New AsiaTown Cleveland Public Library branch

The Cleveland Public Library Board of Trustees meeting was structured and moved efficiently through a full agenda, with most items approved unanimously and limited debate. Board members and staff appeared prepared, particularly during committee reports, where resolutions were introduced and passed with minimal discussion.

Much of the meeting focused on programming and internal initiatives, including a large-scale youth literacy challenge with over 8,200 participants and a language access initiative that tracked hundreds of multilingual interactions across branches. These efforts were presented as examples of both community engagement and internal innovation, with staff often emphasizing that some programs were implemented with little or no additional cost.

The board also approved several financial and operational items, including contract renewals, equipment purchases, and an agreement to lease space at the planned  Midtown Lofts for an AsiaTown branch at a rate of $1 per year, plus an estimated $600 in monthly payments to cover real estate taxes, insurance and maintenance of a common area. A library staff member said the monthly costs also cover security, including cameras and license plate readers.

The library system estimates that building out the space to make it a library branch will cost about $1.5 million. This project is supported in part by philanthropic funding already secured, according to the resolution.

Facilities and infrastructure updates highlighted ongoing capital projects and maintenance challenges, including recent power outages affecting multiple branches, and continued progress on large construction efforts. Staff noted differences in reliability between utility providers but did not indicate any immediate resolution.

Toward the end of the meeting, discussion turned to a broader state-level policy issue involving property taxes, with staff noting potential impacts on library funding and participation in a multi-organization advocacy effort. This was one of the few moments that suggested longer-term financial uncertainty, though no specific local impacts were detailed.

What follows is a high-level, moment-by-moment recap of the meeting, aligned with items on the agenda.

Roll call began at about the 9:54-minute mark of the livestream of the April 16 CPL Board of Trustees meeting. [Editor’s note: There are minute marks included throughout the notes in italics to signal the time in the livestream that a section of the meeting began.]

CPL board meeting basics

Board members present:

• Maritza Rodriguez, president
• Thomas Corrigan
• Alice Butts
• Jasmine Fryer
• Melanie Shakarian
• Melaak Rashid

Board Vice President Anthony Parker was absent.

10:39: The board approved the March 19 meeting minutes.

CPL board president’s report

11:03: of the livestream: President’s report. 

• Rodriguez spoke about attending an Eid celebration at the Eastman branch (which she said is also known as the “Walrus branch”). She said there was high attendance, with additional seating required.
• She mentioned the “Common Ground” event in Brett Hall at the Main Branch.
• She has participated in the South Branch food pantry.

13:08: Other members gave updates:

• Rashid reported about attending the Public Library Association conference in Minneapolis earlier in April.
• She said it was unique because it is not common that trustees from other library systems are able to go to conferences like PLA.     
• Other boards are not as connected to their libraries, or offered the same opportunity, Rashid said. 
• Fryer said the experience brought to the forefront the question of how they could serve people better.
• Corrigan said the library distributed more than 2,900 non-English materials to five CLEVNET libraries in March, in addition to the 300 items distributed from the CPL Main Branch.

CPL Director’s Report

Winter Literacy and Attendance Challenge (recapped by Jacqueline Lamb, CPL’s senior director of youth services and family engagement)

• Partnered with Cleveland Browns’ Stay in the Game network.
• The goal is to help scholars come to school every day.
• More than 8,200 scholars participated.
• Student Ariana Miller won the 6th to 12th grade category.
• She got to be CPL CEO for the day with Thomas. Miller attended this meeting and sat at the table with the board and Thomas.

Radical Hospitality Language Challenge (recapped by library staff)

• Another library system now wants to implement the project.
• Staff wore pins indicating languages spoken or being learned.
• Encouraged interactions with patrons and staff.
• Little to no cost, just about friendly competition.
• 575 interactions around language with 48 staff participants, 17 languages spoken. 

AsiaTown branch, print services, donations and other agenda items

41:03: Items from the Finance Committee for the board’s consideration: 

Acceptance of Gifts

• Accepting gifts offered to CPL in March.
• Includes monetary and non-monetary contributions.
• Passed unanimously.

 ERP System Maintenance

• Renewal with Tyler Technologies for financial software.
• Term: May 17, 2026 – May 16, 2027.
• Cost: Not to exceed about $99,619.
• Passed unanimously.

Managed Print Services

• Agreement with Applied Laser Technologies.
• Includes:
  • Equipment purchase (multi-function devices, printers and pay stations).
  • Service and maintenance.
• Costs:
  • Equipment: up to about $351,704.
  • Annual maintenance: about $87,294.
• Passed unanimously.

