GCPL Board Approves Sale of Current Chardon Branch to New Covenant Fellowship for $1,250,000 and Subsequent Lease Back to GCPL for 2 Years
Geauga County Public Library (GCPL) Regular Board Meeting - August 18, 2026
Meeting: The GCPL Board met on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 4:00 pm at the Geauga West Branch. This Board Meeting was in-person with a virtual attendance option. To access the virtual option, see information here. The meeting was not recorded. Minutes of this meeting will be posted on the GCPL website after they are approved at the next Board meeting.
Observer Note: Each member of the GCPL Board and Staff receives a copy of the meeting packet, as does this Observer. It is available upon request in accordance with Ohio public records law (ORC 149.43). The board discusses and votes on the information in the packet. This Observer Report is made up of decisions made at the board meeting and information taken from the board packet.
Public Comment: Permitted and included in the regular order of business per GCPL bylaws. Further clarified in Policy 215 - Public Participation at Board Meetings.
Board Attendance: President Crist Miller, Vice President Joshua Hutchinson and Board Trustees Karen Delano, Jake Yanchar, Kathryn Pitrone, and Paul A. Newman were present. Board Trustee Kristen Brickman was absent.
Library Staff Attendance:
Erika Noark, Geauga West
Nicole Burnside, HR
Marlene Pelyhes, Technical Services
Michael Pope, IT
Debbie Schrock, Development Coordinator
Others in Attendance: Krista Smith, Project Manager, Regency Construction Services, and LWVG Observers Carol Benton and Bari Oyler Stith.
The meeting was called to order at 4:00 pm.
Oath of Office: Crist Miller took the oath of office, administered by Ms. Farrell, following his reappointment to the Library Board of Trustees by the Geauga Board of County Commissioners. Mr. Miller affirmed that he would support the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Ohio and faithfully and impartially discharge his duties as a trustee in accordance with applicable laws.
Minutes: Minutes of the July 21, 2026 Regular Board Meeting were approved. Board minutes are available online when posted.
Communications: None
Agenda: The agenda presented in the board packet was approved as included in the Board packet.
Fiscal Officer’s Report - Ms. Havlin
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July Disbursements and Gifts were approved.
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Approval of Updates to Operating Policy 304 – Budgetary Level of Control - Ms. Havlin requested approval of updates to Operating Policy 304. The changes were necessary because two new funds had been established in connection with the Public Library Fund (PLF) notes—one to account for related revenues and expenditures and another for debt service. The appropriate budgetary levels of control were assigned based on similar existing funds. The Board approved the policy updates.
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Approval of Resolution #26-07 – 2026 Appropriations - The Board approved Resolution #26-07 to amend 2026 appropriations associated with expenditures funded by the PLF notes.
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Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) One Update - Ms. Havlin reported that negotiations for GMP 1, covering the site package, had been completed. The Board had previously authorized a not-to-exceed amount of approximately $2.8 million. The final GMP was approximately $2.757 million, slightly below the authorized limit.
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Update on Budget Hearing with the Budget Commission - Ms. Havlin also provided an update on the budget hearing held earlier that day with the Budget Commission. The requested estimated amounts were approved. Questions arose at the hearing regarding what appeared to be a negative amount in the debt service account. After reviewing the documents, she believed the issue resulted from the reviewers looking at 2026 figures rather than the submitted 2027 amounts. Ms. Havlin planned to clarify the matter and submit an amended spreadsheet if necessary. Overall, staff indicated there were no substantive concerns with the submitted budget, and the requested amounts had been certified.
Director’s Report: Ms. Carroll provided the following highlights from her report:
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Approval of Tuition Reimbursement Request - Ms. Carroll requested approval of the tuition reimbursement requests presented in the Board packet. The Board approved the requests.
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System Updates - Ms. Carroll provided an update on the Thompson Branch following significant flooding. The Library continued to work with its insurance adjuster and contractor to obtain estimates and begin repairs as quickly as possible. Water caused substantial damage to flooring, walls, carpeting, and other interior areas. Facilities staff responded promptly and removed the water. The Library’s priority is to complete repairs and reopen the branch as soon as possible. Observer Note: Read more about the flooding at the Thompson Branch in this Geauga Maple Leaf from July 30, 2026. (It may be behind a pay wall.)
