Heights Libraries will restore hours to all branches in mid-May

Beginning in mid-May, Coventry Village Library will again be open on Fridays and Sundays.

Thanks to the passage of its operating levy in November 2014, Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library now has funding to reinstate Sunday hours at the Coventry Village and Noble Neighborhood libraries, and Friday hours at the Coventry Village Library.

Beginning Friday, May 15, the Coventry branch will reopen on Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., reinstating the Friday hours that were cut in January 2014. Beginning on Sunday, May 17, all branches will be open 1–5 p.m., reinstating the hours that were eliminated in 2009, when Ohio’s Public Library Fund was drastically cut by the state government.

“We are as delighted about this as we hope our customers are, because we know that, for many in our community, Sunday is a perfect library day,” said Nancy Levin, Heights Libraries director. “It’s a family day, a homework day, a leisure day, a day to pursue hobbies, a day to spend in contemplation, as well as a day of work. All of these activities can be made better by a trip to the library.”

Levin also is pleased the library will reopen the Coventry Village Library on Fridays. The branch was closed on Fridays in January 2014 because Heights Libraries decided to increase hours at the University Heights Library—the second most-heavily used of the four branches (behind the Lee Road Library), with the second highest circulation rates and second highest population of patrons living near, and using, the branch. In contrast, Fridays at the Coventry Village Library had the lowest circulation and visit rates in the system.

“We promised to study the results of the Friday closure and reexamine the cost and benefits after one year,” said Levin. “We were able to utilize the closed time on Fridays to make additional upgrades to the branch by improving accessibility and technology, improving children’s services, and ensuring the future success of Coventry.”

To cover the additional hours that the branches will be open, Heights Libraries has hired four full-time youth services librarians, anticipating that customer traffic on Sundays will include high numbers of families and children.

Sheryl Banks

Sheryl Banks is the marketing and community relations manager for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library.

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Volume 8, Issue 4, Posted 4:58 PM, 02.22.2015