Library Director, Steve Wood

Stephen D. Wood, director of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library since 1988, will retire effective August 31, 2008. A nationwide search will be conducted for his replacement.

Wood joined the staff in 1977 as supervisor of adult services. He planned and implemented the Heights Library’s successful on-line connection to the Cleveland Public Library’s new automated system, known today as CLEVNET. The Heights Library was the first system to join CLEVNET, which has 31 member libraries today. Currently, Wood serves on CLEVNET’s directors’ panel.

In 1980, Wood was promoted to deputy director of the Heights Library System and served in that capacity until 1988, when then-Director Rachel Wayne Nelson retired. Wood was named director.

Wood served as President of the Ohio Library Association (now Ohio Library Council) from 1990-91. He chaired the Association’s Library Development Committee from 1986-88 and was named Librarian of the Year in 1998 by that organization. The award recognizes distinguished service to the profession, innovative leadership in the development of libraries and improvement of library service. Presently, he serves on the Council’s Government Relations Committee.

Wood also served on the Cleveland Area Metropolitan Library System (CAMLS) Pilot Delivery Study Task Force, its Automated Circulation Task Force, Interlibrary Loan Policy Task Force and Strategic Planning Committee. CAMLS was absorbed into the North East Ohio Regional Library System where Wood serves on its Board of Directors.

A former Visiting Professor at Kent State University Graduate School of Library and Information Science, Wood has been active in its Alumni and Friends Council and has consulted with libraries throughout the nation on their changeover to automation.

In 1995, Wood was one of the founding members of the Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN), which provides telecommunications and electronic databases to all 251 public libraries in the state. Wood served on OPLIN’s board from its inception through May 1999. In addition, Wood served on the Cleveland Heights Visioning Committee and its Advisory Council for 211/First Call for Help, a United Way agency.

Wood holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Millersville University and earned his Master of Library and Information Science degree from Drexel University. He has published many articles on library management.

“This library is blessed with a great staff. I take my hat off to them,” Wood said. “It has been a wonderful ride and I’m privileged to have served this wonderful and supportive community.”

Judithe Soppel is public relations coordinator for the CH-UH Public Library.