Additional information from the Director’s Report in the board packet is provided below:
“SYSTEM UPDATES
I dedicated significant time to several high-priority initiatives, including completion of the PLF
notes sale with Lisa (Havlin), review of the Chardon Branch Purchase Agreement and Lease, and capital
campaign planning with staff. I also began evaluating temporary Administrative Center locations
with Larry Corbus.
Katy (Farrell) and I interviewed candidates for the Chardon Branch Manager position. I also worked with
staff and media to coordinate public communications on the Thompson Branch's temporary
closure and the Administrative Center's upcoming closure of public services (effective
September 30, 2026), keeping staff, patrons, and stakeholders informed and prepared for these
transitions.
CONSTRUCTION AND FACILITIES UPDATES
The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Chardon Branch and Administrative Center was held on
August 10. The event was well attended by local elected officials, community members, patrons, and
Library staff. Thank you to the Trustees who were able to attend and help celebrate.
Progress on the Chardon project continues as planned. GMP 1 has been completed, and GMP 2 has been reviewed and is included in your Board packet for Consideration.
We continue to work closely with contractors and our insurance adjuster to address the water
damage at the Thompson Branch. At the time of writing this report, a repair timeline has not yet been
established. We are actively evaluating the next steps and will provide additional information and
updates at the Board meeting as details become available.
FACILITIES
The department experienced several staffing shortages due to two resignations and a staff
member on temporary leave. The Facilities Department is accepting applications for both a cleaner
and a delivery driver position.
Mark and John (Johnston) handled all facilities work orders, prioritizing the most urgent needs first to ensure that safety and functionality were maintained. While routine landscaping activities have fallen behind due to staffing constraints and emergency priorities, these tasks are being addressed as workloads begin to stabilize.
On July 28, a failed water faucet caused significant flooding within the building, requiring an
immediate response to mitigate damage and begin restoration efforts. Since the incident, Facilities
staff have been coordinating cleanup and remediation activities. This work remains a primary focus
of the department.
Several planned maintenance projects were completed during the reporting period. At the
Bainbridge Branch, a floor crack was repaired; parking lot cracks were cleaned, filled, and sealed,
and all window shades throughout the building were repaired. Planned parking lot sealcoating and
striping at Bainbridge had to be postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions and is currently
being rescheduled. At the Thompson Branch, the boiler was taken down and thoroughly cleaned as
part of ongoing facility maintenance.
The department is soliciting proposals for parking lot repairs, sealcoating, and striping at the Middlefield, Thompson, Geauga West, and Chardon locations to ensure these high-use areas remain safe and well maintained.
TECH SERVICES
While a Collection Development Librarian is on leave through September, Marlene Pelyhes has
assumed responsibility for the selection of Juvenile and Young Adult materials. Staff have also
implemented changes to the interlibrary loan (ILL) workflow that will take effect August 15.
Centralizing this process is expected to improve consistency and streamline workflows.
The department collaborated with Marketing to launch several new Library of Things items for patron
use. Six new items are now available for checkout: Giant Dominoes Yard Game, Laminator, Car
Diagnostic Tool, Kilowatt Meter, Laser Level, and Voltage Tester. These additions continue to
support the Library's goal of providing access to practical tools and resources that extend beyond
traditional collections.
Beginning August 15, patrons will also have access to A-Z Databases, a new online research
resource selected following CLEVNET's decision to discontinue Reference Solutions. After
evaluating the product during a trial period, staff determined that A-Z Databases provides
comparable business and donor research capabilities while offering a more user-friendly experience.
The new service will cost the Library $8,000 through December 2027, compared to a renewal cost of
$11,888 for Reference Solutions, resulting in a savings of $3,888 while maintaining similar
functionality for patrons.
MARKETING
Marketing efforts focused on communications for the Chardon Branch and Administrative
Center groundbreaking, capital campaign materials, the Fall Lines & Links newsletter, Chardon
Branch News updates, and promotional materials for system-wide programs and services—
keeping patrons informed of events and upcoming changes.
