PORTSMOUTH, Ohio — The Scioto County Public Library will use part of a $10,000 grant from the Carnegie Corporation to help celebrate the 120th anniversary of its Portsmouth building this year, the library’s board of trustees was told at its Feb. 17 meeting.
In October, the Carnegie Corporation notified the library it would award $10,000 to libraries nationwide that were originally built with Carnegie funding, as part of programming marking next year’s 250th anniversary of the United States. The library received the money in February, according to the board’s meeting minutes.
The Portsmouth Library building will mark 120 years since its completion and the library’s opening this year. Library officials plan to use part of the Carnegie grant to hold a public reception celebrating the anniversary later this year, the minutes said. The library also plans programs and displays throughout the year focused on American, Ohio and Scioto County history as part of the nationwide 250th anniversary observance.
In personnel matters, the board was told that Carolyn Cottrell, the library’s Local History Department supervisor, will retire March 31 after a 30-year career with the library. A public retirement reception for Cottrell is planned for March 28 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Portsmouth Library.
The board also voted in a closed session to approve a two-step pay increase for Human Resources Manager Keely Woloschek, contingent on her passing a certification exam through the Society for Human Resource Management, with the library agreeing to cover the training and exam costs.
In routine business, the board approved the library’s 2025 annual financial report and $331,083.80 in January bills, including payroll.
The information contained in this story was obtained from the Scioto County Public Library Board of Trustees.
