Record of Proceedings
Adams County Public Library
Board of Trustees Regular Meeting
North Adams Public Library
June 10, 2026 – 5:30 p.m.
The Adams County Public Library Board of Trustees met on June 10, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. for a regular meeting at North Adams Public Library.
Phil Rhonemus called the meeting to order. Members present were Kayla Bowman, Linda Stepp, Linda Worley, Elaine Lafferty, Sarah Shelton, and Holly Johnson. Also present were Executive Director Nicholas Slone, Fiscal Officer Steven Harris, and Digital Services Coordinator Josh Brown.
There was no public participation.
Minutes of the previous Board of Trustees meeting were reviewed and discussed. Motion #1 made by Elaine Lafferty, seconded by Holly Johnson to approve the minutes of the meeting held May 13, 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 Linda Stepp, 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 Sarah Shelton to approve the County Tax Budget as presented by the Fiscal Officer. Motion carried. All yeas.
Motion #4 made by Sarah Shelton, seconded by Elaine Lafferty, to amend 2026 appropriations to include $1,200.00 in Special Revenue grant funding for the LSTA Summer Library Program Grant project retroactive to May 13, 2026. Motion carried.
All yea.
Report of Executive Director
Nick reviewed our statistics reports, Public Services report, Digital Services report, and Outreach report for May. We are putting more emphasis on all age programming. We have been working heavily on Cybersecurity.
Nick is working on the shelter house policy. Manchester roof sealing has been completed. There are some additional flashing issues to repair. He has been attending demos for new library management software selection but it won’t be implemented until later in 2027.
The stump has been removed at West Union and sod is to be put down soon. Mike Pell donated two flower barrels and $500.00 toward the purchase of a book bench. The cost of the book bench is approximately $2,100.00 plus $500.00 shipping. The bench comes blank then needs to be painted or wrapped. We have acquired a US major dailies product from Ohio Net which will save a significant amount on the subscription cost of the Wall Street Journal and New York Times.
Motion #5 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
5:52 pm Motion #6 made by Linda Worley, seconded by Elaine Lafferty, to enter into Executive Session to discuss security arrangements (ORC 121.22 (G)(6). Roll call, Phil Rhonemus—yea, Kayla Bowman—yea, Linda Stepp—yea, Linda Worley—yea, Elaine Lafferty—yea, Holly Johnson – yea, and Sarah Shelton – yea.
6:06 p.m. Reconvene in regular session.
Motion #7 made by Linda Stepp, seconded by Sarah Shelton, to adopt proposed Policy Sections 4.510 – Cybersecurity and 3.170 – Acceptable Use of Technology. Motion carried. All yea.
Kayla Bowman has bee reappointed to serve a full four-year term as board member. Nick discussed the new rules related to board member terms.
Motion #8 made by Linda Worley, seconded by Linda Stepp, to revise Policy Section 1.200 – Bylaws, Article IV – Library Board Members, Section D – Terms, to conform with changes to Ohio Revised Code Section 3375.22, which establishes the length of new Trustee term as 4 years, after the effective date of September 30, 2025. Motion carried. All yea.
Holly Johnson updated the board on the progress of the North Adams shelter house. The plan is to have a ribbon cutting ceremony after the county fair in July. The bricks at North Adams have been cleaned. They are going to replace the Hostas in front of the library with large flower pots.
New Business
Holly suggested that to raise funds for the Imagination Library that we have a “Dine with Dolly” at restaurants around the county or a “Dollar for Dolly” at the basketball games.
Holly said that Judge Spencer provided an additional $1,000.00 for the Imagination Library graduation. Janice has been working on getting this together.
Holly also suggested that we need to make sure we thank our summer reading sponsors for their donations as they may like to get some press on what they are doing for the library.
Holly also thought it would be a good idea to get some “I got my first library card” yard signs for kids to get their picture with so they could post it and promote the library.
The possibility of Beta Club members volunteering was also discussed.
Motion #9 made by Linda Stepp, seconded by Elaine Lafferty, to cancel the July 8, 2026 board of trustees meeting. Motion carried. All yea.
Adjournment
Motion #10 made by Linda Worley, seconded by Linda Stepp since there is no further business, the meeting is adjourned to meet in regular session at the West Union Public Library, Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.