Board of Trustees

Current Members

Members of the Library Board of Trustees are appointed by the Board of Education of the Westerville School District in accordance with the provisions of Section 3375.15 of the Ohio Revised Code. A trustee shall not serve more than one full seven-year term unless otherwise determined by the Board of Education of the Westerville School District. View related documents.

Jon C. Walden
President

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Biography

Jon C. Walden was appointed to the Board in January 2019. A lawyer for over 24 years who has worked in both the public and private sectors, Jon currently serves as Chief Legal Counsel for a state agency. In his previous private sector experience, he worked in one of the leading Directors and Officers Liability practice groups.

As a 15-year resident of Westerville, he has had the good fortune of serving the community in various roles, ranging from working with Otterbein University and the City of Westerville on planning committees to serving on two levy committees and a Finance Review Committee for the Westerville City Schools. Outside of the community, he has spent many years volunteering on the Development Board of Nationwide Children's Hospital.

He welcomes the opportunity to help the Westerville Public Library fulfill its mission in meeting the community's educational, professional, and personal needs.

Cynthia DeVese
Vice President

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Biography

Cynthia DeVese was appointed to the Board in January 2020. An active community member, Cynthia has a strong background in education, cultural diversity, business management, and leadership. Her husband Dr. Larry DeVese and their two children Ayanna and Malik have called Westerville home for the last twelve years. She cannot count how many times they have entered the doors of the library to volunteer, tutor, hear an author, attend a meeting, and pick up books.

Cynthia currently serves on the City of Westerville Diversity Committee, the Westerville Diversity Collaborative, and is an alumnus of Leadership Westerville. Professionally, she is an educator with over 27 years of experience with five years working as an administrator for Westerville City Schools. In her role as Coordinator for Minority Student Achievement, she works to ensure that diversity and equity is acknowledged in all facets of the school district.

In addition, she is the self-published author of two books, Coaching Your Child to Academic Success and The College Prep Planner for College Bound Students. She also provides college access programs and keynotes throughout the country to support students and families on the college journey.

She is thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as Westerville Public Library Board of Trustee.

Ashley Johnston
Secretary

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Biography

Bradley Eft
Member

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Biography

Bradley Eft was appointed to the Board in January 2022. Since 1987, he has been a resident of the Westerville School District, and an avid user of the Westerville Library’s services. A weekly visit to the library is a must for himself and his wife. A native of Northeast Ohio, he is excited to have the opportunity to serve as a Westerville Public Library Board of Trustee.

He moved to the Columbus area in 1995, working at Micro Center’s home office as a Merchandise Manager for books and magazines. During his 24 years at Micro Center his responsibilities expanded to include the Maker Tech and DIY Electronics categories. Currently he works as a consultant and business advisor to several tech start-ups.

Prior to moving to Westerville he worked at Dayton’s Books & Co. bookstore and at Barnes & Noble in the greater New York area. Bradley began his bookselling career in 1981 in a B. Dalton bookseller in suburban Michigan

Heather Creed
Member

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Biography

Heather Creed was appointed to the Board in January 2017. With a background in education and law, she is currently the Executive Director of the Law and Leadership Institute (LLI), a statewide non-profit organization that seeks to prepare high school students from underserved areas for success in college and beyond. She brings with her creative thinking skills that will help the library evaluate cost-effective ways to partner with other organizations and better serve our community.

As the parent of two sons – a 10-year-old who loves to read and a toddler who loves to be read to - her family enjoyed visits to the library so much that it was one of the reasons they chose to move here. A new resident of the area, she is delighted to call Westerville home for many years to come and is excited for the opportunity to contribute her time and talents to a place that has already given so much to her.

Julie Mujic
Member

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Biography

Julie Mujic was appointed to the library board for a term beginning in January 2018. A historian by training, Julie owns Paramount Historical Consulting and teaches in the Global Commerce program at Denison University. Julie maintains an active research and publication agenda that focuses mainly on the American Civil War.

She moved with her husband and two young daughters to Westerville in 2016, where they quickly became engaged in the activities offered by the library and the community. Julie is excited to contribute to the vibrant future of the library.

Shawn Smith
Member

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Biography

Shawn Smith was appointed to the Board in January 2016.

Shawn has over fifteen years’ experience in the governmental finance, auditing, and policy development arenas. He has held volunteer positions on both the Executive Committee of the Central Ohio Association of Government Accountants and the Finance Committee of the YMCA of Central Ohio. Shawn is a Certified Government Financial Manager and a Certified Public Manager. He graduated summa cum laude from Capital University and was inducted into the Tau Pi Phi National Honor Society.

He has been recognized on a number of occasions for his systematic and programmatic work in maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations. His efforts in promoting procurement with minority businesses led to the receipt of two consecutive Governor’s Top Honors Awards. His proudest professional achievement has been coordinating, amongst thousands of local government entities, the state-wide implementation of Wireless Enhanced 9-1-1 Service in Ohio.

A Columbus native, Shawn and his family have lived in the Westerville area for the last fourteen years. He is honored to serve as a Trustee with the Westerville Public Library. Shawn hopes to draw upon his experience to further the mission of the library, support its outstanding staff, and promote a love of literature in the Westerville area.

Upcoming Meetings

Previous Meetings

The Board meets regularly each month. The public is welcome to attend.

View Agendas & Minutes

Committees

Board committees of one or more members each may be appointed from time to time by the President or by Board action. These committees may be temporary [Ad Hoc] committees to examine specific issues or concerns, or they may be on-going [Standing] committees for continuing purposes or projects of the Board.

Finance & Facilities

The responsibilities of the Finance and Facilities Committee will include but not be limited to overseeing and reviewing the budget, reviewing library audits; performing cost analyses on proposals submitted by the Executive Director and making recommendations to the Board on these proposals, and conducting the Fiscal Officer’s Annual Performance Appraisal. The Committee will also review projects and services as they relate to library facilities and provide recommendations to the Board.

Current Members:

Ashley Johnston, Chair
Cynthia DeVese
Bradley Eft

View Meeting Minutes

View Financial Dashboard (NEW)

Human Resources

The responsibilities of the Human Resources Committee will include but not be limited to: conducting the Executive Director’s Annual Performance Appraisal and interviewing candidates for the position of Trustee.

Current Members:

Jon Walden, Chair
Cynthia DeVese
Julie Mujic

View Meeting Minutes

Strategic Initiatives

The responsibilities of the Strategic Initiatives Committee will include but not be limited to overseeing the progress of the current Strategic Plan and advising the Executive Director and library staff on strategic library projects.

Current Members: