The Cleveland/Bradley County Public Library’s History Branch Committee met recently to discuss ongoing renovations and future needs at the Craigmiles House, where the branch is located.

Members of the committee include Library Director Andy Hunt, library board chairman John Hagler, and Barbara Fagen, a member of the library board and former director of the History Branch.

The three-person panel discussed the light over the main-entry doors.

Hagler informed the committee that Anne McReynolds has been searching for a half-dome light, adding she has found one about a foot and a half wide, which should be a good size.

Hagler added the had considered donating a fixture with a chain, but thought it would compete with the beautiful glass above the doors, as well as the gas fixture to the right of the doorway.

Committee members are also reviewing the property line for the History Branch, especially the area on the backside of the property bordering the Prater property.

Members looked at the area where an increase in parking spaces are proposed at the rear of the building.

Fagen said she has received a message from Marty Powell, one of the building’s neighbors to the rear of the property. She said it is clear how the library’s property line meets the Prater property, when viewed from the second-floor deck.

Fagen suggested a letter to the Praters concerning the property line.

Hagler said he will talk to the city attorney about drafting an agreement proposal concerning future parking plans at the back of the building, which will continue to allow right-of-way access to the Praters.

Hagler also said library board member Bill Burch has talked with Cleveland Utilities concerning the possibility of a light to be mounted on the pole on Ocoee Street in front of the History Branch.

This light would be facing the History Branch parking lot, and might even highlight the building. Committee members have concerns the light might be intrusive to neighbors.

Burch was to check with a CU engineer to make sure this will not be an issue.

The committee also looked at the History Branch’s old reference room. Fagen suggested removing the couch and two chairs in the room and centering the big, round table under the chandelier.

She feels this table may have been an original from when the property was donated to the library.

Fagen added there may be space available in the reference area for some of Summerfield Johnston’s library. She added some of the old court cases in that area are locked in cabinets, and could be relocated.

The possibility of a historical marker in front of the History Branch was also discussed. Members said a marker could address both the Craigmiles House history as well as the Johnston donation of the house to become Cleveland’s first library.

Fagen also suggested it would be a good idea to have some of the old portraits in the facility professionally cleaned.

During its tour, the committee visited the Civil War room. Hagler added his idea of adding uniform wood shelving around the room, which would be lower than the plate rails. Missing plate rails would also be replaced.

Th one isolated microfilm cabinet may be relocated with other cabinets. Fagen felt only the two new microfilm readers will be necessary.

She said the readers would be placed at an angle, leaving patrons a place to write. Hagler suggested moving the readers to the far wall alcove, which would open up the center of the room.

He said a round table could be placed there with chairs surrounding it, providing a place for patrons to plug in computers.