{"id":497,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-03-04 21:32:00","latitude":41.52553480000000263316906057298183441162109375,"longitude":-81.539771599999994577956385910511016845703125,"title":"Noble Library","subtitle":null,"fullsize":"https://clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/d13c4a7dda5453d45a94bff1580ec06e.jpg","address":"2800 Noble Rd, Cleveland Heights, OH 44121","zoom":15,"creator":["Mazie Adams"],"description":""If you've ever tried to find a cookbook at the Noble library and couldn't, I think we know why," said a Cleveland Heights police spokesman following the 1984 arrest of an unemployed insurance salesman. They nabbed the man, who spent at least eight hours a day at the Noble Library, who generally stole two books, two magazines, and two pamphlets each time. Following a tip, the cops found almost 4,000 library books stashed all over the man's house. When asked why he had not simply checked out the books, the man replied: "I never got a library card."
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\r\nUnlike the book thief, thousands of patrons have used their library cards at the Noble branch of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library for nearly a century. The first libraries in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights system were installed in or very near school property. The first branch on Noble Road was housed in a small portable building erected in 1923 on the grounds of Noble Elementary School. After just two years, this first building was replaced with a larger portable building specifically designed for library use. It opened on May 9, 1925.
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\r\nIn 1937, the Cleveland Heights-University Heights system built its third permanent building at 2800 Noble Road, just across the street from the old location. The new Noble library building was designed in the Georgian style by noted Cleveland architects Frank Walker and Harry Weeks and cost about $57,000 to construct. The building was expanded in 1963 and renovated in 1994 and 2011.
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\r\nOver the years the library has hosted reading programs, costume parties, magic shows, children's craft workshops, senior programs, musical performances, and a host of other community events. It continues to be a vital anchor in the Noble neighborhood.","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"","lede":null,"website":"heightslibrary.org/locations/noble-neighborhood/","related_resources":[],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/d13c4a7dda5453d45a94bff1580ec06e.jpg":{"id":5225,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Parade Banner, 1985","description":"Noble Library supporters proudly carried this banner in the Cleveland Heights Memorial Day Parade.
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\r\nImage courtesy of Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library","thumbnail":"https://clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/d13c4a7dda5453d45a94bff1580ec06e.jpg"},"https://clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/567867287fd29876bab7e1877bf945f7.jpg":{"id":5266,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Noble Library, 1925","description":"The second portable building for the Noble Library was designed specifically for library use.
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\r\nImage courtesy of Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library","thumbnail":"https://clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/567867287fd29876bab7e1877bf945f7.jpg"},"https://clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/33e8508de91343648cb3cc94ee5dcb3c.jpg":{"id":5219,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Noble Library, 1966","description":"The current library building was built in the Georgian style in 1937 and expanded in the 1960s.
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\r\nImage courtesy of Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library","thumbnail":"https://clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/33e8508de91343648cb3cc94ee5dcb3c.jpg"},"https://clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/ec92be585c45f3caacc5d78b84e14e4b.jpg":{"id":5220,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Castle Model, 1963","description":"These unidentified librarians pose with an elaborate castle model in Noble Library. Do you know the story behind the model?
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\r\nImage courtesy of Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library","thumbnail":"https://clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/ec92be585c45f3caacc5d78b84e14e4b.jpg"},"https://clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/799a00fbac89961a1e17600eb2a1c162.jpg":{"id":5217,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Book Sale Poster, 1967","description":"Book sales are popular fundraising events at libraries, and Noble Library is no exception.
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\r\nImage courtesy of Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library","thumbnail":"https://clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/799a00fbac89961a1e17600eb2a1c162.jpg"},"https://clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/b445c83108c108d017d2a666043e424a.jpg":{"id":5227,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Ventriloquist, 1973","description":"The camera distracts children at Noble Library from Mark Merickel's ventriloquist act.
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\r\nImage courtesy of Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library","thumbnail":"https://clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/b445c83108c108d017d2a666043e424a.jpg"},"https://clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/4c277905e10d89584561b9a5e38dc5eb.jpg":{"id":5222,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Craft Project, 1977","description":"These children appear to be making animal crafts at Noble Library.
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\r\nImage courtesy of Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library","thumbnail":"https://clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/4c277905e10d89584561b9a5e38dc5eb.jpg"},"https://clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/34d216e9122d438d949c270af5f1d0dd.jpg":{"id":5223,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Jane Bossu with Children, 1983","description":"Jane Bossu reads with a group of kids during a summer reading program held at Noble Library.
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\r\nImage courtesy of Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library","thumbnail":"https://clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/34d216e9122d438d949c270af5f1d0dd.jpg"},"https://clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/b1d866eb9dd8e77e8da6aaa02956f6db.jpg":{"id":5224,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Black History Month Quilt, 1985","description":"This quilt was part of a display of quilts with African American cultural themes at Noble Library during Black History Month. By 1985, Cleveland Heights had become a model of racial integration, with African Americans making up roughly one quarter of its population.
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\r\nImage courtesy of Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library","thumbnail":"https://clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/b1d866eb9dd8e77e8da6aaa02956f6db.jpg"},"https://clevelandhistorical.org/files/fullsize/c23dbdd14681e25b72bed800fab34218.jpg":{"id":5226,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Children's Room, 1994","description":"The Children's Room is shown here following the library's 1994 renovation.
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\r\nImage courtesy of Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library","thumbnail":"https://clevelandhistorical.org/files/square_thumbnails/c23dbdd14681e25b72bed800fab34218.jpg"},"https://clevelandhistorical.org/files/original/8276e430b1999a8a3f7f373c6f564fc5.mp3":{"id":5492,"mime-type":"audio/mpeg","title":""It Enfolded You"","description":"Barbara Wherley remembers the feel of the library with its old wood when she was a child. | Cleveland Regional Oral History Collection "}}}