Summary
- The Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL)’s Artificial Intelligence Acceptance Use Policy was brought to the board for approval for the second time, facing pushback from some CCPL employees and concern from some board members. It was passed unanimously with the stipulation that it will be reviewed every six months for the next two years.
- The plans for the new Beachwood Branch Library and Auditorium were presented to the board and will now go to the Beachwood City Planning Commission for approval.
- The board highlighted the recent fundraising successes of the CCPL Foundation, including its golf event, which raised $118,000 in sponsorships — the highest amount in a decade.
Summary
- Will there be any defined structure to the planned reviews of the AI Acceptance Use Policy?
- What is the sentiment from the majority of CCPL employees on the AI policy?
The scene at the CCPL Board of Trustees meeting
I attended this CCPL Board of Trustees meeting in person at the library’s administrative offices at 2111 Snow Road in Parma. It was also available to watch via Facebook livestream. It did not take place in the auditorium as listed on CCPL’s website but rather in the administrative wing upstairs. I had to ask the library staff for access and was buzzed into the administrative wing to access the meeting room. There was designated seating for the public. There were about 30 people present.
The meeting started promptly at 5 p.m. with roll call. All board members were present.
Board members:
- Patricia Shlonsky, president
- Saleh Awadallah, vice president
- William Leonard, secretary
- Allyn Davies
- Edward Blakemore
- Dean DePiero
- Bella Patel
Meeting agenda:
Approval of minutes from the June 23 meeting – unanimously approved.
Retiree recognition – the Board recognized Margaret “Peggy” Hull for her almost 10 years of service with CCPL and congratulated her on her retirement. She was employed as a branch services librarian at the Beachwood Branch from July 7, 2016, to June 30, 2026.
Cuyahoga County Library Union (CCLU) Local Chapter President Michael Niederhausen congratulated Hull on her retirement and said that there should be more encouragement for retirees to come to this meeting to be recognized.
Speaking out against AI use
Brook Park Circulation Supervisor Kevin Dean spoke out against AI use at CCPL, citing the trend of AI companies destroying books. “Volatile” AI services are unsustainable, unethical and not a responsible use of taxpayer dollars, Dean said. “The only data centers that we should be investing in, directly or indirectly, are our 27 branches.”
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New Beachwood branch details
Update on Beachwood Branch – Jeff Mori, CCPL chief operations officer
Mori showed the slides that will also be presented to the Beachwood City Planning Commission about the new location of the Beachwood Branch library and auditorium.
Reviewed the floor plan and exterior and noted that the design is about 80% complete.
AI is a strategic priority
Artificial Intelligence Acceptance Use Policy Report – Mori, Pam Jankowski (chief public services officer) and Sean Bastick (CCPL IT director)
These three individuals presented on CCPL’s developing AI use policy, which establishes principles for AI use regarding privacy, disclosure of use, accuracy, environmental impact and more. This was presented at the last meeting for approval, but, per the June 23 meeting minutes, “President Shlonsky requested that consideration of the Artificial Intelligence Acceptable Use Policy be tabled until the July 28th, 2026 Board of Trustees meeting so that Chief Mori could be in attendance to provide more detailed information regarding the policy.”
Jankowski said that AI is a strategic priority for 2026 and that CCPL recognizes that the use of AI is growing. Jankowski said that employees and patrons are using it and that patrons are coming into branches and asking questions, so they want to ensure that they are a trusted source for lifelong learning.
Mori said that they are talking with employees on this policy. However, Dean, the Beachwood Circulation Supervisor, implied during public comment that the library has not asked for employee feedback. Mori acknowledged that some employees have issues with the environmental impacts of AI.
AI like computers in the ’90s
Jankowski drew parallels to the computer implementation in libraries in the late ’90s and said they want to take control of intentions behind AI use. Bastick said they want their AI resources to be “small enough to be responsible but strong enough to be useful,” focusing on accurate information, security and privacy and environmental impact.
Mori said they have engaged CDW, a multinational IT company, in this process. CDW is helping to educate the leadership team and advise the AI implementation team.
The presenting group received some questions from the board about the AI Specialist role. They said that this role was an internal hire who is currently working on developing curriculums for staff. Jankowski said that this individual is looking at different training programs out-of-state at other libraries with more robust AI policies and procedures. The projects that CDW is advising on include an intranet page for AI updates, AI literacy and education, an AI approval and implementation process and an AI Discovery Center.
AI Discovery Center coming to new Beachwood branch
The AI Discovery Center is planned to be part of the new Beachwood Branch and its Innovation Center. The group fielded some questions from the board on what exactly this center would look like and how it would function. They said they’re still figuring out exactly what that will be.
Jankowski talked about the successes of the CCPL Innovation Centers, which have been established as creative, collaborative and educational spaces that provide free access to advanced software, emerging technologies and production equipment.
Board concerns about AI policy
Board Secretary William Leonard raised concerns that the proposed AI policy is like “trying to fly an airplane while you’re building it” and said that they shouldn’t be approving a policy that is half-baked. Jankowski countered by saying that AI use by staff and patrons is already happening and that they need a policy to build procedures off of. Another board member raised concerns about the speed of AI development and agreed with Jankowski’s suggestion that the board could include a stipulation that the policy be reviewed in six months..
The policy was approved with the stipulation that it will be reviewed every six months for the next two years.
Report of the board president
Board Member Allyn Davies first spoke for this report and highlighted the recent successes of the CCPL Foundation.
The annual golf event Reading the Green raised $118,000 in sponsorships, the highest amount in a decade.
They also hosted a donor appreciation event for 42 donors.
The Writers Center Stage Series just finished its 2025-26 season.
Board President Patricia Shlonsky commended the efforts of the CCPL Foundation. Shlonsky also reminded everyone that there is no August board meeting – the next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 22.
Report of Chief Executive Officer Jamar Rahming
Rahming spoke about the recent enhancements to CCPL’s public awareness campaign.
Stakeholders, politicians and the community are invited to see the new children’s area at the Warrensville Heights Branch on Aug. 16.
Highlighted new HR initiative“You Said/We Did,” internal emails informing staff of changes made based on employee feedback.
Noted that the summer reading challenge is doing well, particularly the adult program, which has seen a 26% increase in participation since last year.
Other items
- Human Resources Report (Page 27-34 of the meeting packet)
- Outlined personnel changes (hires, promotions, etc.) were unanimously approved.
- Finance Committee Report (Page 35-46)
- This information was discussed in more depth during the separate Finance Committee meeting, which is the first hour of the Facebook stream, but the following items were reviewed and unanimously approved:
- Investments (Fiscal 2026, June).
- Purchase Approval List.
- Gift Report.
- This information was discussed in more depth during the separate Finance Committee meeting, which is the first hour of the Facebook stream, but the following items were reviewed and unanimously approved:
- New Business (Page 47-58)
- 2027 Tax Budget (discussed in Finance Committee meeting) – unanimously approved.
- Resolution to Amend Official Certification of Estimated Resources and Amend Appropriations – unanimously approved.
- Naming Rights – unanimously approved.
- Approval of Artificial Intelligence Acceptance Use Policy – unanimously approved with the stipulation that it will be reviewed every six months for the next two years.
- Executive session started at 6 p.m.
- The purpose was for certain personnel matters pertaining to the review of an employee.
- The board reconvened from executive session at 6:21 p.m.
The meeting adjourned at 6:22 p.m.
These notes are by Documenter Annie Maglicic. Documenter Julia Brookover recorded audio.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalcleveland.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.
