Ritter Public Library is organized as an agency of the Vermilion Local Schools. Library board members are appointed by the Vermilion Local Schools board. Ritter trustees serve seven-year terms without compensation. They attend regular board meetings (currently held the second Tuesday of the month except August, beginning at 7 pm) and other special meetings as called. Trustees also serve on at least two board committees and attend committee meetings.
Marie Warden - President
Ms. Warden has served since 2002 and is a former board president. She is chair of the Endowment and Non-Union Compensation committees and also serves on the Art, Building & Grounds, Finance and Strategic Planning committees. Ms. Warden, who graduated from Kent State University, is a retired preschool teacher, a lifetime member of the Friends of Ritter Public Library and served for 12 years on the Vermilion Local Schools Board of Education.
Chad Coolidge - Vice President
Mr. Coolidge joined the board in 2018 and serves on the Policy, Strategic Planning and Nominating committees. He is chair of the Personnel Committee. Coolidge is a former Ritter staff member.
Lois Arnold - Corresponding Secretary
Ms. Arnold began her term on the board in 2015. She is chair of the Policy Committee and also serves on the Building & Grounds, Endowment and Finance committees. She is retired after 30 years of teaching high school government, history and English in Willoughby-Eastlake schools. She also worked more recently as a certified pharmacy technician and home health care specialist for Vermilion’s Drug Mart. She has lived in Vermilion since 1992.
Doug Brown
Mr. Brown began his third term on the board in 2025 after two previous terms in prior years. He serves on the Finance and Building and Grounds Committees. He has served on a number of boards and committees in Vermilion including a term on the Vermilion Board of Education. He is a graduate of Brown University in Providence, RI and recently retired after 40 years as an employee benefit consultant in Cleveland. He and his wife Sue have lived in Vermilion for most of their lives and have two grown daughters.
Mary Deucher
Mary began her term on the board in January 2026. As residents of Vermilion for over 40 years, Mary and her family have been avid users and supporters of Ritter Public Library.
Julie Armstrong-Sexton
Julie began her term on the board in February 2026. As a retired educator with 34 years of experience in the classroom, Julie developed a deep commitment to literacy. She is a graduate of Vermilion High School, Miami University, and Marygrove College. Julie is a lifelong Vermilion resident, married to Keith, and has two sons.
Jacob Raffo
Jacob began his term on the board in February 2026. He is a proud lifelong Lake Erie resident, with roots and connections established all along the North Coast of Ohio. Since graduating from Vermilion High School, Jacob has spent over a decade building his network & career in this community, with a strong commitment to public service and regional & statewide collaboration, to expand services, access, and opportunities to local residents. Currently, Jacob serves as a Compliance Administrative Specialist in the Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio’s Programs & Partner Services department, working closely with community partners & stakeholders to strengthen food access and close hunger gaps across the region. Jacob's background in outreach, event coordination, and public engagement inform his approach to supporting Ritter Public Library's mission as a member of the Board of Trustees.