Library Timeline
Directors
1960-1963 — Gayle Clark
1963-1978 — Sarah Cody
1978-1988 — Rachel Wayne Nelson
1988-2008 — Stephen Wood
2008- — Nancy Levin
Assistant Directors
1963-1978 — Rachel Wayne Nelson
1980-1982 — Stephen Wood
Deputy Directors
1982-1988 — Stephen Wood
1989-1998 — Bescye Burnett
1999-2000 — Janice Ridgeway
2000-2003 — Susan Matisoff
2003-2011 — Catherine Hakala-Ausperk
2011- — Kimberlee DeNero-Ackroyd
Trustees
The seven members of the Board of Library Trustees are appointed to seven-year terms by the elected five-member Board of Education of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District.
FIRST BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
1916-1933 — C.E. Adams
1916-1939 — Mrs.F.C. Becker
1916-1918 — H.C.Muckley
1916-1928 — F.W.Ramsey
1916-1929 — Alfred Clum
1916-1923 — Mrs.T.E. Borton
1916-1931 — T.H.Hogsett
Librarians
1921-1928 — Helen Keeler
1928-1941 — Pauline Reich
1941-1960 — Nell Lynch
Historical Timeline
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
1916 | 1920 | 1921 | 1922 | 1923 | 1924 | 1925 | 1926 | 1928 | 1930 | 1932 | 1937 | 1949 | 1952 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS-UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
1965 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003
- A Board of Trustees was appointed but, because of World War I, the library was not organized until 1921.
- The High School Library was opened and administered by the Cleveland Heights Board of Education.
- Coventry School Library was opened and administered by the Cleveland Heights Board of Education.
- The Board of Trustees appointed a librarian, the Cleveland Heights Public Library was organized, and opened to the public. It was housed in the basement of Coventry Elementary School and the school library there became part of it.
- Fairfax Branch Library was opened in the Fairfax Elementary School.
- Roxboro Branch Library was opened in the Roxboro Elementary School.
- These two branch libraries were open three days a week each and both served the neighborhood as well as the school. Since they were open on alternate days, the same staff was in charge of both libraries.
- The High School Library became part of the Cleveland Heights Public Library.
- Noble Branch Library was organized and housed in a portable building located on the Noble Elementary School grounds.
- The administrative offices, catalog and order departments were moved from Coventry Elementary School into rented quarters at 1916 Lee Road. This became the Main Library.
- The library in the Coventry Elementary School was continued as Coventry Branch Library.
- Noble Branch Library was moved into another portable building which had been designed for library use. It was located on the Noble Elementary School grounds.
- Roosevelt Branch Library was opened in the Roosevelt Junior High School.
- Roxboro Branch Library was moved from the Roxboro Elementary School to quarters in the new Roxboro Junior High School across the street.
- The Main Library was moved from 1916 Lee Road into the new library building at Coventry Road and Washington Boulevard, which was the first permanent building owned by the library. Coventry Library then became the Main Library of the system at 1925 Coventry Road.
- Coventry Library expanded.
- The library at 1916 Lee Road was continued as Lee Branch Library.
- Monticello Branch Library was opened in the Monticello Junior High School.
- Lee Branch Library was moved into the new library building at Lee and Dellwood roads, which was the second permanent building owned by the library. This branch combined old Lee Branch, at 1916 Lee Road, and the Fairfax Branch Library, and these were now discontinued.
- Noble Branch Library was moved from the portable building on Noble Elementary School grounds to a new library building across the street at 2800 Noble Road. This was the third permanent building owned by the library.
- In April, the Board of Library Trustees purchased three lots at Cedar and Fenwick Roads in University Heights as a site for the proposed branch library.
- A 20-year bond issue, in the amount of $235,000.00, was passed in 1949 with a 65% vote, for the erection of a branch library in University Heights.
- University Heights Branch Library at Cedar and Fenwick Roads in University Heights was opened. This was the fourth permanent building owned by the library, 13866 Cedar Road.
- The Board of Education took over the branch library housed in Cleveland Heights High School.
- The Board of Education took over the branch libraries housed in Monticello, Roosevelt and Roxboro Junior High Schools.