AsiaTown Branch Lease

• Authorization to enter lease with Midtown Lofts, LLC.
• Lease rate: $1 per year.

• A library staff member shared additional details.
  •  The branch will be located within “a low-income housing tax credit project.”
  • Residents will be limited to people who make 30% to 80% of the area median income, with rents being capped at 30% of the tenants’ income. Estimated rents: $458–$1,478/month
• Passed unanimously.

2026 Appropriation Amendment

• Fourth amendment to the 2026 budget.
  • A library staff member said the adjustment relates to the above Applied Laser Technologies contract.
• Passed unanimously.

Financial Reports Submitted (no vote required)

• Corrigan mentioned the financial reports beginning here in the agenda.

Advocacy Task Force / Foundation Update (property taxes)

• Thomas reported participation in a webinar hosted earlier that day by the Ohio Library Council (OLC).
• Approximately 65 organizations involved in a coordinated effort against proposals from state legislators to eliminate or significantly alter state property taxes.

• Ending property taxes would remove approximately $24 billion in funding from public services, Thomas said.
• Effects would hit:
  • Libraries.
  • Public safety organizations.
  • Other publicly funded entities.
• Library staff and officials directed people to protectpublicservices.org for more information.

Human Resources Committee Report (items for the board’s consideration):

Health Savings Account (HSA) Plan

• Adds HSA option to employee health benefits.
• Plan adoption retroactive to Jan. 1, 2026.
• Passed unanimously.

Correction to Prior Record (Retirement Citation)

• Shakarian issued a correction for a previous retirement certificate approved by the board in 2024 for former employee Elaine Straka.
• Updated service length: 45 years.
• Board acknowledged the prior error and approved the correction.

New Retirement Recognition

• Honoree: Jim Bettinger
  • 31 years of service.
  • Senior Subject Department Librarian (Science & Technology).
  • Retirement effective April 30.

Additional details shared about Bettinger by library staff:

• Began employment in 1995.
• Specialized in:
  • Copyright.
  • Patents.
  • Trademarks.
• Trained under longtime department leader, the late Jean Piety.
• Family connection:
  • His mother also worked at CPL.
• Board approved the recognition.
• Library to dedicate a book in his honor, Shakarian added.

Additional HR Reports (Informational) begin at this point in the agenda. 

CPL administrative updates

Community Services Committee Report (presented by Fryer)

Monthly Activity Report

• Circulation:
  • Up 13% in March (after February decline)
• Patrons served:
  • Up 12%
• In-person visits:
  • Up 44%

Strategic Plan Update (presented by library staff)

Overview

• Ongoing refresh of CPL strategic plan.
• Current scorecard adjusted to focus on 2026 only.
• New plan expected by end of year.

Workforce Development Focus

• Board raised questions about:
  • Alignment with state requirements for career readiness.
  • Focus on youth vs. adults.

Staff response:

• Any change would require board decision.
• Current programming remains focused on:
  • Adults (job seekers, seniors).
  • One-on-one coaching.
  • No formal shift to youth focus yet.

CPL facilities and building updates

Facilitated by John Lang, CPL’s chief operating officer:

Upcoming Projects

• Fleet Campus Facilities Master Plan amendment:
  • Expected to bring to the board next month.
• Architect selection underway for other projects.
• Main campus fire system replacement:
  • Will be a multi-million dollar project.

Power Outages (Recent Issues)

• Six branches affected during recent wind storms.
• Glenville Branch identified as most persistent issue.

Utility Notes:

• Some outages are linked to Cleveland Public Power, but not all, Lang said.
• Lang noted:
  • More issues with CPP-served branches compared to FirstEnergy-served locations.

CPL Walz Campus Project (Construction Update)

• Project experiencing financial stress, Lang said.

• Construction progress continues.
• Largest concrete placement completed in recent weeks.
  • About 200 yards poured.

Main Branch Interior Updates

• First-floor “main popular” area renovation:
  • New carpet installed.
  • Painting completed (southwest corner).
• Will serve as prototype for broader renovation.

Sterling Branch work (mentioned by Thomas)

• Ongoing discussions with Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority.
• Potential to expand library footprint through adjacent properties.
• No finalized agreement yet.

These notes are by Documenter Brooke Adams.

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If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalcleveland.org  with “Correction Request” in the subject line.