Annual report of the Cleveland Public Library for 1999

              1999 Annual Report
Cleveland Public Library
Cleveland Public Library
325 Superior Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44114 - 1271
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
Non- Profit Org.
U. S. Postage
PA I D
Cleveland, OH
Permit No. 408
1
“ Cleveland Public Library: The People’s University Striving for Excellence.” This
phrase, coined by our new Library Director, Andrew A. Venable, Jr., clearly focuses
our thoughts on the mission of the Library; “ To be the best urban library system in
the country by providing access to the worldwide information that people and organi-zations
need in a timely, convenient, and equitable manner.”
Like previous Annual Reports issued over the years, this report from the last year
of the millennium, continues to chronicle the Library’s progress, growth and develop-ment.
It is, however, a reporting of more than facts and figures and balance sheets. It
is a report that highlights an exciting year featuring people, programs and partner-ships.
From the reopening of the historic Main Library Building to exciting author
programs for both children and adults to the innovative student Library Card sign up
partnership with the Cleveland Municipal Schools, your Library extended access to
vital information and cultural diversity to literally thousands of Greater Clevelanders.
Throughout the year, the Cleveland Public Library reached farther and touched more
people than ever.
As President of the Board of Library Trustees and on behalf of my fellow trustees,
it has been a distinct pleasure and honor to serve you. Our pledge in 2000 and beyond
is our total commitment to provide the citizens of the Cleveland area with the finest
quality services possible at your Cleveland Public Library.
Venerine L. Branham
President
Comments from Board President
Venerine L. Branham
15
The mission of the Cleveland
Public Library is to be the best
urban library system in the
country by providing access
to the worldwide information
that people and organizations
need in a timely, convenient,
and equitable manner.
TOP ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT
Robert C. Petrulis, Vice President
Charlene A. Jones, Secretary
Thomas D. Corrigan
BOTTOM ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT
Frances Hunter
Patricia S. James
Sandra E. Noble
MISSION STATEMENT
Members of the Board of Library Trustees
3
The Cleveland Public Library exists because you, the taxpayer, believe that libraries
are important. Every program, service, and material we offer is aimed at a single
goal: to provide you with excellent library service. Throughout this report we focus
on seven key themes to describe the ways in which we strived to serve you in
1999: patrons, programs, partnerships, process, promotion, professionalism, and
plant. We continued to work hard in 1999 to earn your support and think you’ll find
many reasons within these pages to agree.
3.5 million people visited a
Cleveland Public Library in 1999.
2
1999 was a time of major transition for the third largest public research library in
America that began with reopening the restored Main Library building, followed by
a change in executive leadership.
During my installation ceremony, we proclaimed Cleveland Public Library as
“ The People’s University” focusing on connecting people to library programs and
services; and, developing partnerships with community organizations as being key to
future library growth. Our theme: “ The People’s University: Striving For Excellence”.
A successful and historic “ Library Card Sign- Up Campaign” developed a mutual
partnership with our Cleveland Municipal Schools; and, new partnerships with Great
Lakes Theater Festival and Cleveland Playhouse ushered in cultural programs at Main
Library. Likewise, partnerships with Cablevision, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland
Cavaliers, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Southwest Airlines provided special incen-tives
for families participating in our Summer and Winter Reading Clubs. One exam-ple
of publicity by the local media, featured a front page article with a photo about
our large auditorium projection screen in the Louis Stokes Wing showing football
games of the new Cleveland Browns.
We salute our Library Trustees, Friends of Cleveland Public Library, Partners,
Patrons and Staff ( ambassadors) for their support!
“ Preserve Our Future, Support The People’s University”
Andrew A. Venable, Jr.
Director
Message from the Director
1999 was an Exciting Year at the
Cleveland Public Library
Reviewing Our Year
The Library Card Campaign helped us issue
more than 32,302 library cards during the year.
Librarians and teachers joined forces in September to register
the city’s schoolchildren for library cards: their lifelong “ Passport
to Learning.” Between September 7 and 30, the Library and the
Cleveland Municipal Schools and parochial schools signed up more
than 18,000 students. Participants were encouraged to read and to
visit their Library regularly. One encouraging result was that the
Jefferson Branch reported a 21% jump in circulation for the month,
its highest one- month increase in years! Southwest Airlines provided
a pair of airline tickets and travel discount coupons for a drawing as
a special incentive for teachers and school media specialists.
5
Children apply for a “ Passport to Learning”
with the help of Director Venable and Barbara Byrd
Bennett, CEO of the Cleveland Municipal Schools.
Clevelanders are connecting to information at the Library!
During the year, usage of the Library’s electronic resources
increased by 10%. Plans were made to dramatically
increase the number of public access computers available
in branches and at Main Library by mid- 2000.
