New Board Members At Heights Libraries

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — The Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library has a new board president and two new board members. Terms for the new members will begin January 2018.

The library's new board president is Abby Botnick, who replaces the departing Ron Holland. Botnick was previously vice president of the board. Holland had served his full seven year term.

Vikas Turakhia and Dana Fluellen are the new board members. Turakhia will replace Holland. He has been a high school English teacher for nearly two decades and currently works for Orange High School. He has lived in Cleveland Heights for nearly four years.

“I want to be an advocate for Heights Libraries,” he says. ”This goes beyond my interest as a frequent library patron and the father of two children who benefit from the library. I want to do all that I can to ensure that public libraries continue to be a gateway for the public, broadening knowledge, providing new experiences, and functioning as a societal unifier and equalizer.”

Fluellen has been a resident of Cleveland Heights for more than four decades and currently works in child care administration and as a volunteer for the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District.

“I have been a dedicated library patron my whole life,” says Fluellen. “I am in awe of its resources and would like all citizens to be aware of them and use them.” She continues, “I have worked with children and parents most of my adult life, and I want to encourage them to get involved at the library.”

Fluellen will serve a partial board term of four years to replace Susan Beatty, who stepped down from the board after three years of service when she moved to Lakewood this year.

PHOTO CAPTION: Director Nancy Levin gives outgoing Board President Ron Holland a parting gift for his years of service, a framed photo of the newly renovated University Heights branch and a copy of his speech from the building’s grand opening. Photo from CHUH Library System