Overview

Heights Libraries began its mission to serve the community in 1916. We have grown and expanded significantly in the intervening years, but our founding ideals of providing outstanding library services, staff, and facilities has not changed.

Our customer’s needs are our first priority. Our goal is to anticipate and fulfill those needs to provide our customers with a unique and rewarding library experience. We strive to be a community gathering place and provide an environment where all are welcome. Please visit any of our four branches and experience being a part of this vibrant and diverse community.

History

Read a brief history of the Heights Libraries on our Chronology page.

Learn about the Heights Libraries Centennial and see our Centennial Timeline.

Find more Heights Libraries history with our online archive at the Ohio Memory Project Website. Find photos, newspaper articles, meeting minutes and more stretching back to 1916, including the first minutes of the library’s board meetings.

Our Mission

The mission of the Cleveland Heights – University Heights Libraries is to:

Provide free access to services and facilities for all ages
Maintain safe, welcoming spaces and digital environment
Offer expert information and research assistance
Maintain and lend outstanding and balanced collections and materials
Focus on programs and services that transform people’s lives
Deliver high quality outreach services where they are needed

Our Vision

The Cleveland Heights – University Heights Libraries are the progressive and adaptive center of the community, connecting people to each other, to their neighborhoods, and to the world.

Our Values

We place great value in:

Service for All
Ensure that our libraries remain free and accessible. Champion digital and print literacy, intellectual freedom, and privacy. Respond to the needs and wants of our customers by leading with a culture of acceptance, equity, inclusion, and respect for all.
Supporting Community Aspirations
Cultivate and support programs that encourage safe and economically thriving neighborhoods. Foster a climate of innovation inside and outside our walls.
Responsible Stewardship
Implement effective management practices that incorporate integrity, diversity, and ethics in the workplace. Share organizational decision making and responsibility. Communicate effectively internally and externally.

Library Governance

The library and its policies are governed by a seven-member Library Board and a Board-appointed Director and Fiscal Officer. The Fiscal Officer serves as the Clerk-Treasurer and oversees the library’s financial affairs.

Our Commitment to Privacy

Protecting your privacy is very important to the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library. This privacy notice explains the steps we have taken and what your choices are in this effort. We make this notice easy to find on our homepage and everywhere we request information from you.

Strategic Plan

View more detailed information about our strategic plan here.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Plan, 2021-2024

In 2020, the Cleveland Heights- University Heights Library leadership enlisted the support of Compass Consulting Services, LLC (Compass) to help them understand the current state of diversity, equity and inclusion based on input from the experiences of staff, board members and community partners.
View our detailed DEI plan here.

Library Finances

2013 Community Survey & 2012 Demographic Study

In February 2013, the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library contracted with the Community Research Institute at Baldwin Wallace University to conduct a combined survey of Cleveland Heights and University Heights residents, library customers and non-customers alike. The community survey was the follow-up to a large community demographic study conducted by Heights Libraries in 2012. Learn more.