Minutes – October 10, 2025

Welcome and Call to Order

The two hundred seventh meeting of the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN) Board of Trustees was called to order at 10:01 ᴀ.ᴍ. on Friday, October 10, 2025 by Board Chair Ben Bolbach at the OPLIN office in Columbus, Ohio.

Present were Board members: Ben Bolbach, Michael Butler, Mohamed Ragheb, Andrea Ralston, CJ Stephens, Shawn Walsh, and Meredith Wickham.

Also present were: Jessica Dooley, Christine Morris, Don Yarman, and Derek Zoladz (OPLIN); Evan Struble and Jamie Pardee (State Library); and Jay Smith (Ohio Library Council).

Attending virtually via Zoom: OPLIN Board members Bill Lane, Jennifer Reynard, and Brad Stephens; Laura Solomon (OPLIN); Stephanie Herriott, and Mandy Knapp (State Library).

Approval of the Agenda

Andrea Ralston moved to approve the agenda as presented; Meredith Wickham seconded. There was no discussion, so the chair called for a vote on the motion: all aye from those present; Bill Lane, aye; Jennifer Reynard, aye; and Brad Stephens, aye.

Public Participation

The Chair called for public participation.

Mandy Knapp noted that the State Library continues to search for a new location, and that repairs are currently made to the roof of their current building. The State Library has selected a vendor to assist them with their new strategic plan.  Although the federal government is shutdown, the State Library is collecting LSTA competitive grant proposals, which are due October 20. Along with SEO, the State Library has launched a pilot cybersecurity program for small libraries, focusing on areas of need as outlined in the Ohio Cyber Range Institute's Cyber Frontline First Aid Kit. Knapp is nearing the end of her Listening Tour, and will report her findings to the State Library Board in December. 

Jay Smith provided updates on OLC's regional director meetings, upcoming conferences, and changes in cybersecurity reporting requirements. Smith provided clarification on changes in trustee term lengths and explained the impact of new legislation on library levies.

Approval of the Minutes

Mohamed Ragheb moved to approve the minutes of the August 8, 2025 meeting as presented; Michael Butler seconded. There was no discussion, so the chair called for a vote on the motion: all aye from those present; Bill Lane, aye; Jennifer Reynard, aye; and Brad Stephens, aye.

Acceptance of the Financial Reports

Jamie Pardee presented the financial reports, noting that the organization is on target with its budgets and has a cushion for unexpected expenses.

CJ Stephens moved to accept the financial reports; Andrea Ralston seconded. There was no discussion, so the chair called for a vote on the motion: all aye from those present; Bill Lane, aye; Jennifer Reynard, aye; and Brad Stephens, aye.

Unfinished Business

Lower-tier Managed Branch Connection

Many libraries have told Yarman that the existing Managed Branch Connection service costing $2,000 per year for 1Gbps fiber is too expensive and overkill for their small locations. In response, he has proposed a lower-cost service where OPLIN would provide 1Gbps download speeds on providers' business class networks for $750 per year. This new service offers libraries reduced admin (no monthly bills, no E-Rate), better technical support, and even increased cybersecurity by bringing branches within OPLIN’s IP address space.

Shawn Walsh moved to approve the proposed lower-tier managed branch connection service; Andrea Ralston seconded. There was no discussion, so the Chair called for a roll call vote on the motion.

Recorded vote: Ben Bolbach, aye; Michael Butler, aye; Jenny Eyink, aye; Bill Lane, aye; Mohamed Ragheb, aye; Andrea Ralston, aye; Jennifer Reynard, aye; Brad Stephens, aye; CJ Stephens, aye; Shawn Walsh, aye; and Meredith Wickham, aye.

New Business

Gongwer Subscription

Yarman outlined a change to Gongwer's subscription model which would provide library administrators with an individual login to the full suite of tools Gongwer provides, enhanced bill tracking and keyword alerts. Yarman expressed concerns about the on-going management of the limited subscription pool, the potential price increases due to the expanded toolset, and the propriety of spending state funds on tools that, at root, are designed to facilitate individual lobbying. The board agreed, and directed Yarman to maintain the current newsletter distribution model.

Strategic Discussion

The board engaged in a visioning exercise led by Evan Struble, Associate State Librarian for Ohio, to discuss OPLIN's role in the library community. 