Late in the year, the Library hired a full- time Web site
Coordinator to redesign the Library’s Web site. Significant
functional enhancements planned for early 2000 include
online renewals, an events calendar, patron- friendly orga-nization
of electronic resources, site searching capability,
and online exhibitions from the Library’s collections.
Check it out at www. cpl. org.
www. cpl. org The Virtual Library
You accessed the Library’s electronic
resources more than 43.3 million times.
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Two major historical events dominated the year. The May 22nd re- dedication of the
renovated Main Library Building marked both the pinnacle and the end of one of the
Library’s most ambitious building programs ever. Begun in 1988 under the directorship
of Marilyn Gell Mason, the $ 100 million Main Library Project has helped to assure Main
Library’s future as a key information resource for Greater Cleveland. The re- opening
celebration is discussed in detail starting on page 14.
On June 4th, following an extensive national search, Andrew A. Venable, Jr., was named
the Library’s 16th Director. Director Venable immediately shifted the Library’s collective
energy from the decade- long building project to its primary mission as an institution of
lifelong learning. Under the motto, “ The People’s University: Striving for Excellence,”
Director Venable announced his plan to make the Library a vital part of the life of every
Clevelander. This would be accomplished through strengthened working relationships
between the Main Library and the branches, responsive patron services, a network of
extensive neighborhood/ community partnerships, and quality programs for people of all
ages and backgrounds.
In October, the new leadership team was made complete with the appointment of
Sari Feldman as Deputy Director.
The Honorable Louis Stokes
administers the oath of office to
Director Andrew A. Venable, Jr.
You borrowed 5,052,723 items from the
Library in 1999, including 627,712 from
the Library for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped.
Your Cleveland Public Library conducted more
than 5,100 story hours, lectures, and other
programs in branches and at Main Library.
To honor the lifetime achievements of Congressman Louis Stokes, who
retired in 1998, the United States Congress in 1999 awarded the Library a
$ 500,000 appropriation for the development of distance learning centers
and computer labs in the Collinwood, Harvard- Lee, and Martin Luther King, Jr.
branches. Planning for the centers was well underway by year’s end. Working
closely with area high schools and colleges, the Library will offer exciting inter-active
learning opportunities through these centers starting in Fall 2000.
Cleveland Browns player Marquez Pope
reads a story at the Carnegie West Branch.
The Library family bid a tearful farewell to
librarian Ruth Hadlow, who retired after
57 years of service to children. Known affec-tionately
as the Story Lady to generations of
Clevelanders, Miss Hadlow told one last
story to an audience of admirers at her
retirement reception in January.
6 7
The Carnegie Corporation Grant
Carnegie Corporation of New York celebrated its centennial in
grand style by returning to its origin as “ builder of libraries.” On June
10, the Corporation awarded $ 15 million in one- time grants to
25 urban library systems throughout the United States. Cleveland
Public Library received $ 500,000 to fund literacy support for
young children ( infants to age 5). Starting in 2000, the Library will
establish “ Early Childhood Learning Environments” in 15 neighbor-hood
branches. Based on the Library’s successful Family Learning
Connection model, these areas will feature colorful rugs, interactive
toys, and a generous collection of board books. The grant will also fund
a series of parent- child workshops, outreach to child care centers, and
a training institute for select Library staff. Vartan Gregorian, Director of
the Corporation, announced that the aim of the gift was “ to highlight
the central role of America’s public libraries in preparing young people,
adults, and newcomers for a new century in which knowledge and
creative thinking will be the basis for individual advancement.”
The Family Learning Connection. Embracing our role as a regional “ partner in
literacy,” the Library in 1998 tested a model literacy support project called the Family
Learning Connection ( FLC). Funded by the State Library of Ohio through federal funds,
FLC was established in two neighborhood branches: Hough and Carnegie West. The intent
of the project was to test a combination of approaches to providing literacy support to the
community. Our ultimate goal was to replicate effective strategies in other neighborhood
branch libraries.
Based on our evaluation of the model project, the Family Learning Connection was
continued in the two initial sites and expanded to five more in 1999, including: East 131,
Fulton, Langston Hughes, Woodland, and Main Library Children’s Literature. The State
Library of Ohio not only provided funding for the expansion of the project, it praised the
Family Learning Connection as an exemplary project with potential to be replicated or to
serve as a model for other areas of Ohio.
The project’s principal components enable families and individuals to read, connect,
and interact through a range of exciting opportunities. “ Early Childhood Areas” with colorful
rugs, furnishings, toys, and a large selection of board books, stimulate young minds ( infants
to age 5) by encouraging parent/ child interaction and educational playtime. Computer work
stations offer a range of educational and personal computing software for all ages. At a pop-ular
series of on- going Parent- Child workshops, educators model effective parenting tech-niques.
Additional story hours, referrals to agencies that teach people to read, partnerships
with area organizations, and job and career information are also part of the FLC’s services.
