Happy 62nd Birthday To The Parma Heights Library! Let's make It An Historical Landmark!

Nestled within Greenbrier Commons lies the Parma Heights Library. Parma Heights was the first municipality in Ohio to pass a bond issue specifically for the construction of a library. And in 1960, Parma Heights residents were the first to pass a $150,000 bond issue for the construction of the library building. This makes the Parma Heights library a significant part of the history of the State of Ohio. 62 years ago designed by architect John F. Lipaj, the building was a bold departure for Parma Heights, and that was part of its appeal. Very quickly the thought came to mind, oh, yes indeed, it is a library and a whole lot more.

Long forgotten by local officials is that this library opened on June 17, 1963 and now is considered by many a legacy building! The Parma Heights Library’s personality changes from area to area, reflecting all of the services, technologies and resources available. The Parma Heights Library has hosted authors, and hundreds of educational classes, reading programs, Kid's Cafe and other public events over the past 62 years. All free programs, some that attracted overflow crowds. 

But does this legacy building have to end?  The Parma Heights Library could become part History Center with your one-stop shop for information and resources about Parma Heights remarkable past.  The other half of the building could become a teen/senior center, a daily place of comfort and camaraderie, coffee and chairs to settle in for a chat with a friend, board games, offering art or exercise classes, getting help to do something as simple as change an address or as complicated as preparing taxes. This library needs to survive demolition and let the public continue to see the  treasure trove of details. This building reminds us that even little eyesores can be valuable for a community’s future.

From 62 years of dedicated library staff to the enthusiastic members, to the extraordinary volunteers, to the generous donor base to the thousands of people who benefit from the programs the Parma Heights Library provides and supports, the Parma Heights Library is exactly what the name implies--a collection of committed, caring individuals who share a common vision of a superior free public library accessible by all. Congratulations all around!!