- Friends of the Cleveland Heights Public Library was incorporated.
- The University Heights Branch was remodeled and the Children’s Room was moved to the ground floor.
- The Noble Branch was expanded and the Reference Room was added.
- Survey of the library, “A Report on Library Service with Recommendations for the Cleveland Heights Public Library,” by William Chait, Consultant, Director of the Dayton and Montgomery County Public Library. The survey recommended a central Main Library.
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS-UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARY
1965 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003
- The name of the library was changed since the Board of Education had changed its name when it moved to new headquarters on Miramar Boulevard. Library name change made to conform to school district name.
- A 20-year bond issue, in the amount of $1,300,000.00, was passed with a 61% vote, for the development of Lee Branch as the Main Library.
- Standard Dewey Decimal book classification adopted.
- The Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library Staff Association was formed.
- Lee Branch closed to enable the building program to continue.
- New Main Library at 2345 Lee Road, opened in September with 56,000 square feet floor space and a collection capacity for 250,000 volumes.
- Sunday library service was pioneered; Main Library opened 1-5 p.m.
- A 1.2 mill operating levy passed with a 67.8% vote FOR the library.
- All four buildings open Sundays, 1-5 p.m.
- Main Library parking lot – increased parking spaces from 59 to 103.
- January – Sale of Coventry building completed. Coventry Village Library continued in leased area of south side of building.
- Joined Ohio College Library Center (OCLC).
- Cleveland Heights-University Heights League of Women Voters study of library system.
- Main Library second floor expanded for public service – total square feet increased to 64,000.
- Public access OCLC terminal installed at Main Library, one of two for public libraries in Ohio.
- Library Planning Committee, a group of 18 lay persons, appointed to study services and finances.
- A 1.7 mill operating levy (1.2 renewal plus .5 increase) placed on the ballot. Approved by 67.1% of the voters.
- Purchase of Coventry building completed.
- Signed agreement with Cleveland Public Library to provide an automated circulation system and online catalog with access to the collection of Cleveland Public Library.
- Circulation record of 1,021,644 items achieved.
- Coventry building renovation completed; library opened for expanded service; tenant leases signed.
- Main Library went online.
- Another circulation record achieved, 1,035,109 items.
- A 1.5 mill operating (replacement) levy placed on the ballot. Approved by 80.8% of the voters.
- University Heights Library went online.
- Intangibles Tax, major source of public library funding for fifty years, repealed effective January 1, 1986.
- Noble Neighborhood Library went online.
- Coventry Village Library went online.
- Cleveland Heights-University Heights system totally automated.
- Library and Local Government Support Fund (6.3% of personal State income tax) new source of public library funding.
- Library named one of 50 outstanding libraries in the United States by the University of Illinois Graduate School of Library Science.
- Friends of the Library celebrated 25th anniversary.
- Main Library refurbished.
- Successful levy campaign. A 3 mill operating levy passed by 70.4% of the voters.
- Retirement of Director Rachel Wayne Nelson.
- Appointment of Stephen Wood as Director.
- First juried competition for the Rachel Wayne Nelson Permanent Art Fund. “Cascade,” a wall hanging by Alberta Parkinson, a Cleveland Heights resident, was selected for the Main Library.
- University Heights Library refurbished for physically challenged.
- Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library celebrated 75th anniversary.
- Main Library parking lot resurfaced and parking spaces increased from 103 to 111, including five spaces for people with disabilities.
- Main Library Children’s Room refurbished.
- Largest one-day circulation, 6,262 items, occurred January 2.
- Third juried competition for the Rachel Wayne Nelson Permanent Art Fund (second resulted in no winner). “Open Book,” a sculpture by Marvin Smith, for the Main Library parking lot, was selected.
- Continuing 4-mill levy, with collection to begin in 1993, approved by 65.2% of the voters. The five-year operating levy, approved in 1988, was removed one year early.
- Instituted Strategic Management Program for Board and staff.
- Employee Audit conducted by Gortz and Associates.
- Certificate of Achievement issued by The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada and presented by Thomas Ferguson, Auditor of State, for the library’s first Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for fiscal year ending December 31, 1991.
- Main Library remodeling of Business Office and first floor rest rooms and construction of Children’s Room office and Circulation Department office.
