The librarians in our John D. Ong are co-pilots of our curriculum, offering instructional sessions and top-level support with our students’ research projects. For longer projects, our students are assigned to work one-on-one with an instructional librarian, who will mentor them on how to locate, evaluate and utilize the resources available to them.

Thanks to our librarians, our students gain the necessary research skills and digital literacy so that they can locate, evaluate and effectively use information. In this digital era, knowledge is infinite, and we teach our students to do more than properly attribute and source — we teach them to be responsible custodians of information, empowering them for academic success.

Catalogs, Databases & Resources

Locate materials owned by the Ong Library through our online catalog. The WRA Catalog contains records for books, eBooks, audio books, films, and music CDs. Access to other library catalogs include: Hudson Library and Historical Society and other local public libraries.

 

Fully Stocked

Our library collection includes 23,000 book volumes, access to more than 80,000 ebooks and 30+ research databases. The 21,000-square-foot building also features a computer lab, a library instructional classroom, study rooms, reading areas, the Western Reserve Academy Archives Collection, The Academic Center (TAC) for Student Support, and our College Counseling Office. We encourage our community to take advantage of everything our library has to offer.


Visit the John D. Ong Library

We encourage our community to take advantage of everything our library has to offer. And please don't hesitate to contact the library staff for assistance. We are always here to help, email us at [email protected].

LIBRARY HOURS:

  • Monday -Thursday: 7:45 a.m.-9:45 p.m.
  • Friday: 7:45 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
  • Sunday: 2:00 p.m.– 9:45 p.m.

Library History

Officially opened in June 2000, the John D. Ong Library is a 21,000 sq. ft building designed by the Pittsburgh-based architectural firm of McLachlan, Cornelius & Filoni. The current library honors John D. Ong, who served as WRA Board President from 1977 to 1995.

Previous Library Locations

  • 1826–1827: Rev. William Hanford's study on Aurora Street
  • 1827–1836: Middle College (demolished in 1912)
  • 1836–1882: The Chapel (ground floor)
  • 1882–1903: Athenaeum (top floor, west)
  • 1916–1921: Seymour Hall
  • 1921–1963: The Chapel (ground floor) 1963–2000: Wilson Hall

The Archives

Western Reserve Academy's revered history is documented in the Academy Archives Collection housed on the lower level of the library. Included in the collection are yearbooks, faculty and alumni records, school publications, photographs, correspondence, audiotapes, videotapes and 16mm films. The Archives Collection is open to students, alumni, faculty and historians.

Click here to learn more about WRA History.

 

A Spotlight on WRA Authors & Artists

Click here for the comprehensive list. If you know of a publication not listed, please contact the John D. Ong Library at 330-650-9730.