Mabel C. Fry librarian to retire in June as city cuts full-time position; board hears program and budget impacts

Mabel C. Fry Public Library Librarian Sarah Sheeman told the library board on a recent afternoon that she plans to retire in June and that the city manager has proposed eliminating the library’s full‑time position from the city budget effective July 1.

Why it matters: The staff cut, combined with existing vacancies, will reduce the library’s program offerings and staffing hours during the summer, could affect state aid reporting, and prompted a capital request intended to increase staff safety.

Sheeman said she has told the city manager and staff of her intent to retire and that she has done succession planning with her assistant, Shawna. "I plan on retiring in June. I'm gonna fill out my paperwork this week and turn it in," Sheeman said. She told the board the city manager "has decided that he's going to eliminate our full time position from the budget on [a] permanent basis. So that will be gone, effective July 1."

Sheeman described how the change will affect operations. The library will continue to follow state aid guidelines and is open 12 hours a day four days a week and eight hours on Friday and Saturday, with at least two staff on site during open hours. With fewer staff, however, the library has reduced multiple program sessions that previously ran concurrently. "We haven't been able to serve as many of our patrons as we would like," Sheeman said.

Board members and Sheeman discussed staff‑hour shortfalls. A board member noted that even if the city fills one position, the library will remain short roughly 59 staff hours compared with prior staffing levels. Sheeman said the 19‑hour part‑time position is included in the budget but will not be filled this fiscal year; it may be advertised and filled in the next fiscal year.

Sheeman warned the staffing change could affect the library’s state aid status, depending on how broadly staffing reductions are applied across city departments. She said she discussed the situation with the state data coordinator at the Department of Libraries, who indicated that if the cut looked like a temporary shortfall and the city intended to refill the role, the department might accept that explanation. "I don't know how this will all play out," Sheeman said.

Programming and outreach: Sheeman reviewed recent program activity and staff developments. Children's and teen program attendance increased in some areas after Stephanie Ascoland expanded young‑adult programming; Sheeman said Ascoland "has been doing a fabulous job" and that a second staff member typically assists on program days. The library has reduced the number of simultaneous children's program sessions and has suspended tween programs (roughly grades 4–7) for now.

Sheeman told the board the library continues monthly outreach story times at a local Head Start program and provides book talks at the county detention center; she said staff can take up to 20 books at a time to the facility and that Ascoland has begun presenting portions of that outreach work.

Statistics and anomalies: Sheeman flagged a reporting anomaly in the library’s vendor statistics. The library’s children’s database usage reported 940 uses in January 2024 and 15,088 in January 2025; Sheeman said the vendor has not corrected the discrepancy and the library cannot confirm the true number of local users. "We don't know really what our true numbers are, but that's what it reports," she said.

Budget and capital requests: Sheeman said the library’s proposed capital budget request for the 2025–26 fiscal year is $54,900, down from $61,000 the previous year. The request includes a $2,500 increase in the book budget and funds for furniture to convert an existing quiet reading room into two reservable meeting rooms with conference tables and chairs. She also requested protective window film for the back offices, describing it as a staff safety measure: "the window film would not stop a bullet, but it would not shatter the glass. And it would give staff a longer time ... to be able to call the police and get us some help," she said.

Fundraising and donations: Sheeman reported that the Friends of the Library continue to hold monthly book sales and that the Ladies Library Club co‑sponsored a February chocolate festival that raised funds. She also reported a donation: a local employer abbreviated in the transcript as "YNB" sent $380 and an individual, Randy Wright, personally matched that amount.

County coordination: Sheeman said Canadian County librarians meet monthly to coordinate purchases and programming so county residents can use cards at any library in the county; the Mabel C. Fry library hosted the county meeting in February.

Board comments and volunteers: Board members praised Sheeman's 25 years at the library. When asked about summer reading, Sheeman said Ascoland will lead the young‑adult and children's summer programs with assistance from regular staff and volunteers; the library also uses teen volunteers (eighth grade and above) for program support.

Votes at a glance - Approval of Jan. 15 minutes: Motion made and seconded; voice vote, board approved (motion carried). Mover/seconder not specified in transcript; tally not specified. - Motion to adjourn (4:30 p.m.): Motion made and seconded; voice vote, board approved (motion carried). Mover/seconder not specified in transcript; tally not specified.

What’s next: Sheeman said the city and departments will continue budget meetings in May and the city budget is scheduled for approval in June; staffing and capital requests may change during that process. Sheeman also reiterated her appreciation to the board and staff ahead of her planned retirement in June.