From Nov. 1 through Nov. 21, you can wipe away your fines and help people in your community at the Heights Libraries. All four library locations will be participating in a food drive aiming to help those in the community in a time of need.

Here’s how it will work: Customers receive $1 off their fines for each non-perishable food item or paper good donated to the library. This offer applies only to current fines. Fines will not be removed for any lost or damaged items.

All board members present.

Maureen Weisblatt retires

In honor of Weisblatt’s retirement as branch manager of the University Heights Library, Library Board President Gerald Blake read a resolution honoring her 30 years of service. Weisblatt commented that when she and her spouse moved from New Jersey upon his taking a new job in the Cleveland area, she accepted the position at University Heights intending to stay only a short time. Thirty years later it was time to retire.

For information on what’s going on at the Heights Libraries, check out our website, www.heightslibrary.org or stop in to any one of our four libraries to pick up a copy of Check Us Out! Here is a recap of all the news going on at the Heights Libraries...

Don't miss out on these exciting Heights Libraries' Programs:

Coventry Village Library
1925 Coventry Road 216-321-3400
Sci-Fi Book Club: Thursday, November 6, 6:30 p.m.
Super Secret Surprise Program: Monday, November 10, 7 p.m.
Step out of Time: Thursday, November 13, 7 p.m.
NIA Coffeehouse: Tuesday, November 18, 6 p.m.
Deaf Gatherings: Mondays, November 17 & 24, 6:30 p.m.

If you are a Twilight fan, you know what I am talking about! In August, fans enjoyed Breaking Dawn, the fourth and final book of Stephenie Meyer’s popular vampire romance series.

Some fun facts about Stephenie Meyer: You might be surprised to know she is a Mormon housewife. She admits she is too squeamish to sit through gory vampire movies. One night, she had a vivid dream about a vampire and a human girl in a forest. They were in love, but the boy was drawn to her blood like a siren song. This scene later became chapter 13 in her first book, Twilight. New Moon and Eclipse followed in rapid succession, turning Meyer into a bestselling author.

You don’t have to be 18 to participate in this election. In fact, this one at the Noble Neighborhood Library, “Vote For Duck,’ inspired by the book, Duck for President, is a mock election geared to the ‘under 18’ crowd.

All board members present

Automatic doors for walkway

The board approved expenditures to install automatic openers on the doors of the Heights Arts area and the walkway.

Don’t miss out on these exciting programs:

Join us for our first Tech Expo on Saturday, November 1, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. at the Lee Road Library. You will get the opportunity to interact with some of the most innovative technologies from organizations all over Northeast Ohio including demonstrations from the Bio-robotics Lab at Case Western Reserve, super cars by R/T Auto Evolutions and the latest gear from stores like H.H. Greg, Best Buy, and lots more.

Don't miss out on these exciting programs:

Coventry Village Library
1925 Coventry Road 216-321-3400
Teen Sci-Fi Book Club: Thursday, September 4, 6:30 p.m.
Explorastory: Fridays, September 5 - 26, 10 a.m.
Step out of Time: Thursday, September 11, 7 p.m.
Library Board Meeting: Monday, September 15, 7 p.m.

On September 15, the Coventry Village Library (located at 1925 Coventry Road) will have a new addition to its Local Authors collection. This new collaborative journal is a book-in-progress.  It started with a blank book handmade by Cleveland Heights book binder, Ellie Strong. Then several local artists and writers decorated a few pages with images and words. It is now available for anyone to add to it with words, drawings, or collages. Check it out at the Coventry Village Library, take it home, give it a creative good time, and return it within 14 days. Check it out later to see how it has grown!

Tonya Gibson is an employee of the Heights Libraries who enjoys writing and photography in her free time.

Edward or Jacob? If you are a Twilight fan you know what I am talking about! On August 2nd fans were able to pick up Breaking Dawn, the fourth and final book of Stephenie Meyer’s vampire romance series. As I write this, I am on page 391, just halfway finished. I cannot wait to find out what happens between Bella, Edward and Jacob.

AT&T box

The board granted AT&T a perpetual easement for a cabinet on the grounds of the University Heights Library. Library Director Stephen Wood remarked that granting the easement would give the board more leverage in deciding where the cabinet went.

“Slow down, you move too fast. Gotta make the moment last…” those lyrics certainly never pertained to Steve Wood during his tenure as director of the CH-UH Public Library. But, starting August 31, 2008, when his retirement becomes official, they will.

The public is invited to an appreciation reception honoring him on his retirement. The event will take place on Sunday, August 17, from 2:30-4:30 p.m. A brief program is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

Last spring, Joan Freeze, a fiction and biography reader, walked by a book display featuring spring and sports materials on the second floor of the Lee Road Library. Among the books was the autobiography Just Let Me Play: The Story of Charlie Sifford, the First Black PGA Golfer.

Don't miss out on these exciting Heights Libraries Programs:

Coventry Village Library
1925 Coventry Road
321.3400
NIA Coffeehouse Open Mic: Tuesdays, August 5 & 19, 6 p.m.
Black Deaf Advocates: Saturday, August 9, 1 p.m.
Story Stop: Fridays, August 15 - 29, 10 a.m.
Deaf Gatherings: Monday, August 25, 6 p.m.

(All Board members present)

Rationale for collabortions

The board discussed the rationale for collaborations that guided it during the planning of the Lee Road library renovation. The contract with Dobama was part of that process. Since Esther Moss was the only member still on the board when the rationale was developed, the board felt this was a good time to revisit the issue. The operations committee will discuss it prior to the July meeting and make recommendations at that meeting.

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Summer is here and that means picnics, vacations and more daylight for reading. Kids can start the summer off right by taking part in Catch the Reading Bug, this year’s summer reading program. Kids receive a prize just for signing up. Registered summer readers can make tracks to the library weekly for fun, exploration, stickers and chances to win prizes.

Coventry Village Library
1925 Coventry Road 216.321.3400

You Gotta See This Animation Celebration
Thursdays, June 12 - July 17, 2:00 p.m.

Editor’s Note: Noble Library’s Branch Manager, JoAnn Vicarel reviews mysteries for literally thousands of librarians across the US. Many of these libraries use her critiques to select titles to add to their collection. If you are a mystery lover, we recommend stopping at the Noble Library to see what a great collection JoAnn has created.

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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.

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.

Don't miss out on these exciting Heights Libraries Programs: