Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) yesterday met with Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL) representatives and Parma Heights Mayor Michael Byrne and others to discuss opportunities to protect the local library in Parma Heights from operational cutbacks as well as to present alternatives for funding necessary library system improvements.

“I was pleased to facilitate a meeting between Parma Heights Mayor Byrne, Members of the city council and representatives from the library in response to growing concerns in the community over cuts to library hours.  My office made a presentation about the types of federal grants that are available and I will continue to support the efforts of the City of Parma Heights to maintain service at the present site in the municipal complex.  I am also committed to assisting the Cuyahoga County Public Library in their effort to maintain their high quality of service,” said Kucinich.

Kucinich met with CCPL Executive Director Sari Feldman, Deputy Director Tracy Strobel, Board of Trustee Members Robert Varley and Sanjiv Kapur, Councilwoman Gallo and Parma Heights Mayor Byrne, and members of Parma Heights City Council.

“Ohio’s libraries are crucial resources that encourage life-long learning, inspire people to action, and invite a better standard of living in communities all over the state.  Library buildings, too, can be an important part of a community’s municipal complex and cannot be disposed of because a public library system wants to make a unilateral decision.  Public libraries must answer to the people and the communities they serve. I stand in strong support of the libraries in Parma Heights and across our nation.

“Although the CCPL Board made decisions which could adversely affect the Parma Heights Branch in the municipal complex, there is now a dialogue between Mayor Byrne and the Board about efforts to save the library,” added Kucinich.  "That is a positive development which I hope will serve as the basis for an agreement which will take into consideration the needs of the people of Parma Heights," Kucinich concluded.

 

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