Susan Black Retires After Nearly 34 Years With Heights Libraries

Susan Black dedicated nearly 34 years to the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library.

The youth services manager retired in July and said she was grateful for the opportunity to work with the Heights Libraries.

“I learned something new every day from my co-workers and my customers. I will miss everyone,” Black said in a press release. “But I am looking forward to travel, adventures and family time in my retirement.”

Black began her career with Heights Libraries in 1978, when she became the children’s services librarian for the branch.

“Since then, she has helped the community raise a generation of babies by introducing them to the power of language and reading through her inspiring story times and programs at preschools,” Heights Libraries wrote.

Much has changed since she started — she’s supported the implementation of the computerized catalogue system and automated checkout. And she’s seen vinyl records replaced by CDs and the popularity of eBooks increase.

Black was promoted to youth services manager in March 2011. Brian C. Hare will take over for her this month.

“The word ‘no’ was never in Susan’s vocabulary,” said Heights Libraries Director Nancy Levin in the press release. “When it came to customer service such as helping seniors with their mail or taking time to just listen to customers, Susan was always ready and willing to do whatever it took to make sure customers got what they needed."

Hare most recently was director of the Liberty Center Public Library in Liberty Center, OH, and has six years of library experience. He received his master of library and information science from the University of Pittsburgh.

He also has experience working with youth — he was a teen specialist with the Wood County District Public Library in Bowling Green, where he received his bachelor’s in visual communications technology.

Hare said he looks forward to his new role.

“It’s clear that the library’s services very clearly reflect the interests and values of its patrons,” he said. “I think technology will continue play an ever-increasing role in our communities, and we need to figure out how it can be integrated into what we do with youth and young adults.”