Question 1: "As an OPLIN board member, what would you like OPLIN to be known for in the library community?" 
Answers emphasized OPLIN's potential to be known as a connection hub and technological resource for libraries, praising OPLIN's customer service and lack of judgement. As libraries face cuts locally, they praise OPLIN's commitment to equity across the board while allowing libraries to remain autonomous and make local decisions. 

Question 2: "If money were no object, what would you change about OPLIN?"
Board members talked about the potential of OPLIN to become a "solutions architect," driving library innovation and becoming more hands-on with library solutions in technology, networking, cybersecurity, marketing, and even software development. They discussed expanding the staff and the geographic footprint into regional offices. Through economies of scale, they imagined OPLIN taking on a coordinated technology purchasing role, offering a "standard OPLIN machine" similar to the preconfigured equipment the Ohio Auditor's office provides, removing some technical frustrations from libraries.

Question 3: "What are the core values of OPLIN as an organization?"
Participants agreed that public service is a key principle guiding the staff, caring about the ultimate result of what libraries do to give patrons a good experience, a frictionless experience. Others mentioned values such as efficiency, a commitment to sustainability and accountability; proactivity, identifying solutions to problems libraries may not know they have; and the openness, respectfulness, and professionalism of the staff, noting that OPLIN never passes the buck. 

Question 4: "How does OPLIN lead with those values—both now, but also into the future?"
Discussion focused on OPLIN's leadership in cybersecurity and digital library services. Participants discussed how OPLIN could drive cost-effective cybersecurity solutions for libraries through scale and collaboration, particularly with smaller libraries during funding squeezes.

OPLIN Staff Reports

OPLIN Director's Report

Don Yarman reviewed the current state of E-Rate bid requests—fewer managed branch connection requests than last year, double the usual number of library circuits expiring. The OPLIN staff are preparing for the upcoming OLC Convention in Cleveland, designing new booth displays and finalizing plans for the stickers to give away. Yarman said that the informational focus at the booth will be to provide libraries accessible information for developing their cybersecurity plans. Ben Bolbach suggested that OPLIN encourage libraries to conduct tabletop exercises to practice how their plans stand up to potential cyber incidents.

Yarman also told the Board that he is working the State Library on a possible Capital Budget request to get funds for upgrading and expanding OPLIN's core. He'll have more information about that request at the December meeting.

Digital Resources Manager’s Report

Christine Morris talked briefly about the end of E-Rate hotspot funding, noting that ALA worked hard to advocate for continued funding, and that the Brown County library was part of ALA's national advocacy campaign. The legislative focus has turned toward expanding the funding source of the Universal Services Fund. With the loss of IMLS grant funding, the E-Rate State Coordinators have organized a series of virtual workshops for themselves. And Morris outlined the statewide relaunch of Northstar Digital Literacy resources in libraries alongside a project to bring digital education into the state's correctional facilities.

Library Services Manager’s Report

Laura Solomon reported that nearly all the library Webkit sites have migrated to the new templates; only seven libraries remain. Solomon continues to remediate accessibility issues on various OPLIN resources, such as her "What Does This Mean to Me, Laura?" blog. Solomon has been holding "accessibility office hours" to assist Webkit customers with the accessibility problems flagged by the checker tool installed on their sites.

Technology Projects Manager’s Report

Jessica Dooley reported that 90% of the new circuit orders for the current fiscal year are complete; there were unusual delays mostly due to Spectrum's project to upgrade their infrastructure in the SOCC. Dooley has been assisting libraries with changing their internal network configurations to accommodate a change in how Spectrum delivers their point-to-point branch circuits, and is working with the Central Library Consortium to implement layer 2 VPN tunneling between member libraries and the consortium equipment in the SOCC, saving libraries the cost of purchasing new VPN devices. Dooley reported that DAS is in the process of restoring Juniper maintenance agreements; she has paused any major hardware maintenance activities until coverage is restored.

Dooley praised CyberOhio's webinars that outline for local government entities the new cybersecurity requirements in ORC 9.61, and she will be presenting a webinar packaging some of that information specifically for libraries, highlighting tools such as CIS controls that will help libraries develop plans that comply with requirements. Dooley emphasized the common information-gathering tasks that are the first step in forming such plans—"What are your critical business assets? How do you get access to them? Who is the vendor providing them? Do you have a secure storage of the credentials for them?"—information libraries have to compile for themselves since no consultant can do it for them. Since federal funding was ended for the MS-ISAC program providing free vulnerability scans to state and local governments, OPLIN paid to enroll all library IPs it controls in the program, and passes on any vulnerabilities detected to the local library.