One parent commented that she took two buses to attend the Parent- Child workshops
because her son had hearing problems and the workshop gave her the opportunity to discuss
her concerns with a professional therapist. Another parent remarked, “ I don’t really know
any other places where you can have something like this for free, unless your kids are in day
care or school.”
You asked us 1,847,215 questions,
including 686,769 by telephone.
That’s more than 5,700 a day!
If you didn’t meet your branch librarian in 1999, chances are you will in 2000.
Branch librarians invested many hours during the year connecting to the communities
we serve. They attended community meetings, visited schools, and represented the
Library at events such as the Senior Health Fair and Black Family Expo.
More than 2,200 neighborhood groups used the community rooms in branches in
1999. State Senator Daniel Brady held a public hearing on the national “ Tobacco
Settlement” at Eastman. At Glenville, the Council of Fathers presented a job fair and
a seminar on home insurance. At Memorial- Nottingham, the National Association of
Black Accountants provided tax preparation assistance. Contact your local branch
library for information about the use of community rooms.
The Main Library collections continued to support the work of the branches. In one
example, the Foreign Literature Department delivered collections of foreign language
materials on demand to branches where there was a need for them. Among others,
Addison received collections in Chinese and Spanish; Fleet, Jefferson, and Walz
received collections in Spanish; and Fulton received materials in Ukrainian.
The Cleveland Public Library
serves the City through the
Main Library, twenty- eight
neighborhood branches, the
Library for the Blind and
Physically Handicapped, and
the Public Administration
Library at City Hall.
Serving Cleveland’s
Neighborhoods
Your Cleveland Public Library conducted
1,391 programs in schools, day care centers,
and community centers.
9
The second Writers- In- Residence program featured free writing workshops con-ducted
by Rosemary Daniell ( pictured at left) and Calvin Hernton ( second from
left). Both are published poets and novelists. More than 30 budding and accom-plished
writers registered for the workshops, which were co- sponsored by the
Cleveland Foundation and the Friends of the Library. A program at the end of
the series gave participants the opportunity to read their writings in public.
Writers- In- Residence Program
8
The Most Reverend Anthony Pilla, Bishop of
Cleveland, speaks about the legacy of Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr.
The Cleveland Public Library Chorus
The Great Lakes Theater Festival presents To be
Young, Gifted and Black— a Portrait of Lorraine
Hansberry in Her Own Words.
The Anisfield- Wolf Book Awards Program
In January, the Most Reverend Anthony Pilla, Bishop of Cleveland, was
the keynote speaker at the annual celebration of the life of Martin Luther
King, Jr. Bishop Pilla delivered his message, “ Reverend Martin Luther
King, Jr.: A Sign of Hope,” to a capacity audience at the Library’s branch
named in honor of the civil rights leader.
The Library again joined with the Cleveland Foundation to host the
Anisfield- Wolf Book Awards program. Founded by Edith Anisfield Wolf,
the late Cleveland philanthropist and Library Trustee, the award has been
given annually since 1936 to authors who contribute to our understanding
of racism or explore the diversity of human cultures. The 1999 awards were
presented to Russell Banks, author of Cloudsplitter, and to Democratic
Representative John Lewis, author of Walking With the Wind.
Well- attended programs were presented throughout the year in partner-ship
with groups such as the Great Lakes Theater Festival, A Cultural
Exchange, Playhouse Square Center, Regional Transit Authority, Northeast
Ohio Jazz Society, Project LEARN, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, George
Gund Foundation, and Oberlin College.
In December, Director Venable celebrated the season by leading the
Cleveland Public Library Staff Chorus in another enjoyable concert. The
City of Cleveland’s cable television office taped the concert and broadcast it
on Channel 35 during and after the holiday season.
