CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- The Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library has hit a milestone. For the first time in its 100-year history, the library system has circulated more than 2 million items in a single year.

Director Nancy Levin confirmed the number with CLEVNET, the library consortium that manages the Heights Libraries online catalog and tracks the circulation of its member libraries.

This was a very busy year for us, so the numbers dont really surprise us, but we are thrilled to hit this milestone, Levin said in a news release. With so many different ways to access materials, people are borrowing more now than ever.

As of Dec. 31, Heights Libraries circulation had hit 2,072,833 for the year.

Circulation for physical holdings still far outnumbers that for electronic holdings. A total of 1,868,673 -- or 90.15 percent -- of the 2019 circulation was comprised of physical holdings, such as books, DVDs and CDs.

Electronic holdings -- such as eBooks, audiobooks, online magazines and streaming media (movies, TV shows and music) -- comprised 9.85 percent.

The eMedia circulation, while lower than the physical holdings, demonstrates that were offering access to a wide variety of materials to as many people as possible, wherever they may be, Deputy Director Kim DeNero-Ackroyd said in that same release. Customers consume media differently than they used to, and we are keeping up with those trends.

I truly believe physical books will never go away, but if its 10 p.m. and youre, lets say, stuck at the airport and want a book to read, you can download one instantly," she said. "Or if your child needs a resource for a school project after library hours, you can go online.

Another possible factor contributing to the high circulation numbers, according to the CH-UH system, is the librarys fine-free policy, instituted in 2018. Customers who previously may have been intimidated by punitive policies that prevented them from checking out items now feel welcome again.

Levin also wonders if the library systems ever-increasing circulation numbers could be part of a larger social trend, what some call the sharing economy.

It seems that young people are less interested in owning things and more interested in finding a way to share resources, like cars and housing, said Levin. Libraries have always operated on the principle of sharing, so we cater naturally to the values of millennials and younger generations who believe in it, too.

Gold and silver: The winners of the 2020 Scholastic Art & Writing Competition are now known, as named by the Cleveland Institute of Art. And Laurel School in Shaker Heights has informed us that 19 of the gold and silver key award winners attend that school.

Taking home gold keys -- the top prize -- were Cleveland Heights Kate Goldberg, Class of 22, for her work in the ceramics and glass category, and Cleveland resident Hannah Mitchell, 20, in the photography category.

Winners of silver keys were Elizabeth Bogusz, 20, photography, Cleveland; Mei Hashimoto (winner of two silver keys), 20, mixed media, Beachwood; Jane Jusko, 21, mixed media, Lakewood; Eriana Kellis, 20, photography, Chagrin Falls; and Anna Soeder, 20, photography, University Heights.

Winning a silver key writing award was Maggie Chen, 23, short story category, Concord Township.

In addition, 11 Laurel students earned a total of 14 honorable mention awards.

On the list: If the name of your school is Dean College, do you have a deans list? I dont know, but Dean College in Franklin, Mass., does have a presidents list, and making that list for the fall, 2019 semester was Shaker Heights resident Zeki Zai. Congratulations to Zeki.

Also, making the deans list at Baldwin Wallace University in Berea were Christian Smith, a business administration major from Cleveland Heights, and Liam Stilson, an acting major from University Heights.

Meanwhile, achieving deans list status at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa., were Kate Amaddio, a biomedical engineering major from Beachwood; Owen Laframboise, a biology major from Shaker Heights; Molly Paine, an accounting and financial management major from Cleveland Heights; and Elizabeth Stack, an international relations major from Shaker Heights.

And, lets not forget that Shaker Heights Josie Lowell has made the deans list at the University of Vermont, in Burlington.

State of the city: University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan will give his state-of-the-city address at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 in the Jardine Room at John Carroll University. All residents are invited.

Also from Brennans At Your Service email newsletter, we are informed that the city has begun removing damaged and diseased trees from residents tree lawns. There is a complete list of affected properties that can be found at universityheights.com.

Replacement trees will be planted late this year. Residents with questions can call the citys service department at 216-932-7800.

Kids Comic Con: Cleveland Heights Lake Erie Ink will be hosting its eighth annual Kids Comic Con from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 29. At this all-day event, youths ages 8-18 will have the chance to attend workshops with experienced comic creators.

Last year, the one-of-a-kind comic convention for young writers and artists drew nearly 150 young people from all across Northeast Ohio. Workshops will cover both aspects of comic creation -- drawing and writing -- as well as the ever-popular create your own comic character in clay session.

New this year is a teens-only (grades 6-12) program that will debut after the initial programming. The teens-only program runs from 5 to 8 p.m. It features a Make Change with Comics panel, during which teens will have the opportunity to learn the difficult balance of making money through art, while simultaneously making a positive difference in their community. The program will also feature a cosplay fashion show and a Snack n Sketch zine exchange.

From Terri Libenson, a nationally syndicated comic strip artist who worked on The Pajama Diaries from 2006-2020, to Studio JS, whose most recent projects include a family-friendly comic about pickles called Tickle Pickle James and the Sweet Pickles, attendees will have the opportunity to learn from artists and writers that represent a wide range of styles, experience and backgrounds.

