Latest news with #CuyahogaCountyPublicLibrary
Axios
2 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Meet the new CEO of the Cuyahoga County Public Library
The Cuyahoga County Public Library board of trustees has named Jamar Rahming the organization's next CEO. Why it matters: Rahming will be the first African American to lead CCPL and arrives with national bona fides: He is the president-elect of the Public Library Association. "Rahming believes that well-managed, well-marketed libraries and fried chicken are the keys to a well-functioning democracy," his bio declares. Catch up quick: The Denver native currently serves as the executive director of the Wilmington Public Library in Delaware, and previously held leadership roles at library systems in Oregon, Texas and South Carolina. What they're saying: "His vision, skills and experience give the board full confidence that he will continue to strengthen our position as a world-class library system and provide strong leadership to achieve our mission and move the organization to new heights," board president Allyn Davies said in a statement. Between the lines: Rahming arrives after a contentious year at the library.
USA Today
14-05-2025
- USA Today
Man accused of burning 100 library books on Jewish, African American, LGBTQ+ topics
Man accused of burning 100 library books on Jewish, African American, LGBTQ+ topics An Ohio man has drawn widespread backlash after he reportedly checked out and then burned 100 books on Jewish history, African American history and LGBTQ+ education. The man took the books from the Beachwood branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL) in early April, only to later post a video of himself burning the books on social media, according to a May 2 police report viewed by USA TODAY. Democratic state Senator Kent Smith confirmed the subject matter of the books in a May 9 press release, saying, "I condemn this act, not only because it is a crime against our institutions and community, but also because it is fundamentally un-American." Local news sources, WKYC, Fox8 and 19 News, reported that the man had obtained a library card from the Beachwood Library on April 2 and promptly withdrew 50 books on Jewish, African American and LGBTQ+ topics. He returned on April 10 to check out 50 more, telling a librarian that his son was a member of the LGBTQ+ community and that he was looking to learn more, per local reports. Though the librarian reportedly found his behavior odd, he was not overly threatening, she told police in a report reviewed by local news outlets. The Princeton University Bridging Divides Initiative, a non-partisan research group that tracks political violence and hate crimes in the U.S., contacted the library about videos it had spotted online that appeared to have CPPL stickers. One video, made on April 3, reportedly showed the trunk of a car filled with books, accompanied by a caption about "cleansing" the libraries. Another video after the April 10 visit showed the books being burned, per local reports. The library made a report with Beachwood police and said it would send a bill for the $1,700 the books were worth once they became overdue. The Beachwood Police Department is actively investigating the incident, according to local reports. "Our department stands against antisemitism and all acts of bias-motivated crimes,' Beachwood Police Chief Dan Grispino said in a statement shared with several news stations and papers. "We are committed to vigorously investigating and prosecuting any hate-motivated incidents within the City of Beachwood. Our priority is to maintain a community that can thrive without the fear of threats of intimidation or violence." The Cuyahoga County Public Library, Princeton University Bridging Divides Initiative and Beachwood Police Department did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment. Local faith group plans to donate 1,000 books Local faith leaders and members of the Interfaith Group Against Hate held a press conference on May 12, where they announced plans to collect and donate 1,000 books back to the library, or 10 books per book burned. "Our goal is to collect a thousand new books that lift up Black, Jewish, and LGBTQ+ voices and experiences, and to share those books in libraries and community organizations and congregations all over our county," Rev. Ryan Wallace of Fairmount Presbyterian Church told reporters at the conference, reported WKYC.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ohio man accused of burning 100 books on Black, Jewish, LGBTQ history
An Ohio man is accused of burning 100 library books on African American, Jewish and LGBTQ history, sparking a public outcry. The Beachwood Police Department said the man checked out the books in April, days after he went to the Beachwood library branch on Shaker Boulevard and got a library card, NBC affiliate WKYC of Cleveland reported. He allegedly told the librarian that his son was a member of the LGBTQ community and that he was trying to learn more about it, the news station reported. The library was informed that the man had posted a photo showing a car trunk full of books on the site, according to WKYC. The books had Cuyahoga County Public Library stickers on them. The library was later informed that the man posted a video that appeared to show him burning all of the books he checked out. The books were worth around $1,700, the news station reported. The Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism described Gab as "an online hub for extremist and conspiratorial content" that it mostly used by "conspiracy theorists, white nationalists, neo-Nazis, members of militias and influential figures among the alt right." The Beachwood library directed NBC News to the Cuyahoga County Public Library, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday. Interfaith Group Against Hate, a coalition led by Jewish, Muslim, and Christian congregations, quickly condemned the man's actions and said it wants to collect 1,000 "new books lifting up Black, Jewish, and LGBTQ+ voices," Congregation Mishkan Or said in a Facebook post Monday. 'Whoever perpetuated the idea that you can burn us out of Cleveland, deport us out of Cleveland and deny our ideas and oppress us and frighten us to the corner…they picked the wrong community!' Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk from Mishkan Or said in a statement. 