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15
17
11
5
18
24
28
10
2
25
8
6
19
12
14
22
3
23
4
16
26
7
21
27
1
9
20
2
90 490
71
77
77
90
480 480
MADISON
WEST
BLVD
BROOKPARK
H
W 150th
PURITAS
H
W 140th
W 117th
W 130th
W 105th
W 80th
CLARK AV
BERE A
FULTON RD
W 11th
D
MEMPHIS AV
SCRANTON
W 65th
FULTON
PKWY
E 79th
E 49th ST
FLEET AV
MAYFIELD RD
CEDAR RD
HAYDEN E 140th
E 152th
E 93rd ST
UNION
E 169th
E 55th ST
CORLETT AV
E 131st
LEE RD LEE RD
E 116th
BUNTS
CLINTON
ASPINWALL
W157th
ROCKY RIVER
FRANKLIN
WARREN
RD
LORAIN
BELLAIRE
TIEDEMAN
RIDGE RD
TRISKETT
JENNINGS RD
DENISON AV
ROADVIEW RD
PEARL RD
FULTON
W 25th
W 9th
E 9th
EUCLID AV
CEDAR AV
EUCLID HTS
BLVD
CARNEGIE AV
ST CLAIR AV
ADDISON
WADE PARK
SUPERIOR AV
E 71st
LAKEVIEW
COIT
SHAW AV
WOODHILL
WOODLAND
HARVARD AV
MILES AV
MILES RD
LIBBY RD
GRANGER
RD
E 49th ST
BROADWAY
TURNEY RD
E 71st ST
GARFIELD
GRANT
SCHAAF RD
MCCRACKEN
DR
MLK BLVD
DR MLK BLVD
KINSMAN
NOBLE
COVENTRY
FAIRMOUNT BLVD
SHAKER BLVD
BUCKEYE RD SOUTH WOODLAND
VAN AKEN BLVD
E 107
ST CLAIR
CHESTER
E 105th
CRAWFORD
JEFFERSON
QUIGLY
PERSHING
E 30
LAKE AV
CLIFTON
LAKE SHORE BLVD
LORAIN
DETROIT
N
S TAYLOR
East 131st Street Eastman
6 7
Fleet Fulton Garden Valley
8 9 10
Glenville Harvard- Lee Hough
11 12 13
Jefferson Langston Hughes Lorain
14 15 16
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial- Nottingham
17 18
South Brooklyn Union
West Park
Sterling
Walz Woodland
23 24 25
26 27 28
Collinwood
5
www. cpl. org
BRANCH LIBRARIES
Addresses and phone numbers
listed on page 12.
LIBRARY FOR THE
BLIND AND PHYSICALLY
HANDICAPPED
17121 Lake Shore Blvd.
( 216) 623- 2911
( 800) 362- 1262 Toll- free
MAIN LIBRARY
DEPARTMENTS
Audio- Video
( 216) 623- 2942
Business, Economics & Labor
( 216) 623- 2927
Children’s Literature
( 216) 623- 2834
Cleveland Research Center
( 216) 623- 2999
( Research for a Fee)
Fine Arts
( 216) 623- 2848
Foreign Literature
( 216) 623- 2895
General Reference
( 216) 623- 2856
Government Documents
( 216) 623- 2870
History
( 216) 623- 2864
Homebound Services
( 216) 623- 2842
Lending
( 216) 623- 2872
Literature
( 216) 623- 2881
Map Collection
( 216) 623- 2880
Microform Center
( 216) 623- 2910
Patents
( 216) 623- 2870
Periodical Center
( 216) 623- 2904
Photograph Collection
( 216) 623- 2871
Popular Library
( 216) 623- 2842
Public Administration Library
( 216) 623- 2919
Science & Technology
( 216) 623- 2932
Social Sciences
( 216) 623- 2860
Special Collections
( 216) 623- 2818
Telecommunications
Device for the Deaf ( TDD)
( 216) 623- 2916
1 2
Addison Broadway Brooklyn Carnegie West
3 4
Mt. Pleasant Rice Rockport South
19 20 21 22
Main Library
M
neighborhood libraries
Cleveland Public Library
Library for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped ( LBPH)
Located at 17121 Lake Shore Boulevard,
LBPH lends recorded and Brailled books
free of charge to anyone unable to read
conventional print because of a visual or
physical disability. Call ( 216) 623- 2911 or
( 800) 362- 1262 for more information.
The Eva L. and Joseph M. Bruening
Foundation Grant
A $ 30,000 grant from the Eva L. and Joseph M.
Bruening Foundation enabled us to provide criti-cal
support to blind and visually impaired users of
our new adaptive equipment. Funds were used to
hire a library assistant who provided one- on- one
training in the use of the equipment to staff and
patrons. A large- print brochure describing the
equipment was also developed.
Your Cleveland Public Library registered 1,663
blind and physically challenged readers for the
Talking Book Service.
With a few simple keystrokes, patrons with visual impairments can now “ surf ” the
Internet. During the year, LBPH established adaptive technology workstations in five
locations, including Eastman, Martin Luther King, Jr., South Brooklyn, Union, and Main
Library. With the aid of sophisticated software, patrons with visual impairments can have
online text read out loud using synthetic speech or magnified by the computer. The work-station
in the Main Library Children’s Literature Department features a Braille printer.
In June, the first meeting of the “ Talking Book Connection” book discussion group
took place. Geared to persons using the Talking Book Program, but open to all, the book
group meets monthly at the Main Library. ( The Talking Book Program is a service for
visually- impaired persons that is administered by the Library of Congress and provided
through LBPH.)
The Braille Read Together Program, begun in 1998, was expanded during the year.
This service pairs youngsters learning Braille with adults who already know it.
As part of an ongoing partnership, LBPH translated exhibit text at the Rainbow
Children’s Museum into Braille, making the museum’s exhibits more meaningful to a
whole new audience.