Doors open at 9 a.m., followed by the workshops at 10 a.m. Costumes are encouraged. Admission is $10 at the door. Scholarships are available. Lunch will be sold on-site, or attendees can bring their own. Comics and graphic novels will be available for purchase. Adults are welcome if accompanied by a child; teachers are welcome with a staff ID.

Youths can register here, or by calling 216-320-4757. Pre-register to save a spot.

It all happens at Lake Erie Ink, 2843 Washington Blvd.

Be a Red Cross volunteer: There is a critical need for local disaster response, blood drive and transportation specialist volunteers and, at the same time, the Red Cross is looking to grow its volunteer teams in disaster and blood services.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer in these areas, the American Red Cross of Northeast Ohio will be holding two information sessions at its regional headquarters, 3747 Euclid Ave. in Cleveland. The sessions will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Jan. 25 and Feb. 29.

Stop by one of these sessions and find out the many ways to make a difference as a volunteer, hear from and ask questions of current Red Cross volunteers, and take the opportunity to complete a volunteer application.

To RSVP for one of the information sessions, contact Gail Wernick at 216-431-3328 or at gail.wernick@redcross.org.

Discussing racism, anti-Semitism: With incidents of racism and anti-Semitism on the rise, Park Synagogue and Cory United Methodist Church invite the community to Real Talk: Racism & Anti-Semitism, at 1 p.m. Feb. 9 at Park Synagogue Mains Rosenthal Ballroom, 3300 Mayfield Road in Cleveland Heights.

The program is promised to offer an environment where all people -- black, white, brown and yellow -- can explore thoughts and feelings about racism and anti-Semitism through facilitator-led table discussions that will give everyone an opportunity to participate. The programs goal is to help all participants make positive changes in the community and individually.

All adults and teens are welcome to attend the event. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. for registration and refreshments, with the program beginning at 1 p.m.

The program is free and open to the community, but RSVPs are required by Jan. 31. RSVP to Ellen Petler at epetler@parksyn.org or by calling 216-371-2244, ext. 122.

The event is sponsored by the Park-Cory Connection, a committee of Park Synagogue and Cory United Methodist Church members who work together to enhance the relationships between the two historic congregations.

Fake news: We hear the term fake news all the time these days, and the University Heights Library, 13866 Cedar Road, will appropriately conduct a Tech Talk session titled How to Spot Fake News, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 30.

The internet and social media sites may be filled with links to incorrect, inaccurate and often harmful false reporting, and in this session you can learn more about why they exist and ways to spot these fake stories.

Of course, you wont be seeing the name Press Run popping up at this session -- at least I dont think you will.

Anyway, register by calling 216-321-4700.

And, be aware that the Lee Road Library will be holding its annual Teen Poetry Slam from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 30. Hosted by Heights Libraries, Lake Erie Ink and Cleveland Heights High School, the slam is open to all high school students. Performers will compete for a panel of guest judges and should have three or more poems ready for the competition. Register by emailing teen@heightslibrary.org.

The library branch is located at 2345 Lee Road in Cleveland Heights.

Sharing is a good thing: Temple Emanu El held a successful ShareFest intergenerational day of service in late 2018. This year, the temple will build upon that success by conducting its second ShareFest from 9:30 a.m. to noon Feb. 2 at the temple, 4545 Brainard Road in Orange.

Hosted by the Tikkun Olam (Social Action) Committee, this free event encourages all temple members to Create. Collect. Nourish, and to give back to the Cleveland community with done-in-a-day projects that suit all ages.

Featured projects will include making cards for soldiers, dog treats for rescue animals and chocolate chip cookies for Boys & Girls Clubs.

The first ShareFest, held on Dec. 9, 2018, brought participation from 225 people whose work benefited more than 10 local organizations. It is anticipated that between 200 and 300 people will attend this years event. For more information, call the temple at 216-454-1300.

Casual Fridays at the library: If you visit the Shaker Heights Public Library on a Friday and think that the staff is dressed a little on the casual side by wearing jeans, be assured that they are doing so for a good reason. Those wearing jeans, and even some dressed in standard attire, will have donated $1 to the staff-created initiative Taking a Bite Out of Hunger, which benefits The Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland.

In 2019, the staff donated more than $1,000 to the Hunger Network to benefit local food banks.

And, while were on the subject of the Shaker Heights Library, it is offering free tax preparation help for seniors at its main branch, 16500 Van Aken Blvd.

Additionally, the main library will host Closing the Achievement Gap: Preschools and Early Childhood Education Forum, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 30. The role of Pre-K in closing the achievement gap is strong. Attendees can engage with experts, including a four-person panel, in discussing the difference early childhood education can make and Shaker Schools Pre-K plans. For more information, call 216-367-3005.

If you would like to see an item appear in Press Run, send me an email, at least 12 days prior to an event, at jeff.piorkowski@att.net.

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CH-UH Libraries break circulation record, at more than 2 million items: Press Run - cleveland.com