Digital engagement showed strong growth from June: social media generated over 90,000
impressions and 6,300 interactions; the website drew approximately 10,000 active users (8,500
new); and email communications reached more than 47,000 recipients with a 53% open rate.
These results reflect strong patron interest in library services and programs, and support continued awareness and participation.
Beyond promotion, Marketing directly supported programming: Jonathan Kopp presented a
cinematography session for the teen series Hollywood Through the Ages, giving participants
hands-on filmmaking experience while building creativity, critical thinking, and digital literacy
skills.
IT
IT staff collaborated with CLEVNET to resolve catalog authentication issues, troubleshoot fax
transmission problems at the Chardon Branch, and address equipment concerns involving branch
pay stations. Mike’s (Pope) participation in Owner-Architect-Contractor (OAC) meetings for the new
Chardon Branch and Administrative Center project has ensured that technology needs remain
integrated into facility planning efforts.
Following the flooding at the Thompson Branch in late July, IT staff inspected technology equipment
and coordinated with Facilities to ensure computers, copiers, and other devices were protected
during cleanup and restoration efforts.
The department participated in the evaluation of alternatives to the current staff scheduling software
to better meet Library needs and improve scheduling flexibility for staff. Accessibility improvements
also remained a priority, with continued work on website and document remediation projects that are
now approximately 40% complete. In the Digital Learning Lab and Makerspace, staff continued work
on local history projects including the Rick Roose Collection. Staff also addressed maintenance and
repair needs for Makerspace equipment, restoring the embroidery machine to service,
troubleshooting the laser engraver, and coordinating future repairs for both the engraver and large-
format printer.
DEVELOPMENT
Grant research and writing continue to be Debbie's (Schrock) primary focus in support of the Chardon
Branch and Administrative Center project. During July, she submitted a grant proposal to the
Cleveland Foundation requesting support for the capital project.
Debbie and I participated in National Night Out on Chardon Square on Tuesday, August 4th.
The beautiful weather contributed to an outstanding turnout of more than 600 Geauga County
residents. We set up games from the Library of Things collection and gave out prizes to
children, while answering questions about the new Chardon Branch and connecting with
patrons about library services.
Debbie was instrumental in supporting the Chardon Branch and Administrative Center
groundbreaking. She coordinated with IT and Facilities to ensure the event had everything we
needed to make the most of the event.”
Assistant Director’s Report - Ms. Farrell gave the following highlights from her report:
Public Services - Ms. Farrell announced that Kristina Lininger, currently Head of Adult Services at the Bainbridge Branch, had accepted the position of Chardon Branch manager and would begin September 14, 2026. Her existing familiarity with the library system, supervisory experience, and background in local history and archives were noted as strengths she would bring to the position.
Observer Note: The board packet also contains a report of activities from all branches and departments. This is under the heading of the Assistant Director’s Report.
The following is taken from the Board report:
“BAINBRIDGE
To celebrate Ohio's rich musical heritage, Kristina Lininger presented an original program
entitled Ohio Rocks: The Buckeye State's Musical Legacy. The program explored the history of
music in Ohio, beginning with Indigenous peoples, European settlers, and the Great Migration. It
then highlighted the contributions Ohio musicians have made across a variety of musical genres
and concluded with the story of rock and roll and why Cleveland is home to the Rock & Roll Hall
of Fame.
Katie presented a four-week bootcamp for teens to create their own short films. Each week, kids
learned and developed movie making skills, including screenwriting, filming, and editing. The
films were shown at an evening premiere along with the history of Hollywood. The program was
a collaboration with Mark Dubovec and Lauren Smyth. Katie received wonderful feedback on
the program. As a surprise, Katie created a movie poster for each film and gave a copy to the
filmmakers.
Observer Note: The report did not list last names for the staff mentioned above.
CHARDON
Alli Rankin, the full-time Youth Services Assistant at Chardon, created bookmarks of reading
recommendations for children monthly and shared with the reference team across the system.
She started this in November 2025, after looking for a way to simplify Readers’ Advisory to
connect young readers with topics that interest them. Last month’s topic was non-fiction titles,
and previously she has recommended books covering Sports, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Coming of Age
stories, and more. These recommendations cover four age ranges: K-3rd grade, 4th-5th grade,
6th-7th grade, and Teen. This contribution is a meaningful way that one of our full-time YSAs is
improving services at the library!
