PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN

Saturday, June 17, 2023; Grand Opening of the reimagined Lorain Campus Library, 8216 Lorain Avenue: Tamara Steward, Director of the Lorain Campus of the Cleveland Public Library, welcomes guests to tour the newly renovated library.

The Cleveland Public Library celebrated the grand opening of its renovated Lorain Campus at 8216 Lorain Avenue on June 17, 2023 with food, balloons, speeches and a ribbon cutting.

     The library renovation includes new additional space on the west and rear of the original building. The interior has been completely redesigned. The Cleveland Public Library says newly renovated building includes: “flexible spaces with a new community room; a dedicated teen space and an expanded children’s area; a laptop bar and café space and a book locker for after-hours access to materials.”

     Cleveland Public Library Board President Maritza Rodriguez said the reimagining of the Lorain Campus was part of Cleveland Public Library’s Facilities Master Plan to revitalize its 27 branches. Rodriguez says the renovations were made possible when Cleveland voters passed a tax levy in 2017.

     Executive Director of the Cleveland Public Library Felton Thomas, Jr. noted that the Lorain Branch was one of the libraries initially built 1912 with funds provided by Andrew Carnegie. Executive Director Thomas said the Cleveland Public Library lobbied Carnegie heavily for funds to build libraries here. Thomas said that Carnegie told the Cleveland Public Library that he spent more money building libraries in Cleveland than any other city, including his beloved hometown of Pittsburg.

     State Senator Nickie Antonio and State Representative Michael Skindell were on hand to offer proclamations acknowledging the reopening of the library.

     Ward 15 Councilwoman Jenny Spencer spoke of how glad residents were that the library had reopened. She said residents greatly missed being able to use the local library during the time it was closed for renovation. The Lorain Branch closed for renovation on October 9, 2021.

     Director of the Lorain Campus Library Tamara Steward welcomed all the guests to enjoy the food provided and to tour the new facility. She said she was especially glad to see the children that attended the ceremony.

     Cleveland Public Library Executive Director Felton Thomas asked that the youngest children to do the honor of cutting the ribbon marking the grand opening of the Lorain Branch.

     The ceremony also included a blessing from Doug Horner, former pastor at St. Paul’s Community Church.

     The original 1912 Lorain Branch was designed by Architects Knox and Elliot. The 2023 renovation was designed by HBM Architects and Interior Designers. Regency Construction and the AKA team worked with HBM Architects to complete the reimagined library campus.