Our statement regarding the April 1 shooting

For many people in our Shaker community, the library is their safe place. It is a space to find belonging and support.

We are devastated by yesterday’s gun violence at Main Library, which ended in the loss of life for one patron. We are heartbroken for the victim, Charles Lee Shanklin, his family, and the other library users who experienced what no one should in their safe space.

We’re grateful for the quick action of our staff, the Shaker Heights Police and Fire Departments, especially the paramedics, and other first responders, and we’re grateful to the community for their outpouring of support.

We know many of you have questions about library safety and security moving forward, and we want to assure you that we are working through options with our board and community partners. The security of staff and customers is our greatest priority.

Those who left their belongings in the building will be able to reclaim them from the Stephanie Tubbs Jones building today, April 2, between 4 and 6:30 p.m. Materials not collected this evening will be available for collection at the library when it re-opens Saturday.

Shaker Library will remain closed through Friday, April 4. Before we reopen, we will debrief with staff and allow them time to process with the help of grief counselors. Plans for a community debriefing are in the works, and we will release those details when they are confirmed.