- Creation of Position Descriptions by Gortz and Associates, based on input from staff, supervisors and the Director.
- Revision of Personnel Policy into Personnel Policy Manual because of Americans With Disabilities Act and the Family Leave Act.
- Printed date due slips replaced date due stickers.
- Telephone renewals began.
- Installation of exterior lighting at Coventry Village Library due to efforts of Coventry Village Redevelopment Corporation and fixture and design gifts from General Electric.
- Development of Computer Center at Main Library expected to open February, 1995.
- Noble Neighborhood Library remodeling project begun with an estimated completion date of March, 1995.
- Replacement of original front steps at Coventry Village Library.
- Salary Survey conducted by Gortz and Associates.
- Anne Bauer Staff Development Fund established by Larry Bauer in memory of his mother.
- Main Library drive-up book return project began at south end of building.
- Established Guidelines for Fines and Charges.
- Upgrade of telephone system including new equipment and portable phones at the branches.
- Public sale of old furniture and equipment.
- Opening of Computer Center at the Main Library.
- Noble Neighborhood Library remodeling project completed.
- Coventry Village Library remodeling project begun.
- Main Library parking lot reconfigured and resurfaced.
- Main Library lighting retrofitting project completed.
- Main Library chosen as one of twenty libraries in the United States to exhibit “A More Perfect Union: Japanese Americans and the U.S. Constitution”, on loan from the Smithsonian Institution.
- Coventry Village Library remodeling project completed.
- Main Library Adult Services Department enlarged.
- Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer Authority three-year inteceptor sewer project begun on Coventry Village Library grounds.
- Development of library’s Internet home page.
- Purchased two houses adjacent to Noble Neighborhood Library for parking lot project.
- Commissioned art work installed at Coventry Village Library and Noble Neighborhood Library.
- Parking lot completed at Noble Neighborhood Library.
- University Heights Library remodeling project completed.
- Salary Survey and Compensation Analysis conducted.
- Developed Mission, Values and Vision statements.
- Telephone survey conducted.
- Coventry Village Library recipient of Community Vision Award from Heights Community Congress for deaf awareness program.
- Main Library Space Utilization Study conducted.
- Telephone upgrade for year 2000 compliance.
- First annual Cain Park Library Festival held as climax to Summer Reading Program; over 1,000 persons attended.
- Harry Parkman Memorial Fund established to purchase electronic databases services.
- Library is recipient of over $400,000 from estate of Larry Bauer for the Anne Bauer Staff Development Fund.
- Library Director Stephen D. Wood selected as the Ohio Library Council’s Librarian of the year.
- Fourth juried competition for Rachel Wayne Nelson Art Fund (second resulted in no winner). “Faux Landscape,” a mixed media piece by Penny Rakoff, for the University Heights Library, was selected.
- Noble Neighborhood Library selected by City of Cleveland Heights for Community Improvement Award.
- Maureen Sullivan selected as Strategic Planning consultant.
- Telephone survey conducted by Terry Casey.
- Ranking of 8th in the country among libraries of similar size by Hennen American Public Library Rating Index.
- Purchase of property adjacent to University Heights Library for construction of parking lot.
- Tuition Reimbursement Program for library employees developed that will be funded by the Bauer Staff Development Fund.
- Direct deposit of paychecks mandatory for library employees.
- Paycheck frequency changed from 24 to 26 per year.
- 1.9 mill levy, with collection to begin in 2001, approved by 70.3% of the voters.
- Recipient of OhioReads grant to promote reading and literacy among children.
- Winner of $1,000 in promotion by 3M of their self-charge system.
- Purchase of property adjacent to property purchased in 1999 for construction of a larger parking lot at University Heights Library.
- Purchase of property formerly known as the Heights Y located across Lee Road from the Main Library and renamed Heights Library Activity Center.
- Strategic Plan 2000 accepted by the Board of Trustees.
- Special telephone survey conducted by Terry Casey to determine community’s interest in and support of uses for the Heights Library Activity Center.
- Dobama Theatre selected to share space in the Heights Library Activity Center.
- Ranking of 7th in the nation among libraries of similar size by Hennen American Public Library Rating Index. (We were ranked 8th in 1999.)
- Rocket e-Books launched.
- Website named “Library Spot of the Month” by LibrarySpot.com, a free virtual library resource center for educators, students and businesses.
- Asbestos removed from Main Library and Activity Center.
- Welcome Packet for new library card registrants created by the Public Relations office.
- GetAnAnswer.org, e-mail reference service, introduced.
- Tribute Book Fund established.
- Library and Local Government Support Fund frozen at 2000 level.
- Gates Foundation Grant received to provide computer equipment to Coventry.
- Library Service and Technology Act Grant received for Mother Goose Asks Why project to target low-income families with young children.
- Salary and Benefits Survey conducted.
- KnowItNow, live web reference service, launched.
- Saturday deliveries to the branches began.
- Operating Agreement with Dobama Theatre signed.
- Web site won the “Libby Award” from libraryplace.com.
- Drew Carey Grant received to train teens to review alternative media for library purchase.
- Heights Arts Collaborative selected to share space in Activity Center.
- $9.5 million Bond Issue, approved by voters by 72%, won in every one of the 76 precincts in Cleveland Heights, University Heights and South Euclid.
- Contracted with fundraising consultant for capital campaign.
- KnowItNow won first ever Award for Innovation from the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN).
- Secret Shopper Program conducted.
- Society for the Deaf grant awarded to Coventry Village Library to support a series of professionally taught sign language classes.
- Mission Statement, revised to better reflect the current purpose of the library, is now: The Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library – a vital and dynamic community resource that promotes lifelong learning.
- Main Library renovation project stalled because the exterior design could not receive approval from the Cleveland Heights Architectural Board of Review. In December, architect Paul Ricciuti of Ricciuti Balog and Partners, Youngstown, was hired as the library’s design consultant.
- Participated with other CAMLS’ members in the first year of North Coast Neighbors Share a Book with community residents all reading Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird.
- Comprehensive orientation program developed for all new staff.
- Complete review/revision of all position descriptions and salary survey took place.
- Began reimbursing staff for up to $100 of their membership fees in professional organizations.
- Began offering staff and their spouses free flu shots through the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.
- Support from the state’s Library and Local Government Support Fund (LLGSF) decreased due to the poor economy.
- The library was rated 10th among libraries our size nationwide according to the Hennen American Public Library Rating index.
- Introduced circulating MP3 players to the community, one of the first libraries in the state to do so.
- Installed productivity software (Microsoft Word, Excel,, etc.) on all public service PCs throughout the system.
- Developed a new Web site specifically for teens.
- Created a true “Teen Area” at the Main Library in anticipation of a much larger space that will come through renovation.
- Human Resources Coordinator Beverly Costanzo passed away in November.
- Deputy Director Susan Matisoff passed away in February.
- Received final approval for the Main Library renovation design from the Cleveland Heights Architectural Board of Review; received air rights for both the walkway and the decorative arches from the Cleveland Heights City Council; received approval from the City’s Planning Commission.
- Approval of the Main Library renovation project denied by the City’s Board of Zoning Appeals. This decision was appealed to the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, and a settlement was reached with the City giving us all necessary permissions to move ahead with the renovation project.
- Deputy Director Catherine Hakala-Ausperk hired in June.
- Received an LSTA grant to create, in partnership with the Heights Parent Center, the “Little Heights” play and learn center.
- Replaced air conditioning system at Noble.
- Installed an upgraded telephone system.
- Parental Leave policy written to replace old maternity/paternity policy.
- Staffing time bank reduced by 104 hours each week through elimination of positions of Branch Custodian, Printing Clerk and an Adult Services Clerk.
- “Library and Local Government Support Fund” income continues to decrease because of the 2004-2005 biennium budget bill froze the LLGSF at 2002 levels.
- Expenditures for the library’s materials collection reduced by 7% because of reduced income. Staff is more careful in their selection.
- The Hennen American Public Library Rating index came out and the library moved from tenth to ninth among libraries our size nationwide.
- For the 12th year in a row, the library’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report received a Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. We are one of only four libraries in the state that produce a CAFR for their community.
- Reached two million in circulation on December 30!
