Board Minutes February 2026

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

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

REGULAR MEETING 
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 
Sutliff Room 

Call To Order: 

Robin Worthington called the meeting to order at 6:03 pm. 

Attendance: 

Noah Spinner, Sean Blake, Robin Worthington, Michael Bowman, Rick Rubin, Karen Schofield, Cheryl Bruce, Mike Dunton, Sandy Zirke, Bradley LeBoeuf, Director Andrew Harant, Assistant Director Jennifer Reynard, Fiscal Officer Kevin Gemmell  

Excused: Bryan Van Sweringen 

Adoption of Agenda:  

Sean Blake moved to adopt the agenda. 2nd by Rick Rubin. Motion passed unanimously. 

Approval of Minutes: 

Cheryl Bruce moved to approve the Regular Board Meeting of January 27, 2026. 2nd by Noah Spinner. Motion passed unanimously.  

Board Education: 

  • Assistant Director Jennifer Reynard explained that the library is creating a new program called the CFL VIP Tour & Presentation. This will be a presentation on library programs, what the board does for the library, the library’s catalog services, resources that the library offers for students and teachers, the Library of Things and Levy information. This presentation will be open to the public, but will be targeted toward new CFL library card registrants. 
  • Director Andrew Harant reviewed the training EveryLibrary provided to the staff. He spoke about how Every Library is a pro bono service that has helped over 100 libraries with their Levy campaigns. He recapped how Every Library advised about what you can and cannot do as a library in relation to a Levy campaign, how voters relate to a library, and library stats. 

Public Participation:  

  • None 

Treasurer’s Report: 

Resolution 26-08: Move that the Cuyahoga Falls Library Board of Trustee approve the payment of bills for January 2026 in the amount of $370,452.76. Sandy Zirke. 2nd by Mike Dunton. Passed unanimously. 

It was reported that the library received $133,020.34. in PLF revenue. 

Resolution 26-09: Move that the Cuyahoga Falls Library Board of Trustees accept the January Financial Report subject to audit. Sandy Zirke. 2nd by Mike Dunton. Passed unanimously. 

Board President Report: 

  • Thank you to Jennifer and Andy for their excellent Board education presentations to keep us updated with a few of the many ways they work daily to enhance our Library. 
  • A welcome to the newest staff member, Kade Stahl, hired as a custodian. The Library is now fully staffed. 
  • A grateful recognition to our generous donors this month, $100 donated by the Donohoo family and $252 in anonymous donations. 
  • A shout out to the entire Circulation Department for the excellent work they do! Among other duties, Circulation staff members answer phone calls, answer questions about patrons’ accounts, check in and check out books, and shelve books. Thank you to the Circulation Coordinator , Cynthia, and her staff: Brooke, Akasha, Adrienne, Julie G., Gabby, Sue, Katherine L., Puspa. What a cheerful group who make eye contact and give a welcoming greeting to each person as they enter and as they leave the Library. Your work is appreciated! 
  • And finally, I applaud Danielle this month as she continues to advocate for our Library. I thank her for her exceptional PR skills and the variety of ways she reaches out to our community to promote the Library that we all love. 

Committee Reports: 

  1. Building:  The committee met last week and reviewed the energy audit. The committee also reviewed the Suncrest Gardens report about updating the outside of the building. 

  2. Policies/Bylaws Review:  
    The committee will meet next week. 
  3. Finance/Audit Committee:  Updates on the progress of the HINKLE and Audit were provided. 

  4. Graefe Memorial: No Report 

  5. Personnel Committee:  
    Will be meeting to begin updating the job descriptions of the Fiscal Officer & Director. 

  6. Affleck Scholarship Committee: The committee will be presenting a draft which has updated parameters of the Affleck Scholarship. 

  7. Strategic Planning Committee: The committee will be meeting soon.

Director’s Report: 

  • The Director reviewed CFL’s campaign thus far to provide information to the community about the upcoming levy issue on the ballot. So far all responses from community members have been very positive. 
  • People were invited to share personal stories about “Why they love CFL” during February, aka “Library Lover’s Month.” Those who shared a story were entered into a gift card raffle. 178 responses had been received so far. The Director shared several of the stories. Many of these will be used in marketing pieces throughout the year. 
  • SearchOhio returned as a soft launch of the new system on Monday February 9. A soft launch of adding OhioLink to the new system has been pushed back to March 2. Innovative is providing CFL with a $6,400 credit (24%) due to the extra 3 months of downtime of SearchOhio. 
  • The online vendor for CFL-branded clothing provided notice of a Trademark Takedown request from an undisclosed complainant. After consulting with the Library’s attorney on how best to proceed, staff will redesign the “I Otter Be Reading” line. 
  • The Cuyahoga Falls Library Foundation held its first official meeting after its Articles of Incorporation were filed, and a slate of officers were elected. 
  • The Director thanked Trustees Robin Worthington and Noah Spinner for helping him at the Chocolate Walk on Feb 7. 
  • The Director reminded the trustees about some upcoming Ohio Library Council events 

Personnel Report: 

  • RESOLUTION 26-10: Move that the Cuyahoga Falls Library Board of Trustees approve the January 2026 Personnel Report. Sean Blake. 2nd by Karen Schofield. Passed Unanimously  

Unfinished Business:  

  • None 

New Business:  

  • None 

Executive Session: 

Rick Rubin moved that the Cuyahoga Falls Library Board of Trustees enter executive session to discuss the compensation of public employees at 7:21 pm by Mike Dunton and roll call vote was called. 

Robin Worthington - yes                      
Rick Rubin – yes  
Sean Blake – yes                          
Karen Schofield - yes 
Mike Dunton – yes                     
Michael Bowman – yes
Bradley LeBoeuf – yes                       
Noah Spinner – yes 
Sandy Zirke - yes                         
 Cheryl Bruce – yes 

The Board entered public session at 8:45pm. 

  • RESOLUTION 26-11: Move that the Cuyahoga Falls Library Board of Trustees increase the salary of the Fiscal Officer Kevin Gemmell by 2.5% for the Calander year 2026. Rick Rubin. 2nd by Mike Dunton. Motion Passed 9 to 1 
  • RESOLUTION 26-12: Move that the Cuyahoga Falls Library Board of Trustees increase the salary of the Director Andrew Harant by 2.5% for the Calander year 2026. Rick Rubin. 2nd by Mike Dunton. Motion Passed 9 to 1 

Adjournment: 

Rick Rubin moved to adjourn the meeting. 2nd by Cheryl Bruce. Meeting adjourned at 8:52 pm. 

Approved by Robin Worthington, Board President

Approved by Karen Schofield, Secretary