County Library In Talks to Move to Huntington Reservation, Citizen Responds

The Cuyahoga County Library Bay Village branch has been in talks with Cleveland MetroParks about moving its location to the Huntington Reservation according to Cleveland.com.

Discussion between the two parties occurred during a March 24 park board meeting. It was noted that anyone in attendance would probably be able to note it was too early to say anything for certain as reported by the website.

President of the American Library Association Sari Feldman acknowledged that the library moving was necessary, as it had outgrown its current location adjacent to a public school. She also agreed with sentiment that the library could benefit from working in concert with another community asset, as the nature of libraries in a community have evolved from simply booklending reported Cleveland.com.

While nothing has been official, the concept has already prompted public feedback. An April 7 letter to the editor for Cleveland.com written by Cleveland Heights resident Frances Mentch said that the idea of the library developing the reservation’s land was a mistake.

“If the the Metroparks commissioners say yes to the library how will they be able to say no to another equally deserving public project?” Mentch asked in the letter. “Citizens should remind the commissioners to base their decision on Metroparks' mission and vision statement.”

Mentch also suggested that, at the very least, the company should issue a county-wide survey to gather citizen input regarding the decision. Despite talks nothing has been made official and citizens will have to wait and see whether the reservation will become the library’s new location.

Mentch was accused in 2013 of assaulting Feldman according to Cleveland.com, pulling her hair after a library board meeting where Mentch opposed the board’s decision to sell the Telling Mansion — sounds like improper behavior for a library. She was found guilty but her conviction was later reversed.

She has suggested readers and concerned citizens contact the Metroparks commissioners by email or phone, and listed both at the bottom of her letter.

Patch placed calls to both and the Bay Village branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Libraries that have not been returned.