As a “bastion of free speech,” it is hard to think of anything a library finds more important than communication. That is certainly the view of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library, its staff and Board. And what could make better sense in this day and age than a local newspaper that has its genesis truly in the community.

When the library first heard of FutureHeights’ plans to create a community newspaper, modeled after the successful “Lakewood Observer,” we were thrilled to be a part of the planning process. We recognized that the time had come, especially in communities such as Cleveland Heights and University Heights where the citizenry is more involved than you find elsewhere, for local residents to take responsibility for their own news efforts, rather than leaving that entirely to the for-profit sector.

The “Heights Observer” gives all of us the opportunity to prepare our own stories about what we feel is important in our community. It also provides the opportunity to bring issues and programs to the awareness of our friends and neighbors in ways that cannot be found in commercial journals. This is our chance to bring to people’s attention those good things that are happening around us—that are important to all of us—but that wouldn’t be considered worthwhile for “selling” newspapers.

Because it is both online and, now, in print, it has an immediacy that isn’t found in other newspapers, even those coming out daily. But more importantly, the online version, with its various pieces-parts, gives us the opportunity to comment, discuss and debate the vital issues happening in our community. What power that gives us!

What is most interesting to contemplate is how the “Heights Observer” will grow and change over time. To be honest, we don’t know. Through the power of the Internet we see around us a movement away from hardcopy newspapers and the leaning toward information online. That is clearly a way for the “Heights Observer” to move—and it is prepared to do so. But are we “there” yet? We think not. We believe that, just as with libraries and their propensity for the written word in hard copy, the paper version of the “Heights Observer” will be with us for some years to come. How fun that will be!

Kevin Ortner, Member

Board of Library Trustees

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library

Steve Wood, Director

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library