Delighted Library patrons explore the varied tex-tures
and scents of the newly expanded sensory
garden at the Library for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped.
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M. Main Library
325 Superior Avenue
( 216) 623- 2800
Public Administration
Library ( in City Hall)
601 Lakeside Avenue, Room 100
( 216) 623- 2919
1. Addison
6901 Superior Avenue
( 216) 623- 6906
2. Broadway
5417 Broadway Avenue
( 216) 623- 6913
3. Brooklyn
3706 Pearl Road
( 216) 623- 6920
4. Carnegie West
1900 Fulton Road
( 216) 623- 6927
5. Collinwood
856 East 152nd Street
( 216) 623- 6934
6. East 131st Street
3830 East 131st Street
( 216) 623- 6941
7. Eastman
11602 Lorain Avenue
( 216) 623- 6955
8. Fleet
7224 Broadway Avenue
( 216) 623- 6962
9. Fulton
3545 Fulton Road
( 216) 623- 6969
10. Garden Valley
7100 Kinsman Road
( 216) 623- 6976
11. Glenville
11900 St. Clair Avenue
( 216) 623- 6983
12. Harvard- Lee
16918 Harvard Avenue
( 216) 623- 6990
13. Hough
1566 Crawford Road
( 216) 623- 6997
14. Jefferson
850 Jefferson Avenue
( 216) 623- 7004
15. Langston Hughes
10200 Superior Avenue
( 216) 623- 6975
16. Lorain
8216 Lorain Avenue
( 216) 623- 7011
17. Martin Luther King, Jr.
1962 Stokes Boulevard
( 216) 623- 7018
18. Memorial- Nottingham
17109 Lake Shore Boulevard
( 216) 623- 7039
19. Mt. Pleasant
14000 Kinsman Road
( 216) 623- 7032
20. Rice
2820 East 116th Street
( 216) 623- 7046
21. Rockport
4421 West 140th Street
( 216) 623- 7053
22. South
3096 Scranton Road
( 216) 623- 7060
23. South Brooklyn
4303 Pearl Road
( 216) 623- 7067
24. Sterling
2200 East 30th Street
( 216) 623- 7074
25. Union
3463 East 93rd Street
( 216) 623- 7088
26. Walz
7910 Detroit Avenue
( 216) 623- 7095
27. West Park
3805 West 157th Street
( 216) 623- 7102
28. Woodland
5806 Woodland Avenue
( 216) 623- 7109
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The Buildings Department worked tirelessly throughout the year to keep
neighborhood branches in excellent condition. Upholstery, lights, and
draperies at Addison were replaced. Carnegie West received a new air condi-tioning
unit. The interior and exterior of South Brooklyn were refurbished.
Glenville and Fulton were re- painted and received new carpeting. Woodland
celebrated its fresh look— new windows, wall and floor coverings— with an
open house attended by 350 neighborhood residents.
In November, the Cleveland Chapter of the American Institute of
Architects ( AIA) awarded the Library the Kenneth Nobilio Award for Public
Architecture. The AIA cited the Library’s longstanding commitment to high
quality neighborhood branch architecture as the reason for the award.
Inspired by the highly anticipated return of football to Cleveland, 3,047
children completed the Summer Reading Club’s requirement to read ten books.
“ Spend the Dawg Days of Summer Reading” was the theme. Club participants
got a chance to tour the new Cleveland Browns Stadium with their families in
October. Broadway Branch rewarded readers with a 1950s- style “ sock hop,”
while Langston Hughes Branch held a neighborhood carnival.
Branch staff engaged more than 90,000 neighborhood residents in
story hours and programs throughout the year. Carnegie West planned
two months of Spanish programs in conjunction with Festival Hispano. Hough
held a workshop on kids with stress, enhancing self- esteem, and developing
career goals. Eastman presented “ Titanic,” an evening with Marjorie Thomas,
daughter of a survivor of the infamous disaster. Collinwood held a series of
chess programs for young adults. East 131 taught children the art of origami.
Four near- west side branches participated in Tremont School’s TASK
( Tremont Advocacy for School Kids) Read- a- Thon.
West Park enrolled 96 school kids in its third annual Halloween writing con-test.
Entries were judged on “ creativity, imagination, and overall scariness.” The
winners had a chance to read their work aloud at a writers’ reception.
Patrons enjoy a musical evening at
the Eastman Branch
Summer Reading Club carnival at
the Langston Hughes Branch
15
As the May 22 grand re- dedication of the renovated Main Building drew close, staff and
contractors worked furiously to ready the building for service. When the day arrived, a
bright red ribbon and bow, wrapped around both Main Library buildings, signified that the
work was complete. Cleveland’s “ gift” was ready to be unveiled. More than 600,000 books
had been moved into place, computers and telephones were operational, floors and windows
and fixtures gleamed, and the staff was ready to greet the public.
