February, 2023
The sign says it all, “The Excitement’s on the Inside.” The above pictures show the demolition. Walls and flooring have been removed in the process of updating the Branch. Progress is being made and there have been no big surprises. We continue to be on track for a late fall 2023 re-opening.
Bertram Woods Branch Renovation FAQs
How long will the Renovation take?
The renovation will take approximately nine months to complete. We anticipate re-opening in
mid-October, 2023; however, long lead times for material or other issues could delay the project’s completion.
What will happen to the staff at Bertram Woods Branch while it is closed?
They will work at Shaker Main Library, located at 16500 Van Aken Boulevard, where you will be able to connect with familiar staff from Bertram Woods Branch.
What will the renovated library look like?
The renovation will focus on the interior of the building, which will be designed with a calming, nature-inspired theme. Required exterior repairs will be made to cracked slate, damaged gutters, downspouts, soffits, and brick-and-mortar. The skylight in the children’s room, the entire HVAC system, and the electrical service will be replaced. The plumbing received some touchless upgrades in 2020 with the COVID funds received, but the remaining fixtures and the water heater will be replaced. Additional cameras will be installed and the fire alarm system will be replaced. In addition to the building system repairs and replacements, study rooms will be added, the adult and children’s information desks will be consolidated into a central desk, staff work areas will be reconfigured to be more useable, and the overall appearance and customer experience will be improved.
What will happen to the collection at Woods?
Some of the collection has been moved to the Main Library; some has been moved to storage and will be returned when the library re-opens.
Where can I pick up my holds?
You can pick up your items from the holds shelves at Shaker Main Library, or you can specify any other CLEVNET library that’s convenient for you.
Will the Woods’ Book Drop be open so I can return my items?
No. The Book Drop will be closed during the renovation and the parking lot will be unavailable.
You can return items to the Shaker Main Library Book Drop or to any other CLEVNET library.
Will the paper recycling bins be available?
No. The paper recycling bins will be removed and the parking lot will be unavailable during the
renovation.
Where is Shaker Main Library?
Shaker Main Library is located at 16500 Van Aken Boulevard in Shaker Heights. The entrance to the library is off Lee Road (across from Heinen’s Grocery Store and behind the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Community Building). The phone number is 216-991-2030.
How is the renovation being funded?
The renovation is funded by a 1.9 mill operating levy passed by the community in 2018.
December, 2022
Bertram Woods Branch will close Sunday, January 1, 2023, and will remain closed throughout the renovation. The Book Drop will also be closed. Readers who have reserved books, music, or movies will be able to pick them up through December 31; after that time, their requests will be available for pick up from the Main Library. It is anticipated that the branch will reopen in mid-October, 2023; however, long lead times for material or other issues could delay project completion. The library encourages the community to use the Main Library and discover all that it has to offer – and where they can connect with familiar staff from Bertram Woods Branch.
November, 2022
The Library Board approved the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) so the next steps in construction can begin when the Woods Branch closes on Sunday, January 1, 2023. The Branch will remain closed throughout the renovation project. It is anticipated that the branch will reopen mid-October, 2023; however, long lead times for material or other issues could delay project completion.
October, 2022
The Building Committee met on October 26 to review the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), which will be approved at a special board meeting in November so next steps in construction can begin. Turner will focus on submittals, approving bid packages, releasing work, ordering material and requests for information (RFIs) from the design team. Mr. Riachi and Mr. Kellogg from Turner believe that completing that work prior to construction will allow the actual construction schedule to be shortened by approximately a month.
September, 2022
Design has been completed for the Bertram Woods Branch project. Construction drawings and documents have been released to Turner Construction so they can obtain bids, which are due in October. The Building Committee will meet October 26 to review the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP).
July/August, 2022
Architects continue to work on the redesign plans for Bertram Woods Branch.
June 27, 2022: Initial Bertram Woods Design Shared
Bialosky Cleveland architects presented the Bertram Woods Design to the Library Board at its June 27 meeting. 
April 2022: Design for Bertram Woods Branch Renovation Begins
Bialosky Cleveland architect began the design process in April. Design is scheduled to take six months. Construction will take approximately nine months and Bertram Woods Branch will be closed during construction. Construction is expected to be completed by summer 2023.
March 21, 2022: Board Unanimously Approves Bertram Woods Branch Renovation
At its March 21, 2022 meeting, the Library Board of Trustees voted unanimously to move forward with the renovation of the Bertram Woods Branch. The architect for the project is Bialosky Cleveland and Turner Construction is the construction manager at risk. Read Press Release.
