes will be provided by both the school and the library.  Children’s Manager Amy Galluch, Marketing and PR Manager Danielle Welling-Harris, and Assistant Director Jennifer Reynard collaborated with CFCSD Assistant Superintendent Jodie Haussman and her team on this new idea. 

• This year’s Summer Reading Program concluded on Monday, August 10. Registration, number of people completing the program (particularly children and teens), and total overall minutes read all increased from last year. 

• A patron’s power bank that he was recharging in the library malfunctioned and caught fire on Monday, August 10 about 5:45pm. Staff acted quickly and handled the incident well, including pulling the fire alarm, calling 9-1-1, clearing the building, and even singing songs with children to keep them calm and occupied while waiting. 

• We experienced a power outage prior to opening on Saturday, August 8, necessitating a delayed opening and a change in plans to our end-of-summer-reading events. A concert with local children’s musician Mr. Jeff was cancelled and rescheduled for later this month. We were able to proceed with the planned ice cream social and afternoon concert for all ages by Librarians with Hickeys, but attendance was not what we had hoped. 

• Downtown Cuyahoga Falls Partnership’s trick or treat event is scheduled for Sunday, October 11 from 2-4 pm. Are there any trustees able to help with this event? (Sundays are very difficult for library staff to do outreach). We would also welcome candy donations. 

• This year’s legislative breakfast was canceled due to lack of availability from most of our elected officials. 

• Our new landscapers reset some brick pavers to repair a tripping hazard on the patio along Broad Boulevard. They did this work pro bono as a thank-you for being new clients of theirs. 

10.  Personnel Report:

• RESOLUTION 26-47: Move that the Cuyahoga Falls Library Board of Trustees approve the July 2026 Personnel Report. Sean Blake 2nd by Cheryl Bruce. Motion passed unanimously  

11. Unfinished Business: 

• No Report 

12. New Business: 

• Staff Development Day will be October 12, 2026. The board was invited to join the staff for lunch. 

13. Adjournment:

Mike Dunton moved to adjourn the meeting. 2nd by Karen Schofield. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 6:53 pm. 

Approved By
Robin Worthington, Board President         
Karen Schofield, Secretary