Waterford Library reports $76,000 in state aid and several program and staffing updates

Library Director Julie Schaefer told the Library Advisory Committee on Jan. 28 that the library received $76,000 in state aid for 2025 and that she submitted the State Aid Report used to determine future state funding levels. She also noted the unexpected passing of State Librarian Randy Riley and said staff will continue to monitor impacts on state-level library support.

Schafe r reported personnel and program updates: Gary Allison is the Township's new Director of Communications; a mural in the Children's Department has been completed; the library discontinued its chat service as of Jan. 1; and a new community group, Waterford Artists Connection, held its first meeting at the library on Jan. 10 with about 20 attendees. The library previewed a new logo packet created by OU students, which staff said will be delivered at the end of January.

Schafe r said the library purchased a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox to serve as a new library vehicle. During the Directors Report, Trustee Steve Chisnell asked about metrics tracked in staff reports, including whether patrons whose library cards are purged after three years can be recaptured and what is counted as a 'reference question' (staff clarified that reference questions are queries for books or information, with computer and 'other' questions categorized separately).

Because this was an informational meeting with no quorum, the Committee did not take any votes on the items reported. The Committee will review bylaws and Rules of Conduct at the next meeting on Feb. 25, 2026.