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Media Relations

Background

Westlake Porter Public Library (WPPL) has been an integral part of the community since 1884, providing a rich variety of resources supporting literacy, education and entertainment. It has partnered with many local organizations to provide programs and resources for families with questions about their child’s development, the Annual Westlake-Bay Village Art Festival, American Red Cross Bloodmobiles, the Annual Health Fair and much more. The library is open seven days a week, including four hours on Sunday afternoons.

Founding

WPPL was founded on December 15, 1884, by Leonard Porter with a bequest of $1,000 and his personal book collection.

Building

The current building was built in 1985-86. A renovation and expansion project took place from 1999-2002. During this project the library was moved to a temporary location. The current building was opened in July 2002. Its size is about 70,000 square feet.

In 2023 WPPL:

  • Had nearly 794,000 items checked out
  • Hosted over 267,000 visitors
  • Opened and dedicated the Makerspace and Friends Programming Pavilion
  • Underwent a renovation project that added new group study rooms in the Reference Department and moved the Friends’ Book Nook used bookstore to the front of the lobby
  • Hosted over 32,849 programs and nearly 1,400 public meetings
  • Answered over 91,000 reference questions
  • Accepted 1,360 passport applications

Contacts

Heather Feenaughty

Elaine WIllis

Photo Gallery

Front entrance to the Westlake library

The front entrance of Westlake Porter Public Library’s current building at 27333 Center Ridge Road.

New books area

The new books area in the center of Westlake Porter Public Library.

9/11 Memorial Wall

A view of the Reference Department at Westlake Porter Public Library.

Inside the Makerspace

An inside view of the Makerspace, located in the library lobby, just inside the entrance.

Inside the Makerspace

A look inside the recording studio in the Makerspace, which is in the library’s lobby.

Leonard G. Porter

Leonard G. Porter, whose bequest to the Dover Literary Society on December 15, 1884, led to the creation of Porter Public Library.

Westlake Porter Public Library’s earliest known building

Westlake Porter Public Library’s earliest known building, on Center Ridge Road east of its current location, in 1930.

Porter Public Library at 27059 Center Ridge Road.

Westlake Porter Public Library in 1950 at 27059 Center Ridge Road.

Porter Public Library at 27059 Center Ridge Road in 1974

An expanded version of the library building at 27059 Center Ridge Road in September 1974.

Westlake Porter Public Library at its current location circa 1986

Westlake Porter Public Library’s original building at its current location, built in 1985-86.

The Friends of Porter Public Library’s used bookstore, the Book Nook

The Friends of Porter Public Library’s used bookstore, the Book Nook, is in the library lobby.

Inside the Friends of Porter Public Library’s used bookstore, the Book Nook

A view of some of the books for sale inside the Friends of Porter Public Library’s used bookstore, the Book Nook.

The Friends Programming Pavilion at Westlake Porter Public Library

The Friends Programming Pavilion at Westlake Porter Public Library was dedicated in 2023.

The brick walkway at the Friends Programming Pavilion

The brick walkway at the Friends Programming Pavilion features bricks honoring people and organizations in the Westlake community and beyond.

9/11 Memorial Wall

The 9/11 Memorial Wall in the lobby features a piece of steel from the World Trade Center and a tribute to WHS graduate Christina Ryook.

Christina's Corner in Youth Services

Christina’s Corner is an area of Youth Services created and maintained in memory of Westlake resident Christina Ryook, who was in the World Trade Center on 9/11.

Christina's Corner in Youth Services

A close-up of Christina’s Corner showing a framed rubbing of Christina Ryook’s name made at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City.