The May 21 gala preview was a glittering, though bittersweet, event. While party
goers were awed by the building’s exquisitely restored details and rich colors, the evening
was also a farewell to Director Marilyn Gell Mason, who had initiated the Main Library
Project back in 1988. Mrs. Mason had announced a year earlier her intention to leave
at the conclusion of the building project. The new Louis Stokes Wing, renovated Main
Building, and redesigned Eastman Reading Garden stand as a fitting tribute to Mrs.
Mason’s visionary leadership.
Despite a steady drizzle, an enthusiastic crowd of Library patrons had gathered around
the doors of Main Library the next morning to participate in the historic re- dedication
ceremony. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, a former Library Trustee, and
Congressman Dennis Kucinich rallied the crowd as the ribbon was cut and the front door
opened to the public for the first time since 1997. As the crowd streamed in, its attention
was directed to Brett Hall, the fabulously restored centerpiece of the building’s renovation.
Commanding immediate attention was William Sommer’s The City in 1833, whose newly-restored
vibrant colors dazzled the imagination once again, much as they had during the
Great Depression, when the mural was painted.
Most of the major improvements to the Main Building were not apparent to visitors.
Hidden behind restored walls and ceilings, the new electrical, plumbing, and heating and
air conditioning systems are what give the Building new life. In addition to being more
Mistress and Master of
Ceremonies, the Honorable
Stephanie Tubbs Jones
and the Honorable Dennis
J. Kucinich, U. S. House of
Representatives
The architects of the Main
Library Project take a bow:
Malcolm Holzman, Robert P.
Madison, Robert Harmicar,
Joel Schwarz, and Edwin J.
Williams, Jr.
Director Marilyn Gell Mason
welcomes the crowd at the Main
Library re- dedication gala.
A performance for
Hispanic Heritage Day
Children inspect Globe, by artists Anna
Arnold, George Bowes, and Lyneise Williams.
Globe is a gift of the Eaton Corporation.
14
Main Library was re- dedicated to the people
of Cleveland on May 22, 1999.
A gift to Cleveland The Mellow Harp Steel Band performs after the re- dedication ceremony.
Brett Hall, with William Sommer’s The City in 1833 in the background.
17
Library Guide Published
A 56- page color guide to the
Main Library complex made
it easy for visitors to learn
about the buildings’ unique
art, architecture, and collec-tions.
The booklet is sold in
the Friends’ Gift Shop and in
the Lending Department for
a nominal cost.
comfortable for patrons and staff, the renovated building’s preservation- friendly environ-mental
conditions help to extend the life of the Library’s important collections.
One major service improvement in the Main Building was the consolidation of the
Library’s massive collection of reference periodicals into one place. Instead of having to
travel from department to department, patrons now have “ one- stop shopping” access to
periodicals and newspapers, and to their back issues on microfilm.
Once the music from the opening week festivities faded, the routine work of the Main
Library departments resumed. Planning was begun during the year to convert the Library’s
much- used Necrology File into a digital format. Consisting mostly of paid death notices
dating back to the 1800s, this is an invaluable resource for genealogists. Once digitized, this
keyword- searchable file will be available on the Internet.
The Literature Department continued its partnerships with Playhouse Square Center,
Karamu, and Cleveland Play House, producing informational bookmarks and sponsoring
educational talks in support of theater productions. Based on this example, the Fine Arts
Department produced several bookmarks on exhibitions at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
The Photograph Guild held two well- attended lectures and produced three issues of the
Photograph Guild Newsletter. The Guild is an informal organization of photographers and
photography buffs sponsored by the Photograph Collection.
( left) Library friend Joan Sugarman announces
her establishment of the Cleveland Public
Library Children’s Biography Award in
honor of her late husband, Norman A. Sugarman,
and as a tribute to the outstanding work of three
former CPL children’s librarians. With her are
son, Joel S. Sugarman, and grandson, Mark
Sugarman. The first award will be made April 11,
2000, and will include a $ 5,000 prize.
( right) Children’s author Jim Aylesworth
helped the Library celebrate Mrs. Sugarman’s
announcement with a lively presentation.
Two photographic exhibitions gave visitors a glimpse into
the Main Library’s history and a behind- the- scenes look at its
renovation. Drawn from the Library’s extensive Archives, the
photographs traced the Main Library’s growth from a tiny room
in 1869 to the vital Cleveland institution it is today.
The Cleveland Public Library Children’s Biography Award
16
A weeklong celebration captivated Clevelanders
and heralded a new century of service.
The joyful sounds of the John Hay
Gospel Choir welcomed visitors to
the renovated Main Library on May
22. The celebration continued with
storytelling by Madame Griotte,
a visit by ArthurTM— the beloved
storybook character — and music
by the Cleveland Kiltie Band.