'And that community will continue to respond with love. Let's use this moment to instead of standing in fear, to stand against this oppressive act, and deepen our convictions to learn about each other's faith, race, culture and values,' he continued. "We want to take this act of hate and turn it into a powerful symbol of unity, solidarity and love," Rev. Ryan Wallace of Fairmount Presbyterian Church said. Sen. Kent Smith, a Democrat, said the man's actions "cannot be tolerated." "I condemn this act, not only because it is a crime against our institutions and community, but also because it is fundamentally un-American," Smith said in a statement. "This act of violence is not just a crime against the public catalog of literature that was destroyed, but also is a violation of the marketplace of ideas that is a bedrock principle of American life." It's not clear if the man faces charges. Police said the incident is most likely a civil matter, and the local prosecutor would determine if charges are warranted, according to WKYC. Police said the library wanted the incident documented and that the books are not yet overdue, the news station reported. The man will receive a bill once they are overdue, and the bill will be sent to collections if it is not paid. Beachwood police said the investigation is ongoing and the city prosecutor will determine "whether there is probable cause to believe a crime was committed." "The Beachwood Police Department is actively investigating this incident," Chief Dan Grispino said in a statement. "Our department stands against antisemitism and all acts of bias-motivated crimes. We are committed to vigorously investigating and prosecuting any hate-motivated incidents within the City of Beachwood. Our priority is to maintain a community that can thrive without the fear of threats of intimidation or violence." The prosecutor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This article was originally published on
NBC News
14-05-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
Ohio man accused of burning 100 books on Black, Jewish, LGBTQ history
An Ohio man is accused of burning 100 library books on African American, Jewish, and LGBTQ history, sparking a public outcry. The Beachwood Police Department said the man checked out the books in April, days after he went to the Beachwood library branch on Shaker Boulevard and got a library card, NBC affiliate WKYC of Cleveland reported. He allegedly told the librarian that his son was a member of the LGBTQ community and that he was trying to learn more about it, the news station reported. The library was informed that the man had posted a photo showing a car trunk full of books on the site, according to WKYC. The books had Cuyahoga County Public Library stickers on them. The library was later informed that the man posted a video that appeared to show him burning all of the books he checked out. The books cost around $1,700, the news station reported. The Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism described Gab as "an online hub for extremist and conspiratorial content" that it mostly used by "conspiracy theorists, white nationalists, neo-Nazis, members of militias and influential figures among the alt right." The Beachwood library directed NBC News to the Cuyahoga County Public Library, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday. Interfaith Group Against Hate, a coalition led by Jewish, Muslim, and Christian congregations, quickly condemned the man's actions and said it wants to collect 1,000 "new books lifting up Black, Jewish, and LGBTQ+ voices," Congregation Mishkan Or said in a Facebook post Monday. 'Whoever perpetuated the idea that you can burn us out of Cleveland, deport us out of Cleveland and deny our ideas and oppress us and frighten us to the corner…they picked the wrong community!' Rabbi Robert Nosanchuk from Mishkan Or said in a statement. 'And that community will continue to respond with love. Let's use this moment to instead of standing in fear, to stand against this oppressive act, and deepen our convictions to learn about each other's faith, race, culture and values,' he continued. "We want to take this act of hate and turn it into a powerful symbol of unity, solidarity and love," Rev. Ryan Wallace of Fairmount Presbyterian Church said. Sen. Kent Smith, a Democrat, said the man's actions "cannot be tolerated." "I condemn this act, not only because it is a crime against our institutions and community, but also because it is fundamentally un-American," Smith said in a statement. "This act of violence is not just a crime against the public catalog of literature that was destroyed, but also is a violation of the marketplace of ideas that is a bedrock principle of American life." It's not clear if the man faces charges. Police said the incident is most likely a civil matter, and the local prosecutor would determine if charges are warranted, according to WKYC. Police said the library wanted the incident documented and that the books are not yet overdue, the news station reported. The man will receive a bill once they are overdue, and the bill will be sent to collections if it is not paid.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Beachwood library speaks out for first time since dozens of books were burned
BEACHWOOD, Ohio (WJW) — A local library is speaking out for the first time after a disturbing incident that police are investigating as a potential hate crime. Officials said a man checked out dozens of books centered on Jewish history, Black experiences and LGBTQ topics—then allegedly burned them. 3 vehicles involved in fatal Wadsworth crash According to Beachwood police, the man first visited the Beachwood branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library on April 2, when he checked out 50 books. The next day, investigators said a photo appeared online showing a car trunk filled with those books and a caption referencing 'cleansing the libraries.' The titles of the books matched those recently checked out, prompting police to begin an investigation. One week later, officials said the same man returned to check out 50 more books. Staff members grew suspicious of his behavior and reported the incident to authorities. Police later discovered a video online that allegedly shows the man burning the books. Local parents surrender after death of 3-year-old In a statement to FOX 8, library officials said, 'We are not commenting on this ongoing investigation. We have taken steps to protect our staff, customers, and property. At this time, the customer has been restricted from all Cuyahoga County Public Library properties and their borrowing privileges have been revoked.' Elizabeth Oestreicher, a Cleveland Heights resident who is both Jewish and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, spoke with Fox 8 about the emotional impact of the act. 'I think it's a move towards censorship and a move towards erasing history,' she said. Oestreicher added that the act immediately reminded her of darker moments in world history. 'I think my first thought was just the 1930s in Germany and the book burnings that happened then,' she said. Walgreens closing dozens of stores across country: Here's where in NE Ohio Investigators said the total value of the books exceeds $1,700. The case was first flagged by a national group that monitors online extremism, and Beachwood police are still actively investigating. Once their investigation is complete, the matter will be referred to a city prosecutor to determine whether charges will be filed. No arrests have been made at this time. Fox 8 reached out to both Beachwood police and city officials for further comment, but they declined to speak while the case remains open. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
