Middleburg Heights Library Reveals Plan For New Branch

The Cuyahoga County Public Library will open the bidding process for design and construction of a new Middleburg Heights branch, it announced Wednesday. The plan would include closing the existing branch in preparation of the new one.

The decision was reached when the library’s Board of Trustees met to give final approval. Rather than simply renovate the existing building, it was decided that a new facility would better service the needs of the project according to CCPL Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications Robert Rua.

“We know the current building can’t support some of the stuff we need to provide,” Rua said. He followed up in an email that said “the new branch will feature enhanced services, energy efficient mechanical systems, and technology access that the current building simply cannot support. The new branch will also utilize an open, flexible floor plan that will reduce operating costs and enable the building to more easily adapt as community needs change over time.”

Middleburg Heights Mayor Gary Starr has long expressed a desire to work on a new branch for the community, though no actual planning began until about six months ago according to Rua.

"Modern libraries in this digital age are even more important than ever before," Starr said in the release. "They are the cornerstone of a healthy community. Our new Middleburg Heights 21st century library will be a lifeline to the world and all the information in it."

The library will hold public community forums to iron out details of what the new building will be able to provide, with adult education and technology training expected to be frontrunning desired services based on prior community engagement.