( top) Enjoying the new Family
Learning Connection toys.
The Collection
Unique Titles 2,318,147
Book Volumes— Main 2,133,824
Book Volumes— Branches 671,484
TOTAL 2,805,308
Bound Periodicals 286,434
Computer Media ( CR ROM, Software) 10,088
Government Documents 799,217
Maps 163,706
Microforms 4,353,429
Paperbacks 229,011
Photographs, pictures 1,384,834
Rare Books 24,188
Sheet Music 17,800
Sound Recordings 131,534
Video cassettes,
Digital Video Discs ( DVDs) 74,344
19
Recognizing the historic and artistic importance of its artworks, the Library continues to assess and restore the
murals, paintings, and sculptures from its collection. The most significant work whose restoration was completed
during the year was William Sommer’s The City in 1833, which hangs in Brett Hall at Main Library. Completed in
1934 as part of the New Deal PWAP ( Public Works of Art Project), this large mural received a complete restoration
at the Intermuseum Conservation Center in Oberlin. The mural was cleaned, consolidated, and stabilized in an
intensive eight- month period of work by a team of professional painting conservators. Sommer’s original color
dynamics, previously masked by sixty years of grime, were revealed in their true brilliance: dull beige became
bright yellow, somber earth tones proved to be glowing pinks and brilliant reds. The mural regained its luster from
the vitality of these true colors. The re- installation of the mural was choreographed as carefully as a ballet per-formance,
and took a full week to complete. The conservators who performed the treatment agreed that it was the
greatest challenge of their professional careers.
The Intermuseum Conservation Center also restored Donald Bayard’s Early Transportation ( Cleveland’s Waterfront
about 1835), which hangs in the second floor lobby of Main Library and is pictured on page 16 of this report.
A Treasure Restored: The Sommer mural
A preserved theater program
18
Your Library added 281,546 volumes
to the collection.
Your Cleveland Public Library
loaned 256,745 books to other
library systems.
African- American Families Photograph Collection,
Graves- Donet Family Photograph Collection
Imogene Wormley ( Group Photo with Friends)
Washington, D. C., 1888
Collection Development Highlights. Eleven families donated more than 350 images
to the Photograph Collection’s newly established African- American Families Photograph
Collection. Created to enhance the Library’s holdings of images of African- American history,
life and culture, this collection is a valuable resource for genealogists, researchers, and
students. For information or to inquire about a donation, call the Photograph Collection
at ( 216) 623- 2871.
Mr. Joseph Erdelac donated the personal library of Cleveland artist William Sommer
( 1867- 1949) to Special Collections. This important artist’s library was photographed and
rehoused by the Preservation Department. A Web- based inventory of the collection is
in progress.
Treasures acquired for Special Collections included the world chronicle, Fasciculus
Temporum, written by Werner Rolevinck and published in Venice in 1480; a 1670 edition
of Le Fevre’s Destruction of Troy; Luca Pulci’s Medici romance, Opera nobilissima damore
chiamata Driadeo ( 1506); and a 19th- century scrapbook of images of the folklore, costumes,
and customs of India.
Preservation Highlight: The Cleveland Theater Programs. Rescuing important
local materials is one of the most important activities of the Library’s Preservation
Department, which was established as an early component of the Main Library expansion
and renovation project. Even with the advantages of modern temperature and humidity
control, many of the Library’s important works continue to deteriorate because of the poor
quality of paper on which they were printed.
By the mid 1990s, many of the Literature Department’s Cleveland theater programs
had begun to deteriorate. This collection documents Cleveland theater from 1883 to 1935,
when live theater was the principal form of public entertainment. A comprehensive project
was begun in 1994 to catalog, microfilm, and conserve these materials. Microfilming was
done by the Northeast Document Conservation Center ( NEDCC), in Andover,
Massachusetts. Treatment was performed both by the Library’s Preservation Department
and by NEDCC. Programs were cleaned, bathed to reduce acidity, and repaired. The most
fragile materials were encapsulated between sheets of clear polyester and then rebound. A
comprehensive listing of performances was compiled. The theaters represented include the
Ohio and State which continue to operate today.
The Audio- Video Department’s survey of the top
50 African- American films made between 1950
and 1998 was a huge success thanks to the many
Library patrons who voted for their favorite
movies. Eligible films either were made by an
African- American director or feature an African-
American character. The list is available through
the Library’s Web site: www. cpl. org.
Major Main Library
Re- dedication Sponsors
National City Bank
Forest City Enterprises
The Plain Dealer
Turner Construction
Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Bank One
BP Amoco
Choice Construction Company, Inc.
