K athy Rothenfeld is aware of how some people view libraries as dusty bore-a-toriums where the only sound above a whisper is the crack of a ruler from a mean old librarian. Since Rothenfeld isn’t living in a movie about the 1950s, she knows the truth – libraries are awesome! quiet reading space, but music is a big deal at the Beachwood branch. A Mother’s Day concert has become an annual tradition. In October, the library will welcome the Dan Zola Orchestra, a 19-piece big band steeped in the sounds of famous swing acts. Try reading Proust over that! Realizing that the works of Glenn Miller won’t bring in droves of teenagers, Rothenfeld and the rest of the 11-member Friends’ board are busy creating programs for young people. Talent contests and games are aimed squarely at teens. A scholarship contest, meanwhile, is open to graduating Beachwood High School seniors. Students are asked to write essays about their favorite library memories, with the winner receiving $1,000. For younger children, there are puppet shows and art projects. “The library isn’t some stuffy old place anymore,” says Rothenfeld. “There are a lot of great things happening here.” Rothenfeld first joined Friends when current board member Betty Barson asked her to help with a book sale. The group itself was formed in 1982, the same year that the library opened. Friends’ dual fervor for both reading and the city of Beachwood has made the library a special place to learn and grow, notes the organization president. The Beachwood library is one of the most heavily trafficked branches in the system, far afield from the small-town library Rothenfeld The Beachwood Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library holds a particular place of reverence in Rothenfeld’s heart. Over the last four years, she has been president of Friends of the Beachwood Library, a volunteer group that sponsors activities at the newly remodeled facility at the corner of Richmond Road and Shaker Boulevard. Rothenfeld has been a member of the organization since 1998, so there’s no need to convince her that the modern-day library is a super cool knowledge depository where learning lives in concert with varied and interesting programming. Her goal is to reach out to members of the community and convince them of what she’s been privy to for years. After all, that’s what Friends are for, says Rothenfeld. “There are some older people who haven’t been inside a library since high school,” she says. “Our job is to draw them in.” Fun programs are a way to accomplish just that, Rothenfeld believes. Throughout the year, the library hosts book discussions, cooking classes, art shows, play readings, SAT preparation programs and more. Bestselling authors Rick Steves, Daniel Silva and Chris Bohjalian have come around to meet fans, while the facility has sponsored book launches for local writers, including Sam Thomas and Shelley Costa. It may seem antithetical to old school types who are used to a frequented during her childhood in Iowa. Instead of simply picking up a book and leaving the premises, as Rothenfeld did years ago, libraries like Beachwood’s have become a destination. Though popularity is wonderful, a shrinking county and state budget have compelled the group to raise money through book sales and an annual membership drive. Funding is used for programs, classes and author visits, as well as to improve the ambiance of the facility. One of the library’s newest addition is ten custom-made book bins, created by Cleveland artist Hector Vega. An outdoor reading garden with rocking chairs, sculptures and plantings is another enhancement spearheaded by group members. A decade ago, such hands-on involvement was not necessary, says Rothenfeld. Adding more programming funded by the fruits of their labors is a challenge the organization is excited to meet. To this end, Rothenfeld lauds the support of an enthusiastic library staff and a community that’s always offering books, DVDs and time to ensure the library’s steady flow of happy patrons. An active board that’s willing to entertain fresh ideas has been a bonus for the suburb’s book-hungry populace. “We never want the library or the community to suffer,” Rothenfeld says. “It’s been rewarding because we’re making a much bigger difference than just a few changes here and there. It’s an honor to work with such a fantastic group of people who love the library and all it represents.” Board member Hedy Westra is in charge of the ongoing book sale, and spends about two hours every day sorting the shelves. Through her years with the Friends, Westra has witnessed the facility’s evolving into a place where theatrical productions and musical programs are as appreciated as much as the latest summer sizzler. “Libraries today are not just about books,” she says. “I’m proud to help make Beachwood Library an even greater place for the community.” The book sale brings in over $1,000 each month. Board secretary Lynn Katz Danzig, who handles publicity for the sale and other events, visits the library to print documents or pick up a book on travel if she’s planning a trip. Two decades as a volunteer has also brought her closer to library staff. “I love being able to talk to the employees as people, not just as faces behind a desk,” Danzig says. For Rothenfeld, a library acts as both a communal hang out and a treasure trove of entertainment and information. Even the small library of Rothenfeld’s formative years holds fond memories of escape into strange new worlds. That early introduction into reading translated easily into adulthood, and whether kicking back with the latest Neslon Demille thriller or learning a new arts-andcrafts skill, the long-time library volunteer always makes sure to have a book handy. As reading was hardwired into Rothenfeld’s brain at a young age, she would like nothing more than to pass on that passion to the next generation. With modern libraries’ being a more welcoming place than the creaky book mausoleums of yesteryear, she is nothing, if not encouraged. “If you get kids to love reading when they’re young, you’ll foster a lifelong love of learning,” says Rothenfeld. “That will be something they never lose.” Supporting the By Douglas J. Guth 6 Beachwood Buzz n August 2014 BEACHWOOD LIBRARY is what ‘Friends’ are for