July 31, 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

Logan County Libraries
 

Knowlton Library
220 North Main Street * Bellefontaine, OHIO 43311-2228
Phone (937) 599-4189 * Fax (937) 599-5503
www.LoganCountyLibraries.org
 

Logan County Libraries Board of Trustees
Meeting Minutes – July 31, 2025


The Logan County Libraries Board of Trustees met in regular session on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 4:00 PM at the Knowlton Library, Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311. 
Members present were President Sharon Halter, Robert Barnwell, Steve Fansler, Lauren Ater, and Stephen Henry, along with Director Beverly Arlequeeuw and Fiscal Officer Stacy Sandy. John Tucci was absent. 
There was no public participation this month.  
The minutes of May were not available for review at this meeting because they were recorded by the board secretary, Mrs. Goodrich, who passed away in July. President Halter requested that Mrs. Goodrich’s family return her library laptop so the minutes could be recovered, along with all the Board meeting paperwork.

FINANCIAL REPORT

The Fiscal Officer gave the monthly financial report ending May 31, 2025:

  • The General Fund showed a cash balance of $336,045.12.
  • The Capital Project Fund showed a cash balance of $741,917.58.
  • The Susie Parker Trust Fund showed a total balance of $66,124.27.
  • The Hazel G Moore Memorial Fund showed a cash balance of $9,064.97.
     

Mr. Henry made a motion to accept the Fiscal Officer's report, seconded by Mr. Barnwell. Motion carried.

The Fiscal Officer requested a General Fund transfer of $14,000 from Account 5110 to Account 4320 to cover Hoopla payments, and a transfer of $1,000 from Account 7910 Susie Parker Trust Fund principal account to Account 7920, the Susie Parker Scholarship Fund, to pay scholarship recipients. Mr. Fansler approved of the transfers, seconded by Mr. Henry. Motion carried. 
The Director reviewed the Public Library Fund revenue to date. She noted a decrease in July 2025 compared to July 2024. The PLF shows an overall increase of $51,505.00 for 2025. 

CORRESPONDENCE

Board President Halter read thank-you notes from two recipients of the Susie Parker Scholarship. Additionally, the library staff sent thank-you notes to the Board in celebration of Staff Appreciation Day.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

  • The Fiscal Officer presented the final version of the Staff Handbook and noted the changes discussed and tabled by the Trustees during the May meeting. 
    Mr. Fansler made a motion to accept the final version of the Staff Handbook, seconded by Ms. Ater. Motion carried.
     
  • The Director and Fiscal Officer presented the proposal submitted by Siemens for the upgrades to the fire alarm system, which involves adding a new conventional smoke detector above the existing Fire Alarm Control Panel. The new system upgrades also include replacing the landline dialer with a new cellular dialer for monitoring purposes. The total price of this proposal is $13,655. The proposal was tabled at the May board meeting to be discussed further at the July meeting. 

    Mr. Fansler made a motion to accept the Siemens proposal, seconded by Mr. Henry. All opposed. Motion was not carried. 

    The board has requested that the Fiscal Officer evaluate the capabilities of the landline dialer and determine the cost of replacing it with a new one.

    Mr. Barnwell made a motion to table this proposal until more information is gathered, seconded by Ms. Ater. Motion carried.
     
  • The Director presented the Lease Agreement for the Village of West Liberty, which had been tabled from the May board meeting. Since the Village was unwilling to remove item #13, which pertains to the Non-liability of the Village for Damages and Indemnity, the board concluded that it would be preferable to forgo the lease entirely rather than retain this wording.

    Mr. Fansler made a motion to decline the lease as presented and take no further action, seconded by Ms. Ater. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

  • President Halter discussed filling the role of the board secretary, which was vacated by Mrs. Goodrich. Additionally, Mrs. Halter requested input from board members on potential candidates to fill the remainder of Mrs. Goodrich’s seat.
  • Director and Fiscal Officer provided an update on the State Budget. The PLF, which was previously a percentage of the GRF, is now a line-item appropriation in the State Budget (HB96). OLC reported that this was a difficult budget for many organizations and State agencies across Ohio. Any items that were vetoed by the Governor may be overridden by Legislation up until December 31, 2026. The biggest item of concern that may be overridden by legislation is the Library Materials Language. This item takes away first amendment rights if library materials are “hidden” from view for patrons under 18.
  • HB96 has changed the terms for library trustees from 7 years to 4 years. This change applies to new trustees and reappointed trustees starting on September 30, 2025; it does not affect the terms of current trustees.
  • All public libraries in Ohio are required to implement a cybersecurity program by July 1, 2026. This requirement is established by Ohio Revised Code 9.64 and aims to protect public data, information technology, and IT resources from cyber threats. In the event of a cyberattack, incidents must be reported to the Ohio Department of Public Safety/Homeland Security within 7 days of discovery, and to the State Auditor within 30 days of discovery. The Director will collaborate with Aunalytics to develop a cybersecurity program that integrates with our current library computer system and network.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

  • STATISTICS REPORT FOR 2025:
    • Circulation for June 2025:
      o The system showed an overall increase of 1,995 items compared to June 2024.
      o The Ohio Digital Library circulation was 6,380.
  • STAFF NEWS
    • Abigail Cooksey was hired as the West Liberty Branch Librarian for 30 hours per week, beginning June 9, 2025.
    • Margee McClain resigned from the floater position at the Lakeview Branch Library, effective immediately.
    • Marcia Linch resigned from the branch librarian position at the Lakeview Branch Library, effective 9/1/2025.
    • We are currently interviewing for the replacement of the Lakeview Branch Librarian.
  • OTHER:
    • The Director provided a brief update on the Lakeview Building project, stating that it could take up to two more years before the building is completed.
    • The Director highlighted the August calendar of events.

      The next regular Board meeting will take place on Thursday, August 21, at 4:00 pm at the Knowlton Library in the Barnwell Board Room. 
      There being no other business, upon motion by Mr. Henry, seconded by Ms. Ater, the meeting was adjourned at 5:04 P.M.
       

Sharon Halter, President                                          Beverly Arlequeeuw, Acting Secretary