GEAUGA WEST
Staff embraced the America 250 theme with exciting programs for all ages. Notable programs
this month included Karen Wright's All-American Sips, where 23 patrons stopped by to learn
how to make blueberry mint soda. Taylor Pudelski's game nights continue to be a hit. She had
19 patrons join her for Bingo night, where they could win hand crafted bookmarks as prizes.
Elizabeth hosted an Ice Cube Painting program for preschoolers, and 23 patrons joined her to
create their own masterpieces. Patrons of all ages attended a Happy Birthday, America program
created by Karen and Candi Griffith. 40 people attended and created birthday hats to wear
during the program.
MIDDLEFIELD
Christine Tanguay recently took over leading the Thursday night book discussion group.
Attendance continues to grow, with 13 in July. They seem to appreciate her changes to the
class, which now includes a PowerPoint presentation for information about the book, author,
and other related topics.
Woven Together, a joint Adult and Youth Services program with Stacy and Rachel B. introduced
weaving and how it has been used throughout the centuries. Participants were given their own
cardboard loom and choices of yarn or fabric, while Stacy and Rachel provided directions and
Support.
Patron stories:
Ashlee issued a JV card to a young patron, and while processing the application, the mother
told me her son wanted to get a library card so badly that he told her he would forgo his
Christmas present this year if she would bring him here to do that today. They were both very
happy to go home with dozens of books.
The patron lives a minute away from [a different Clevnet] library. She said that she realized that
Middlefield is so much nicer, and the staff are so much more helpful that they switched to being
Middlefield patrons.
MOBILE SERVICES
Mobile Services used the Bookmobile for Fun Bus stops during the extremely hot days in the
first week of July, since the air conditioner works better on the Bookmobile. The bigger space
also helps to keep the temperature a little cooler.
Patron story:
Sheryl was talking with a mom on the Bookmobile as she was helping sort all her children's logs
from summer reading. She expressed that she appreciated the "Perform a Random Act of
Kindness" choice on the children's logs because she was able to use it as a reminder and
teaching moment for her kids.
THOMPSON
Prior to the closure, Thompson hosted two wonderful programs in July. The ‘Geauga in Pioneer
Times’ program was well attended and well received. Several patrons thanked us for having it
here and said the presenter was excellent. A large group of people from The Residence of
Chardon came to the program and a couple of attendees went outside to chat and stayed until
after we closed.
Messy Monday's annual Water Day was a big hit once again. The kids had two wading pools
filled with reusable water balloons and water squirters. There was another pool for dry erase
creatures, and a turtle toss. The kids had a great time, and the parents enjoyed chatting with
each other and watching the fun.
Thompson staff are contributing their creativity to other teams in August, with Robin working at
Middlefield, and Robin, Ann, and Ethan working at Chardon. Their help is certainly appreciated
as those branches are in the process of hiring open positions.
STATISTICS
July 2026 Statistics:
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37,511 patrons served at the branches
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12,088 computer and wi-fi uses
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208 programs presented for 4,324 patrons
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11,083 reference interactions
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Total circulation of items: 252,097”
Human Resources Report - Ms. Burnside received approval for personnel actions that were contained in the board packet. These were: 1 Promotion, 1 Retirement, 4 Terminations, 6 New Hires, and 2 Transfers.
Local Manager’s Report - Erika Noark, Geauga West Manager
Observer Note: The host/local branch manager gives an oral report at the board meeting. This month that report was given by Erika Noark, Geauga West Branch Manager.
Ms. Noark highlighted several partnerships with West Geauga Schools. She recently presented at the district’s professional development day, informing teachers about library resources available through their library cards and discussing opportunities for collaboration between the schools and Library.
Several upcoming community-school events were announced. On September 9, 2026 at 10:30 a.m., patrons would have an opportunity to meet with the West Geauga superintendent and high school principal at the branch. Another community question-and-answer opportunity with the superintendent and school board president was planned for October 15, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
The branch was also partnering with high school students to provide drop-in technology assistance on September 17, October 15, and November 19 from 10:00–10:30 a.m. Patrons can receive assistance with cell phones, laptops, and other technology from participating high school seniors.
