Hello Worthington! Here's your recap of what happened at the December 16, 2025 Worthington Libraries Board of Trustees meeting. Below are brief summaries of the most significant discussions about your library system.
Union Contract Ratified, Staff Ready for 2026
The library's union has officially ratified a new collective bargaining agreement that runs through 2028. The board also approved pay increases for all eligible staff and updated personnel policies. These changes take effect December 21, 2025.
Northwest Library Named 2025 "Neighborhood Fave"
Congratulations to the Northwest Library branch, which received the 2025 Neighborhood Fave Award from Nextdoor! The certificate is now on display at the branch. This community-voted recognition reflects the important role Northwest Library plays in its neighborhood.
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In Other Library News
Friends Foundation Success: The annual Books and Brews event raised just shy of $13,000 this year, primarily due to increased sponsorships.
New Staff Members: Nick Spence was promoted from Library Associate to Youth Services Librarian at Worthington Park Library. Bryce Hain joined as a new Circulation Assistant. Both started December 8. The library continues to see healthy application pools for most positions, though custodian roles remain challenging to fill.
Program Highlights: Recent programs drew strong attendance—a Studio Ghibli craft night attracted 48 patrons, cozy crafternoons at Old Worthington Library drew 107 attendees, and the electronics recycling event at Northwest collected over 6,000 pounds of materials.
State Audit Complete: The Ohio Auditor of State has released the library's independent audit, completing financial reviews just in time for the next audit cycle.
Board Member Reappointed: Trustee Emma Mulvaney was approved by the Worthington School Board for a new four-year term beginning in January.
2026 Board Leadership: The nominating committee presented the slate for 2026 officers: Abigail Poklar (President), Elizabeth Grieser (Vice President), and Dr. Joseph Saverimuttu (Secretary). The vote will take place at January's organizational meeting.
Director and CFO Compensation: Following executive session, the board approved salary increases for Director/CEO Lauren Robinson and Chief Financial Officer Jeremie Stevens, effective December 21.
Finance Update: The library made planned cash transfers from Star Ohio reserves to maintain operations during the typical year-end revenue slowdown. CFO Stevens noted that state funding has been more consistent recently, with six months of appropriations now aligned.
Upcoming at Your Library
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Monday, January 19, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Worthington United Methodist Church, 600 High Street
Next Board Meeting
Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Northwest Library
Checkout Challenges Coming in 2026: Director Robinson announced that the library will launch checkout challenges promoted on social media in the new year, encouraging residents to visit the library and check out more books. Keep an eye on the library's social media for details!
Thanks for reading this summary of the Worthington Libraries Board of Trustees meeting. You can find board meeting schedules, agendas, and minutes on the Worthington Libraries website or watch meeting recordings on the library's YouTube channel.