Page 3 - Dresden Buzz 02/06/2026

FEBRUARY 6 - 19, 2026 LOCAL NEWS | PAGE 3
MCLS Executive Director, Chamber welcomes Boot Barn

Stacey Russell, elected 2026

Ohio Library Council Board Chair

BY LYNETTE DOTSON | DRESDEN BUZZ
As a member of the Ohio Library Coun-
cil for over 30 years, Russell has served
on the board multiple times. Her role as
Chair is an elected volunteer position
that is in addition to the work she does in
Muskingum County.
“It’s a volunteer position, and we en-
courage our staff to be involved with
Ohio Library Council and other profes-
sional development organizations. So it’s
something that we do while we’re doing
our role here at the library. There’s a lot
of positives for the library system and for
our staff to be involved in state or nation-
al organizations for libraries,” said Rus-
sell.
Being a leader within the council con-
tinues to be of high importance, as local
and nationwide issues are brought to the
Stacey Russell, CPA, CPFO, MCLS Executive forefront.
Director and 2026 Ohio Library Council Board “One of our initiatives is strategic plan-
Chair. submitted
ning and also education for the commu-
Executive director for the Muskingum nity and for members on property tax is-
County Library System, Stacey Russell, sues and how property taxes help provide
CPA, CPFO, has been elected to serve as library services across the state of Ohio.
Chair of the Ohio Library Council’s Board Because it’s a hot topic issue in the state
of Directors in 2026. right now. But definitely, for Muskingum
“Stacey is a proven leader who un- County personally, it’s over 40% of our
derstands both the operational realities budget. So it’s important to the work that
and the transformative impact of public we do here in Muskingum County,” Rus- Picture from left to right are Jeff Hardwick, Board Member & Ambassador of the Zanesville/Musking-
libraries,” said Michelle Francis, Execu- sell stated. um County Chamber of Commerce; Dana Matz Zanesville/Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce
tive Director of the Ohio Library Council. Other officers elected to serve on the President, Cassidy Cunningham, Boot Barn ICS Manager; and Teri Gideon-Badgett, Boot Barn Zanesville
“She steps into this role at a critical time, Ohio Library Council Board in 2026 in- Store Manager. Lynette Dotson
as our libraries face a decrease in state clude William Rutger, Executive Director CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
funding, rising costs, and growing com- of the Sandusky Library, as Chair-Elect,
munity needs. Stacey’s extensive experi- and Travis Bautz, Executive Director of ty, and we’re excited to work with them. hats. Men’s, women’s, and children’s
ence in library administration and fiscal the MidPointe Library System, as Secre- And we hope everybody in the communi- styles are available.
management will be invaluable as we tary-Treasurer. ty stops by and checks out this beautiful “We’re excited to be here. Like the
address the challenges and opportunities Additional newly elected members place,” said Tom. whole entire team is excited to be here.
ahead.” include Cindy Lombardo, Trustee of the The Zanesville location boasts about And we absolutely welcome everything
The Ohio Library Council serves 251 Peninsula Library & Historical Society 11,000 square feet filled with Western that comes up. So we’re very happy to
public libraries throughout the state and and Susan Titkemeier, Information and
currently has over 4,500 members com- Technical Services Manager, Marion Pub- fashion and, of course, a massive selec- be part of this,” said Gideon-Badgett.
ing from all positions within the libraries lic Library. tion of boots. In-store, there are over 30 The Boot Barn is located at 3885
where they work, including fiscal officers, Returning board members for 2026 brands of boots in stock, with even more Gorsky Drive, Unit F9, Zanesville, next to
directors, librarians, and trustees. Their are: Kathy Bach, Public Services Direc- available online. Conveniently, online or- Dollar Tree. Their store hours are Mon-
mission is to strengthen the Ohio public tor, Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public ders can be shipped to the store for easy day through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00
library community through advocacy, ed- Library; Monica Baughman, Director of pickup. p.m., and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00
ucation, collaboration, and innovation. Support Services, Worthington Libraries; Besides boots, the store offers every- p.m. Visit www.bootbarn.com for more
“I see it as kind of like one of the pinna- Julianne Bedel, Executive Director, Me- thing needed to complete your western information and to shop and browse
cles of my career,” stated Russell. “To be dina County District Library; Kim DeNe- look from head to toe, including belts their inventory.
recognized and elected by my peers.” ro-Ackroyd, Deputy Director, Cleveland and buckles, jewelry, jeans, shirts, and
“It’s just another way to serve Ohio li- Heights-University Heights Public Library;
braries. You know, I’m very passionate Elizabeth Muether, Director/Fiscal Offi-
about connecting people with informa- cer, Mercer County District Library; Bernie
tion, whether it’s here in Muskingum Rochford, Trustee, Akron-Summit County
County or across the state. I’m very pas- Public Library; and Sandra Hedlund Tun-
sionate about advocacy. This gives me nell, Trustee, Ashland Public Library.
an additional role to advocate not just For information about the Ohio Library
for Muskingum County, but Ohio public Council, visit www.olc.org. The Musking-
libraries across the state with state and um County Library System can be found
federal legislators. So I’m very excited online at muskingumlibrary.org.
about that and that opportunity,” added
Russell.

5K Run Downtown

RACE Zanesville this

1-MILE St. Patrick’s Day

FUN RUN/WALK Weekend

SCAN TO March 14 , 2026
th
REGISTER
HERE 10:00am