CyberOhio is has reviewed applications for their Cybersecurity Software and Services Grant, and will announce the awards after they receive their funds from FEMA. CyberOhio anticipates more rounds of federal funding, and Dooley outlined several eligible services that may be of use to libraries.

Chair's Report – none

Adjournment

With no other business pending, Andrea Ralston moved to adjourn; Michael Butler seconded. All aye. The Chair adjourned the meeting at 11:44 ᴀ.ᴍ.

Minutes – August 8, 2025

Welcome and Call to Order

The two hundred sixth meeting of the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN) Board of Trustees was called to order at 10:00 ᴀ.ᴍ. on Friday, August 8, 2025 by Board Vice Chair Ben Bolbach on Zoom.

Attending virtually were OPLIN Board members Ben Bolbach, Michael Butler, Jenny Eyink, Bill Lane, Mohamed Ragheb, Andrea Ralston,  Jennifer Reynard, Brad Stephens, CJ Stephens, Shawn Walsh, and Meredith Wickham; Jessica Dooley, Christine Morris, Laura Solomon, Don Yarman, and Derek Zoladz (OPLIN) (OPLIN); Stephanie Herriott, Mandy Knapp, and Jamie Pardee (State Library); and Michelle Francis (Ohio Library Council).

Nomination and Election of Board Officers

Shawn Walsh nominated the following slate of officers: Ben Bolbach, Chair; Bill Lane, Vice Chair; Meredith Wickham, Treasurer; Jennifer Reynard, Secretary. Michael Butler seconded the nominations. The Vice Chair asked if there were any objections or abstentions. With no objections, the motion passed unanimously. Ben Bolbach continued to run the meeting as newly elected Chair.

Approval of the Agenda

Michael Butler moved to approve the agenda as presented; Mohamed Ragheb seconded. The Chair asked if there were any objections or abstentions; with none, the motion passed unanimously.

Establish Board Meeting Schedule for FY2026

Following the pattern of holding OPLIN Board meetings at 10:00 a.m. on the second Friday of even-numbered months, Yarman presented the following meeting schedule:

• October 10, 2025
• December 12, 2025
• February 13, 2026
• April 10, 2026
• June 12, 2026
• August 14, 2026

CJ Stephens moved to approve the proposed meeting schedule; Shawn Walsh seconded. The Chair asked if there were any objections or abstentions; with none, the motion passed unanimously.

Public Participation

The Chair called for public participation.

Michelle Francis explained that the new state budget, HB 96, sets the PLF at a line-item appropriation rather than a percentage of the state's general revenue. She noted that for FY26 funding is approximately $26 million less than FY25, and in addition to the Library for the Blind and OPLIN, appropriations for the regional library systems, Ohioana Library Foundation, and the State Library will be deducted from the PLF. The governor vetoed the provision regarding the segregation of certain library materials for individuals under 18 was line-item vetoed, and while there are efforts to override this veto, it is unlikely to happen until September due to legislative recess. Francis also discussed new cybersecurity provisions in the state budget, noting that aside from some listed best practices, it contains little that is new to libraries.

Mandy Knapp provided updates on several State Library initiatives, including discussions about cybersecurity support for libraries and the State Library's upcoming RFP for a strategic planning consultant. She shared that her listening tour continues to visit libraries across the state. A potential downtown location for the State Library on East Chestnut was ruled out due to structural issues; the State Library is exploring a partnership with the Ohio Expo Commission regarding a building on the fairgrounds. Knapp also noted positive news regarding Federal LSTA funding through the Senate Appropriations Committee, though this is an early stage in the budget process.

Mohamed Ragheb passed along concerns from libraries about the end of the statewide WhoFi contract. Knapp said the State Library initially purchased WhoFi for wireless statistics counting, and it was never their intention to provide community calendar and other products the company later developed and bundled into their offering. She acknowledged that the timing of the contract end isn't great due to budget challenges, so the State Library will pay for an additional year of the products to give libraries time to consider their options. Yarman noted that the OPLIN staff will help libraries get their WiFi stats after the analytics portion of the WhoFi contract ends in December, and he intends to pursue a contract with the company for those other products in use by OPLIN's Webkit customers.

Approval of the Minutes

CJ Stephens moved to approve the minutes of the August 9, 2025 meeting as presented; Andrea Ralston seconded. The Chair asked if there were any objections or abstentions; with none, the motion passed unanimously.

Acceptance of the Financial Reports

Jamie Pardee reviewed the final financial reports for FY25—expenses totaling $4,897,000 and receipts of $5,400,000—and presented the FY26 budget estimates. 

Meredith Wickham moved to accept the financial reports; Andrea Ralston seconded. There was no discussion, so the Chair called for a roll call vote on the motion.

Recorded vote: Ben Bolbach, aye; Michael Butler, aye; Jenny Eyink, aye; Bill Lane, aye; Mohamed Ragheb, aye; Andrea Ralston, aye; Jennifer Reynard, aye; Brad Stephens, aye; CJ Stephens, aye; Shawn Walsh, aye; and Meredith Wickham, aye.

Unfinished Business – none

New Business – none

Staff Raises

Andrea Ralston moved to approve staff raises of 4.5%; Meredith Wickham seconded. There was no discussion, so the Chair called for a roll call vote on the motion.

Recorded vote: Ben Bolbach, aye; Michael Butler, aye; Jenny Eyink, aye; Bill Lane, aye; Mohamed Ragheb, aye; Andrea Ralston, aye; Jennifer Reynard, aye; Brad Stephens, aye; CJ Stephens, aye; Shawn Walsh, aye; and Meredith Wickham, aye.

FY2026 Services Plan

In light of the new cybersecurity requirements for libraries which include annual training, the Board agreed to add cybersecurity planning to the services plan,  encouraging  libraries to enroll in OPCI training when available, and use alternative options like Niche Academy and the Cyber Frontline First Aid Kit (CFFAK) in the interim.  

Shawn Walsh moved to approve the FY2026 Services Plan; CJ Stephens seconded. The Chair asked if there were any objections or abstentions; with none, motion passed unanimously.

Strategic Planning

Noting that OPLIN's strategic plan expired in June, Yarman suggested that the Board invite Evan Struble, the Deputy State Library, to lead a strategic planning discussion at the October board meeting. Board members expressed their enthusiasm for using the services of Struble and his staff.

OPLIN Staff Reports

OPLIN Director's Report

Don Yarman provided updates to his written report, nothing that his concerns about the vendor Everstream's bankruptcy were resolved, and that North Star Digital Literacy is finalizing the contract for Ohio's statewide digital literacy training platform. 

Digital Resources Manager’s Report

Christine Morris highlighted the Supreme Court's ruling on E-rate's constitutionality, triggering discussions on funding mechanism reforms. Morris noted that the Congressional Revue Act resolution to reverse E-Rate support for hotspots is stalled in Congress, and meanwhile no requests for hotspot funding have been acted upon. Morris advises libraries to keep their options open when finalizing contracts with vendors. Morris also outlined that, even though grant funds were loss, the training for state E-Rate coordinators will continue.

Library Services Manager’s Report

Laura Solomon discussed some work remediating accessibility problems with some older OPLIN resources, like about:books and the Sanborn Maps interface (which Derek Zoladz is working to rebuild from scratch). Solomon continues to hold office hours to answer libraries' questions and concerns about meeting website accessibility requirements ahead of the DOJ deadline.

Technology Projects Manager’s Report

Jessica Dooley provided an overview of circuit installations, noting an increase in orders due to new managed branch connection services, and discussed Spectrum's infrastructure upgrade in the SOCC, replacing their fiber paths, core equipment, and network cards to ensure redundancy and abundant capacity. Dooley reported that the Cuyahoga County Public Library has finished migrating their network edge and production equipment from their Parma location to their rack in the SOCC, taking their disaster recovery equipment back to Parma.

Regarding the new cybersecurity rules for libraries, Dooley noted that the law takes what has long been best practice and makes it a legal requirement for local government entities. Dooley is pleased to hear about the progress of libraries in receiving training and support through programs like Ohio Persistent Cyber Improvement. She praised the Cyber Frontline First Aid Kit for providing helpful introductory content to organizations. Ragheb thanked Dooley and the OPLIN staff for their efforts working with vendors to bring up the new managed branch connections.

Chair's Report

Ben Bolbach echoed Ragheb's gratitude for Dooley's work coordinating communications between vendors and libraries during the projects to install new circuits, and the rest of the OPLIN staff for their commitment to service. Bolbach then appointed Jenny Eyink, Meredith Wickham, and CJ Stephens to the nominations committee.

Adjournment

With no other business pending, Andrea Ralston moved to adjourn; Jenny Eyink seconded. The Chair asked if there were any objections or abstentions; with none, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 11:07 ᴀ.ᴍ.