May 2026 | Director's Report | Minerva Public Library

Director's Report: May 28, 2026

Prepared by Director Jason Bumbico for the May 28, 2026 Board of Trustees meeting

We have filled our open Library Assistant positions. Erin Barnby joins Youth Services and Tracy McGuire joins Adult Services, both effective May 18, with Charity Suntheimer joining Adult Services effective May 27. Resolutions confirming these hires appear on this month's agenda.
The revised Employee Handbook, reviewed by both the Ohio Plan and the Stark County Prosecutor's Office, and the revised Public Services Policy Manual have been completed and forwarded to the Board. Both appear for adoption on this month's agenda.

On June 1, the Library will be launching its new Adventure Pass Program, which allows patrons with an adult library card to check out passes for free or reduced admission to area museums and attractions. The ten participating destinations are:
- Akron Art Museum
- Akron Zoo
- Beech Creek Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve
- Canton Museum of Art
- Dennison Railroad Depot Museum
- Ernest Warther Museum and Gardens
- National First Ladies Library and Museum
- Historic Zoar Village and Fort Laurens
- McKinley Presidential Library and Museum
- Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
The Library served as a polling location during the May 5 primary election, welcoming 783 patrons and voters through the building. The day also featured a student bake sale hosted by Nick Embrogno's class from Minerva Middle School, raising funds for the class's field trip and adding a welcome community energy to the day.
We will be closing at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11, to accommodate the Minerva Homecoming Parade.

May adult programming included Raised Garden Beds and Containers and a Sit and Stitch meet-up (May 7), an adult craft mini flower pot class (May 12), and a Continental Army living-history presentation by the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment (May 18).
Upcoming June adult programs include Geocaching with Stark Parks on June 8 and a "Meet George Washington" living-history program on June 29.

This year's Summer Reading Program, themed "Unearth a Story," runs from May 29 through July 31 and begins with our Summer Reading Kickoff Celebration on Friday, May 29, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., when registration opens. The program concludes with an End-of-the-Read Pool Party at the Minerva Municipal Pool on Wednesday, July 29.
Local businesses and organizations have generously sponsored this year's program. Restricted contributions totaling $1,450.00 are presented for the Board's acceptance on this month's agenda, along with in-kind gifts from Grinder's Above and Beyond and Minerva Bowl and Lunch.
Several of June's children's programs are supported through grant funding, including:
- Reptile Adventures with Paul Hernandez: Wednesday, June 3, 11:00 a.m.
- Bugman Live! with Mark Berman: Wednesday, June 10, 11:00 a.m.
- Life-Size Jumanji: Thursday, June 11, 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- Dino Sleepover family storytime: Thursday, June 25, 5:30 p.m.
- Animal Reading Friends: Fridays in June, 11:00 a.m. to noon

New materials added in April 2026 included:
- Adult books: 155
- Youth books: 136
- Movies: 8

Media 144 has completed installation of the Library's new security camera system, completing the camera upgrade the Board authorized this spring. The system is working well, looks great, and includes a remote viewing function that allows footage to be monitored off-site.
Following the Board's adoption of the new Cybersecurity Program Policy, we registered the Library for the Ohio Persistent Cyber Improvement (O-PCI) program, a no-cost state initiative that helps public entities strengthen their cybersecurity posture.