Willoughby Hills Branch Library

History:

In the 1980's, the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library saw the need to provide library services in the growing community of Willoughby Hills. Library representatives met with community leaders to open the library in the Garfield School, located at River Road and Rte. 6. The Garfield Station opened in 1985, with Mary Parsons as librarian. Annette Gentile succeeded her. The staff consisted of the librarian, an assistant librarian, and a page. When the Library embarked on an expansion program in the early 1990's, plans were developed for a new Willoughby Hills station to be built in conjunction with a new Community Center. Unfortunately, the city could not commit to a community center at that time and the plans were put on hold. Following the death of Mrs. Gentile in 1994, the Library re-evaluated service at the Garfield School location. Declining use, accessibility problems, and increased operating costs made it economically unfeasible to keep this facility open. At the end of the year, the Garfield Station closed, and the residents turned to other libraries in the area for service. In 1999, the taxpayers approved an operating levy for the library system. The Library committed to set aside Willoughby Hills' portion of the levy money to provide future library service to the community. In 2002, the city of Willoughby Hills approached the library with plans to go forward with the community center project, and invited the Library to participate in this project. An agreement was reached with the city, and in October of 2002, ground was broken for the new library and community center. Holly Carroll, the library director, envisioned the Willoughby Hills Library to be innovative; offering unique services for the residents of the community. The Willoughby Hills Station Library opened on October 4, 2003.