Reaching the community

From searching the stacks for that very first book and researching a term paper to story time with the kids, the public library holds special memories. But things have changed, right? Not so fast. The library remains an enduring presence and essential part of the community, maybe today more than ever before. 

The Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library is a school district library that serves seven communities in Lake County and includes the Willoughby, Eastlake, Willowick and Willoughby Hills branches, all operated out of the administrative offices now located in a newly renovated building in Willoughby. 

“We’re settling into a new space that allows us to offer much more to these communities,” director Eric Linderman says. “We have outdoor spaces for children’s programming and community space all to benefit the public.”

The Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library took ownership of the building in 2021 and has since been renovating this early--20th-century building. Serving as the offices of the first female physician in Lake County in the early 1900s, a children’s hospital, a bank, then another doctor’s office, the building has a storied history. 

“The building was thought to be haunted with stories of sightings of small children in the hallways and other phenomenon,” communications and outreach coordinator Michelle Hudson says. “Today, the building is home to the library’s administrative staff of 22 and so much more.”

The space also houses materials and processing, interlibrary loans and large meeting areas. Every book you see on the shelves of the four library locations arrives here first, is processed, and is then taken to its destination. 

 The building’s outdoor spaces include plans for a pollinator rain garden in partnership with Chagrin River Watershed Partners coming in 2026. 

“We’re always creating reasons for the public to use the library in ways they never have before,” Michelle says. “We’ll always have people coming in and taking out the physical book, but we also have many people utilizing our digital offerings. Storytime, summer reading programs, adult lectures on local history, book clubs, discussion groups and author visits are all vibrant programs at Willoughby-Eastlake, and more is happening all the time.”

Community outreach is also a priority. The library provides books for the Willoughby Senior Center, offers remote electronic resources for children and adults, and provides home delivery of books and materials.

“We will continue to provide services to the people of this community both here and at home,” Eric says. “Whether it’s educational software like ABC Mouse, reference services, group computer classes or any of our programming, we won’t leave anyone behind. And all services are free.”

The public library’s mission is to provide access to knowledge, support community well-being, and ensure that every person of every age has the opportunity to learn, connect and grow.

For information on winter programming and everything available at the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library and its locations, visit the website WE247.org.