ColeJon Corporation
Eslich Wrecking Company
Ozanne Construction
Main Library Public Art
Project Sponsors
The Cleveland Foundation
Eaton Corporation
Friends of the Cleveland
Public Library
George Gund Foundation
KeyBank
Ohio Arts Council
Annual Report Credits
PHOTOGRAPHY. The following photographers’ work was used in this
publication: Rodney Brown, Diana McNees, Eric Hanson, Thomas Darryl
Polk, Mort Tucker, Don Snyder, Cervin Robinson, and Howard Agriesti
WRITER & PUBLICATION MANAGER. Michael Ruffing
DESIGNER. Pam Cerio
SPECIAL THANKS to the Carnegie West Branch staff and to their young
patrons who helped make the cover photographs possible.
Hired by Director Linda Anne Eastman way back in
1927, Lucy Ciccerci was with the Library for more
than half of its 130 years, most recently as a clerk at
the Brooklyn Branch. Here, Board Member Frances
Hunter presents Ms. Ciccerci with a retirement citation
for her years of dedicated service. We will miss her
cheerful personality.
Seventy- Two Years
of Service
Special Thanks
More than 700 men and women work to make the Cleveland Public
Library one of the nation’s best library systems. Special thanks go to
this fine and dedicated staff.
Administration
Andrew A. Venable, Jr., Director, from June 4
Marilyn Gell Mason, Director, through June 3
Sari Feldman, Deputy Director, from October 3
Head of Community Services, through October 2
Joan L. Clark, Head of Main Library
Joan F. Brown, Head of Human Resources
Robert T. Carterette, Head of Automation Services
Norbert R. Harnegie, Facilities Manager
Michael A. Janero, Chief of Security
Alan A. A. Seifullah, Head of Marketing and Public Relations
Donald A. Tipka, Head of Technical Services
Joan L. Tomkins, Head of Financial Services
Friends of The Cleveland Public Library
J. Stefan Holmes, President
Rosalyn Sievila, Vice President
David S. Lu, Treasurer
Richard Gildenmeister, Secretary
Nancy Mahoney and Mary Scelsi, Co- Directors
Since 1957, the Friends of the Cleveland Public Library, Inc., has gener-ously
supported the Library’s mission. In addition to providing financial
support for special events, Friends have conducted dozens of book sales,
operated the Gift Shop, guided tours, sponsored the Eugenia Thornton
Scholarship program, and advocated for Library issues. Call the
Friends at ( 216) 623- 2821 and become a member today!
Library employees contributed $ 20,391
to United Way and $ 10,359 to Community
Shares in 1999.
20
Tax Revenues
Local Library and Government Support Fund ( State of Ohio) $ 27,183,864
General Property Tax Levy 17,964,519
Investment Earnings 923,759
Services to Contracting Libraries 1,657,392
State Aid 2,938,135
Fines and Fees 563,646
Miscellaneous Receipts and Refunds 331,979
Total Receipts $ 51,563,294
Fund Balance: January 1, 1999 4,664,440
Available for General Operations $ 56,227,734
How Library Dollars Were Spent
Each year many individuals make gifts to the Library to show their appreciation for its services or to honor a loved one
in a meaningful way. Each gift is greatly appreciated and enhances our ability to provide quality library service.
Gifts, Bequests, and Grants Over $ 5,000 Received in 1999
Grants
The Eva L. and Joseph M. Bruening Foundation. $ 30,000 for Library for the
Blind and Physically Handicapped— Adaptive Technology Project
Carnegie Corporation of New York. $ 500,000 for an Early Childhood Initiative
U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. $ 500,000 for distance
learning and computer centers at three branches, in honor of Congressman
Louis Stokes
The Cyrus Eaton Foundation. $ 10,000 for enhancements to the Children’s
Literature Department
The Cleveland Foundation. $ 13,000 for the Writers- In- Residence Program
Other Funds Received Regularly
Friends of the Cleveland Public Library. $ 26,500 for program support
Frederick W. and Henryett Slocum Judd Fund. $ 149,720 for Homebound Service
Estate of Anna M. Schweinfurth. $ 14,238 for the purchase of architecture materials
Winifred Beech Young Testamentary Trust. $ 49,134 for services to blind and
physically handicapped residents of the Connecticut Western Reserve
Gifts and Bequests
Estate of Irene Kraley $ 52,170
The total bequest from this estate,
including funds received in 1997
and 1998, amounts to $ 252,170
Estate of Mary Elizabeth Crabtree $ 27,984
Estate of Nancy M. Bozicevich $ 207,857
General Operating Fund Receipts
Expenditures and Encumbrances
Salaries and Benefits $ 27,466,707
Capital Outlay 1,047,133
Transfers 5,418,004
Office and Maintenance Supplies 1,183,037
Miscellaneous Expenditures 106,405
Utilities and Purchased Services 8,489,269
Library Materials 11,459,757
Total Expenditures During the Year $ 55,170,312
Carried Forward for First Quarter Operations 1,057,422
$ 56,227,734