Our Organization

Introduction

At Cuyahoga County Public Library we are committed to our mission of being at the center of community life by creating an environment where reading, lifelong learning and civic engagement thrive.

Our vision is to be the most convenient public library in the nation, recognized for exceptional customer service. Everything we do is in support of improving the quality of life in Cuyahoga County, and we strive to deliver on three key objectives:

Fostering a community of enthusiastic readers.
Strengthening the economic vitality of our region.
Being recognized as an essential community asset and innovative library industry leader.

Board Meetings

Cuyahoga County Public Library’s Board of Trustees meets eleven times a year, typically on the fourth Tuesday of each month. All meetings are open to the public. Board meeting reports are available online following each meeting. Board meeting dates, times and locations are subject to change. If you are planning to attend a Board meeting, we recommend that you call 216.398.1800 in advance to verify the date, time and location.

2021 Board of Trustees Meetings

January 26 / 5:00 PM / Virtual Meeting
February 23 / 5:00 PM / Administration Building Auditorium
March 23 / 5:00 PM / Administration Building Auditorium
April 27 / 5:00 PM / Administration Building Auditorium
May 25 / 5:00 PM / Administration Building Auditorium
June 22 / 5:00 PM / Administration Building Auditorium
July 27 / 5:00 PM / Administration Building Auditorium
August / No meeting
September 28 / 5:00 PM / Administration Building Auditorium
October 26 / 5:00 PM / Administration Building Auditorium
November 16 / 5:00 PM / Administration Building Auditorium
December 14 / 5:00 PM / Administration Building Auditorium

See the reports from the 2020 Board of Trustees meetings.
See the reports from the 2019 Board of Trustees meetings.
See the reports from the 2018 Board of Trustees meetings.

Cuyahoga County Public Library’s Board of Trustees welcomes public input in its deliberations and recognizes both the importance of public comment on issues before the Board and of members of the community expressing their views on matters of interest to Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL).

Public participation is governed by the Library's Public Participation at Board Meetings Policy.

Board Committee Meetings

Board Committee meetings take place throughout the year and are open to the public. Board Committee meeting dates, times and locations are subject to change. If you are planning to attend a meeting, it is suggested that you call 216.398.1800 in advance to verify the meeting date, time and location.

2021 Finance Committee Meetings

January 26 / 4:00 PM / Virtual Meeting
February 23 / 4:00 PM / Administration Building Auditorium
March 23 / 4:00 PM / Administration Building Auditorium
April 27 / 4:00 PM / Administration Building Auditorium
May 25 / 4:00 PM / Administration Building Auditorium
June 22 / 4:00 PM / Administration Building Auditorium
July 27 / 4:00 PM / Administration Building Auditorium
August / No meeting
September 28 / 4:00 PM / Administration Building Auditorium
October 26 / 4:00 PM / Administration Building Auditorium
November 16 / 4:00 PM / Administration Building Auditorium
December 14 / 4:00 PM / Administration Building Auditorium

See the minutes from the 2020 Board of Trustees Finance Committee meetings.
See the minutes from the 2019 Board of Trustees Finance Committee meetings.
See the minutes from the 2018 Board of Trustees Finance Committee meetings.

2021 Capital Committee Meetings

The Capital Committee meets in the Administration Building Auditorium, unless otherwise noted.

There are no meetings of the Capital Committee currently scheduled.

See the minutes from the 2020 Board of Trustees Capital Committee meetings.
See the minutes from the 2019 Board of Trustees Capital Committee meetings.
See the minutes from the 2018 Board of Trustees Capital Committee Meetings.

2021 Policy, Planning & External Relations Committee Meetings

The Policy, Planning & External Relations Committee meets in the Library Administration Building Auditorium, unless otherwise noted.

January 7 / 3:00 PM / Virtual Meeting

See the minutes from the 2020 Board of Trustees Policy, Planning & External Relations Committee meetings.
See the minutes from the 2019 Board of Trustees Policy, Planning & External Relations Committee meetings.
See the minutes from the 2018 Board of Trustees Policy, Planning & External Relations Committee meetings.

2021 Records Commission Meetings

Records Commission meetings are held in the Administration Building Auditorium, unless otherwise noted.

January 25 / 4:45 PM / Virtual meeting

Our Board of Trustees

Cuyahoga County Public Library is a separate political subdivision governed by a seven-member Board of Trustees. Board members are appointed for seven-year terms by the Cuyahoga County government and the Court of Common Pleas. Board members serve without remuneration and are responsible for promoting the highest level of public library service to residents of the 47 communities we serve.

William J. Leonard, President
Mr. Leonard is Executive Vice President of Oswald Companies. He serves on the board of St. Edward High School. Mr. Leonard has formerly served on the Boards of the Children Aid Society and NOACA. He was appointed for a seven-year term by the Court of Common Pleas. His term expires December 2021.

Dean E. DePiero, Vice President
Mr. DePiero has served as Of Counsel for McDonald Hopkins since 2005 and is currently the Law Director for the City of Aurora and Assistant Law Director/Prosecutor for Broadview Heights. Mr. DePiero had also served as the Mayor of Parma and as an Ohio State Representative. He was appointed by the Cuyahoga County Executive with confirmation by the Cuyahoga County Council; his term expires in January 2024.

Allyn A. Davies, Secretary
Ms. Davies is the Co-Owner of The Merrymeeting Group. She also serves on the Cuyahoga County Library Foundation Board and Cleveland Central Catholic High School Advisory Board. She was appointed by the Cuyahoga County Executive with confirmation by the Cuyahoga County Council. Her term expires in March 2022.

Edward H. Blakemore
Mr. Blakemore is Assistant General Counsel at Rockwell Automation where he has primary responsibility for product liability, commercial and toxic tort litigation filed against the Fortune 500 company. He was appointed for a seven-year term by the Cuyahoga County Executive with confirmation by Cuyahoga County Council. His term expires December 2026.

Patricia Shlonsky photo Patricia A. Shlonsky
Ms. Shlonsky is Partner-In-Charge of Ulmer & Berne LLP's Cleveland office and chairs the firm's Employee Benefits and Tax Practice Groups. She was appointed for a seven-year term by the Cuyahoga County Executive with confirmation by Cuyahoga County Council. Her term expires January 2027.

Maria L. Spangler
Ms. Spangler is the Community Engagement Manager for The Sherwin-Williams Company. She was appointed by the Court of Common Pleas. Her term expires October 2024.

Robert W. Varley
Mr. Varley is retired. He was formerly the Managing Director of Midwest State & Local Affairs for Dominion. A resident of Solon, he was appointed by the Court of Common Pleas. Mr. Varley chairs the Capital Committee. His term expires October 2025.

Cuyahoga County Public Library Finance Director Scott Morgan is the Board's Fiscal Officer and Assistant Finance Director Robert Dolan is Deputy Fiscal Officer.

Working with CCPL

As a system with 27 branches serving 47 communities, Cuyahoga County Public Library has many bid and contract service opportunities during the year. Our Facilities Division, located in our Administrative Office Building, posts all bids and contract opportunities.

We also partner with local organizations to connect our community with educational, cultural and entertainment assets in Cuyahoga County. Contact our Communications & External Relations Division, located in our Administrative Office Building, for information regarding partnerships.

Cuyahoga County - Public Library