Ms. Noark also announced the retirement of Cindy Holtz, Head of Circulation/Shelving, following 29 years of service to the Library. Her final day was scheduled for August 31, 2026, with an open house planned throughout the day so patrons and colleagues could wish her well.
Committee Reports - None
Unfinished Business - None
New Business - The Board approved the following unanimously:
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Thompson Branch Repair Contract. Ms. Carroll requested advance authorization to execute a contract for repairs to the Thompson Branch as soon as the final contract became available, thereby avoiding additional delays in reopening the branch. The repair cost was expected to exceed the Library’s $25,000 approval threshold. The Library would be responsible for a $2,500 insurance deductible, with covered costs above the deductible expected to be reimbursed by insurance. Following discussion, the Board authorized the Director to execute the necessary repair contract.
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GMP 2 - Ms. Carroll requested authorization for designated Library representatives to negotiate and execute GMP 2 up to a not-to-exceed amount of $11.9 million. The proposal encompassed the work outside the previously addressed earthwork/site package and included allowances for potential issues, particularly those associated with construction during the winter. The authorization was set above the base GMP to provide flexibility for alternates the Library was considering. The Board also discussed standard and extended warranties, including a standard one-year warranty across the project and longer warranties on certain components. Following discussion, the Board approved the requested authority to negotiate and execute GMP 2 within the stated limit.
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Chardon Branch Real Estate Purchase Agreement, Sale, and Lease. Ms. Carroll requested approval of a real estate purchase agreement involving the Chardon Branch. The agreement incorporated provisions and resolutions relating to both the sale of the property to New Covenant Fellowship (NCF) and the Library’s subsequent lease of the branch from NCF for a period of 2 years until the construction of the new Chardon branch is complete. The transaction also included lots adjacent to the branch driveway that had become part of the proposed sale. The Board separately approved the sale and the related lease. Observer Note: Results of an internet search of New Covenant Fellowship included only a Facebook page with limited information and posting activity.
Board Development (not on the agenda) - Mr. Hutchinson asked for information about the Library’s digital resources – Hoopla and Libby. Ms. Carroll discussed the costs and usage models of Hoopla and Libby. Hoopla operates primarily on a pay-per-circulation model, and the Library uses a daily spending cap of approximately $450 to control costs. Once the daily limit is reached, patrons must wait until the following day to borrow additional materials. Staff reported approximately 69,000 Hoopla circulations year-to-date, about 1.8% higher than the prior year, with the number of unique patrons served up approximately 9.2% to more than 3,000.
She explained that Libby operates under a different purchasing/licensing model, generally involving titles purchased for a specified period or number of circulations rather than a charge for every individual checkout. Staff reported approximately 51,000 Libby circulations in July compared with approximately 5,800 Hoopla circulations. Discussion also touched on the relative costs of the services and the challenges other libraries have experienced managing Hoopla’s pay-per-use expenses. Hoopla’s average cost per circulation was reported at approximately $2.27, although costs vary considerably by content type.
Foundation - Ms. Schrock highlighted the upcoming fundraising and support activities. The annual book sale at the Geauga County Fair was scheduled to begin September 3, 2026. The Foundation was also preparing for its October 10, 2026 murder mystery fundraiser, with sponsorships already secured and ticket sales underway. The event sold out the previous year. Trustees and staff also briefly discussed the possibility of Library or Foundation-branded T-shirts and other merchandise.
Comments from the Public - Ms. Delano commented positively on a recent Bainbridge garden-related program, noting that it was well organized and included activities for children, a raffle, and a garden treasure hunt. Mr. Miller expressed appreciation for the work involved in the Leadership Geauga’s annual retreat at the Bainbridge Branch and for the staff who helped make the event successful.
Meeting adjourned at 4:21 pm.
Next Meeting: The next Regular Board meeting is September 15, 2026 at 4:00 pm at the Chardon Branch. See website for information on meeting dates and locations.
Observers: Carol Benton and Bari Oyler Stith
Editor: Gail Roussey
Reviewer: Marla Zwinggi
Date Submitted: September 4, 2026
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