CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY COLLINWOOD BRANCH IS BACK! Cleveland Public Library completes important branch repairs in time for the new year.

January 24, 2019 COLLINWOOD, OH – On Saturday, December 29, 2018, the Collinwood Branch of Cleveland Public Library reopened its doors and welcomed patrons back following a temporary closure for repair work. Coffee was served with a side of light refreshments as community members viewed the important maintenance work completed during the closure (see below for more details).

Many patrons noted the improvements along with County Councilwoman Yvonne Conwell, President of the Bond Accountability Commission-CMSD Don Brown, and members of National Congress of Black Women Greater Cleveland Chapter. An outreach representative from the Library’s longtime community partner, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, stopped in to say hello and bring fresh fruit for all to share.

“We are so pleased,” expressed Caroline Peak, Branch Manager at Collinwood. “The updates will help all of our patrons be more comfortable and help us better serve the Collinwood community.” The day was topped off with an interview by Manager, Caroline Peak with TV 5 to help spread the word on the re-opening

A larger grand reopening reception on Saturday, January 5 featured Ward 8 Cleveland City Councilman Michael Polensek; Ward 10 Cleveland City Councilman Anthony Hairston; County Councilwoman Cheryl Stephens; Harriette Parks, the Library’s Director of Branch Libraries; and Tana Peckham, the Library’s Chief Marketing & Communications Officer. During the reception, neighbors visited with one another while children were entertained with balloon sculptures. Mary Louise Dailey of Collinwood Reads and Elva Brodnick, Chair of the East 185 Block Association, provided free books and activities at the event.

Collinwood was the last of nine Cleveland Public Library branches to undergo important maintenance work in 2018, ending an initial stage of the Library’s branch revitalization project.

“This is just the beginning,” said Felton Thomas, Jr., Executive Director and CEO of Cleveland Public Library. “When the public renewed and increased our levy in 2017, they allowed us to reimagine our branch libraries and craft a vision to upgrade and improve our facilities. We are grateful for that support, and we look forward to sharing our vision for strong neighborhood libraries in the years to come.”

Collinwood Branch temporarily closed in late September 2018 to undergo vital repair work to keep the facility safe, sustainable, and accessible. Completed repairs include:

  • ADA accessibility updates
    • Restrooms
    • Signage
    • Stairs and handrails
    • Ramp
    • Moveable Circulation desk
  • Window and wall repair
  • Waterproofing
  • Parking lot repairs
  • HVAC upgrades
    • Boiler
    • Piping
    • Heaters
    • A/C

Upcoming events include: Executive Director Felton Thomas, Jr.’s State of the Library address on February 27 at 12:00 p.m. at the City Club of Cleveland, where he will outline not just the Library’s proud past, but its future.

About Cleveland Public Library

Founded in 1869, the Cleveland Public Library serves the residents of Cleveland through its network of 27 neighborhood branches, the Main Library downtown, Public Administration Library at City Hall, homebound delivery services, and mobile services to daycare and senior centers. From a collection of 10.5 million items, CPL lends over 5 million items a year to its 330,000 registered borrowers and to 43 other CLEVNET-member libraries in 12 counties across northeast Ohio. Cleveland Public Library is home to the Ohio Center for the Book and the Ohio Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled, serving all 88 counties in the state of Ohio. For more information, visit www.cpl.org.

In 2019, Cleveland Public Library will celebrate its 150th anniversary as The People’s University, the center of learning for a diverse and inclusive community. A year-long series of events are planned to mark the Library’s 150 years of service to the city of Cleveland. All CPL 150 events will be free and open to the public, so that all Clevelanders may participate regardless of personal circumstances.

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Caroline Peak

Caroline J. Peak, known as “Ms. Peak” to many, is a resident of the Collinwood Community for 30 plus years serving as a committed community leader, engager, and volunteer. Ms. Peak is very passionate about improving the quality of life for citizens by giving back to her community. Ms. Peak serves as the Public Service Manager of the Collinwood Branch of Cleveland Public Library and is a Certified Librarian having earned a Master’s Degree from Kent State University. Ms. Peak also served as a True2U Mentor for 8th graders at Memorial School among her activities and engagement in neighborhood block associations, advisory committees, and civic engagement. She has participated in leadership programs, Neighborhood Leadership Institute and Neighborhood Leader Institute and Management Certification at Cleveland Public Library to support her service as an Executive Committee member of CHN Housing Partners, organizations that are devoted to the mission of improving the quality of life in neighborhoods. She was recently selected to serve on the Bond Accountability Commission as Secretary of the Cleveland Municipal School District and a member of the Health Impact Committee for United Way and a steering member of HIP--Cuyahoga --Health Improvement Partnership to help build healthy communities. She is the 2018 recipient of Resident of the Year for Ward 8-District 5 for the City of Cleveland.

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Volume 11, Issue 2, Posted 4:36 PM, 01.30.2019