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, generally on the fourth Tuesday of each month. All meetings are open to the public. Board meeting reports are available online following each meeting. Board meetings are held in the Administration Building Auditorium, unless otherwise noted. 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.

2019 Board of Trustees Meetings

January 22 / 6:00 PM
February 26 / 6:00 PM
March 26 / 6:00 PM
April 30 / 6:00 PM
May 28 / 6:00 PM
June 18 / 6:00 PM
July 23 / 6:00 PM
August / No Meeting
September 24 / 6:00 PM
October 22 / 6:00 PM
November 26 / 6:00 PM
December 17 / 6:00 PM

See the reports from the 2019 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.

2019 Finance Committee Meetings

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

January 22 / 5:00 PM
February 26 / 5:00 PM
March 26 / 5:00 PM
April 30 / 5:00 PM
May 28 / 5:00 PM
June 18 / 5:00 PM
July 23 / 5:00 PM
August / No Meeting
September 24 / 5:00 PM
October 22 / 5:00 PM
November 26 / 5:00 PM
December 17 / 5:00 PM

See the minutes from the 2018 Board of Trustees Finance Committee Meetings.

2019 Capital Committee Meetings

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

January 22 / 5:30 PM

See the minutes from the 2017 Board of Trustees Capital Committee Meetings.

2019 Policy, Planning & External Relations Committee Meetings

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

There are no meetings of the Policy, Planning & External Relations Committee scheduled at this time.

See the minutes from the 2017 Board of Trustees Policy, Planning & External Relations Committee Meetings.

2019 Records Commission Meetings

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

There are no Records Commission meetings scheduled at this time.

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.

Patricia Shlonsky photo Patricia A. Shlonsky, President
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. Ms Shlonsky chairs the Finance Committee. Her term expires January 2020.

William J. Leonard, Vice 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.

Elizabeth M. Hijar, Secretary
Ms. Hijar is General Counsel for The Centers for Families and Children. She also serves on the boards of the Global Ambassadors Language Academy, the Hispanic Roundtable and LAND Studio. A resident of Chagrin Falls, Ms. Hijar was appointed by the Cuyahoga County Executive with confirmation by the Cuyahoga County Council. Her term expires 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 2019.

Dean E. DePiero
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.

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 2018.

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

Structure+Administration

Cuyahoga County Public Library is comprised of 27 branches, a MetroHealth Service Point, and an Administrative Office Building. Our Administrative Office serves as headquarters for all Library divisions and the office of our Executive Director, Sari Feldman.

The Library features a “floating collection,” which means that library materials circulate through branches across the system. You can search for and request any item in our collection (or in the collections of our partners in SearchOhio and OhioLINK) from any of our branches or this website. Items can be picked up and returned to any branch in the system.

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