Record of Proceedings
Adams County Public Library
Board of Trustees Regular Meeting
West Union Public Library
April 8, 2026 – 5:30 p.m.
The Adams County Public Library Board of Trustees met on April 8, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. for a regular meeting at West Union Public Library.
Phil Rhonemus called the meeting to order. Members present were Linda Worley, Linda Stepp, Elaine Lafferty, Kayla Bowman, and Holly Johnson. Sarah Shelton was excused. Also present were Executive Director Nicholas Slone, Assistant Director Julia Knox- McCane, and Fiscal Officer Steven Harris.
There was no public participation.
Minutes of the previous Board of Trustees meeting were reviewed and discussed. Motion #1 made by Linda Stepp, seconded by Holly Johnson to approve the minutes of the meeting held March 11, 2026. Motion carried. All yeas.
Report of Fiscal Officer
The financial reports submitted by the Fiscal Officer were reviewed and discussed. Motion #2 made by Elaine Lafferty, seconded by Kayla Bowman to accept the financial reports of the Fiscal Officer and approve the payment of bills. Motion carried. All yeas.
Motion #3 made by Linda Worley, seconded by Holly Johnson to approve the transfer of $398.00 from account 2001-110-459-1000 Other Supplies to 2001-110-390-1000 Other Purchased and Contracted Services for Ohio Goes to the Movies effective March 31, 2026. Motion carried. All yeas.
Report of Executive Director
Julia provided an overview of the library’s summer programs and answered questions from the board about the programs. She also informed the board that the library was awarded the LSTA Summer Library Program grant which should cover 75% of the cost to bring Family Traditions Animal Adventures to each library to show how today’s animals relate to the dinosaurs.
Nick reported that annual state library report has been filed. The digital version of the Wall Street Journal is now active. We have been working on the renewal for the Ohio Plan property and liability coverage. We are still working on roofing and flashing repair at Manchester. Nick included an update on property taxes and what it would mean to the library if we lost our levy funded. The levy provides about 30% of our funding. He attended Legislative Day but was unable to meet with Representative Pizzuli’s office but met with Senator Terry Johnson’s aide. He included information on the statewide OLC poll indicating that libraries are broadly popular.
Nick discussed two patron behavioral issues at Manchester. The incident with the youth required police involvement. We discussed our responses, training, and things we can do to in the future if these problems arise. Written incident reports were prepared.
Nikki Gerber of Moon Doggie Livery contacted Nick about playing the movie Ohio, Wild at Heart. We are going to be showing this movie at the libraries to kick off the summer reading programs.
The bikes are out for the summer. The Health and Wellness Coalition is planning another bike ride as part of its bike safety program at North Adams.
We are looking into an alternative for our meeting room reservation software that is being discontinued. We are also looking into offsite backup alternatives for our servers.
We are going to be resealing and painting lines for the library parking lots. The Outreach van is having a transmission issue and the Ford Transit needs brakes.
Records disposal and retention is going to be a big project this summer as we are behind. We need to amend the bylaws to incorporate the new ORC limiting board member terms to four years.
Nick reviewed the library statistics report, public service report, digital services report, and outreach report for March.
Motion #4 made by Linda Stepp, seconded by Holly Johnson, to accept donations, acknowledge volunteer services, and approve library support group activities as requested. Motion carried. All yeas.
Old Business
We received a LED lighting upgrade quote from Grace Energy Services for the four libraries. This is the only quote we have received at this point. We are planning to obtain additional quotes including through the Equalis buying cooperative.
Holly Johnson provided updates on the North Adams shelter house being constructed by the North Adams Friends group. They ran into a significant issue regarding access to electric and water as everything is housed in the mechanical room of the library on opposite end of the building from the planned shelter house. This significantly increased the cost and complexity of the running electric and water the shelter house. The alternative proposal is to install a new water meter and electric meter just for the shelter
house which will dramatically reduce the cost and complexity of the project. The Friends intent to get the water tap in their name and then turn it over to the library upon project completion. However, the library would have an additional water and electric bill each month for the shelter house. The Village of Seaman is willing to turn the water off for the winter and turn it back on in the spring each year. The Friends are going to get this in writing.
Motion #5 made by Linda Stepp, seconded by Elaine Lafferty, to authorize the Executive Director to sign the Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of a shelter house by the North Adams Friends Group at the North Adams Library contingent upon legal counsel approving an addendum, if necessary, related to the installation of the new utility meters in the Friends name. Motion passed. All yea with Holly Johnson abstaining.
Holly Johnson brought forth a proposal from the Health and Wellness Coalition to plant a small community garden at the North Adams Library for teaching gardening techniques to the youth. They would provide all the materials. If a staff member is willing to
participate in maintaining the garden, the library could receive funds to offset a portion of the staff member’s salary.
The board discussed what could be done at the West Union Library in the area where a tree had to be removed for utility purposes. The area is now just a stump and rocks. The idea of placing a bench in that location was discussed.
New Business
Motion #6 made by Holly Johnson, seconded by Kaya Bowman, to accept the $1500.00 donation from the Adams County Courts. Motion passed. All yea.
Motion #7 made by Linda Stepp, seconded by Elaine Lafferty, to accept the proposal from Chad McFarland for sealing and lining the parking lots at each library location in the amount of $7,557.18. Motion passed. All yea.
6:56 pm Motion #8 made by Linda Worley, seconded by Linda Stepp, to enter into Executive Session to discuss the employment and compensation of employees (ORC 121.22 (G)(1). Roll call, Phil Rhonemus—yea, Linda Worley—yea, Linda Stepp—yea, Kayla Bowman—yea, Elaine Lafferty—yea, and Holly Johnson – yea.
7:15 p.m. Reconvene in regular session.
Motion #9 made my Linda Worley, seconded by Linda Stepp, to accept the resignation of Brittany Crothers effective April 15, 2026 with regret. Motion passed. All yea.
Adjournment
Motion #10 made by Linda Worley, seconded by Elaine Lafferty, since there is no further business, the meeting is adjourned to meet in regular session at the Manchester Public Library, Wednesday, May 13, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.