Annual report of the Cleveland Public Library for 2004

              Making the Grade
Cleveland Public Library
2004 A N N U A L
R E P O R T
J O S H
D E V O N
C H R I S
L A T A S H A
M A R I O
W I L L I A M
B E T S I
Cleveland Public Library
325 Superior Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44114 - 1271
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PA I D
Cleveland, OH
Permit No. 408
Comments from Board President
Charlene A. Jones
Charlene A. Jones
President
1
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as President of the Board of
Library Trustees. This year provided the Library with both challenges and
opportunities as we moved forward in putting our Strategic Plan into action
and “ making the grade.”
Our 2004 annual report continues to chronicle the Library’s progress,
growth, and development. However, it is also a reporting of more than facts
and figures. It is a report to the community that highlights an exciting year
featuring people, programs, and partnerships.
Cleveland Public Library is at the center of our neighborhood communities,
linking with organizations to form strong partnerships. These unique bonds
enrich our ability to attract new users to your Library’s resources and informa-tion,
and new audiences to our programs and special events.
As President of the Board of Library Trustees, and on behalf of my fellow
trustees, I want to thank the Library staff for their continued professionalism
and courtesy to all of the people we serve. Our commitment today is to continue
the Library’s tradition of excellence, and to do all that is possible to provide you
with the best possible service.
Charlene A. Jones
President
The Friends of the Cleveland Public Library held their
“ Passport to Treasures” event, which helps support
the Main Library’s special collections. Attending the
event ( left to right) Honorary event chairs retired U. S.
Congressman Louis Stokes and Mary Louise Hahn;
CPL Trustee, Thomas D. Corrigan; Friends of CPL Board
member and event co- chair, Meryl Levin; President of
CPL Board of Trustees, Charlene A. Jones; Friends of CPL
Board member and event co- chair, Lute Harmon. El día de los niños/ El día de los libros is a national literacy
event held annually in April. Families at the Carnegie West
Branch celebrated the day by planting flowers, weaving baskets,
making tortillas, and listening to live music.
Author Mark Winegardner ( center)
appeared at our Sunday Afternoons
for Writers and Readers series.
Two young women enjoy ( top center)
Teen Read Week, one of our special
programs for teens.
Members of the
Board of Library Trustees
Robert C. Petrulis
Vice President
Through June 2004
John M. Moss Vita C. Redding Kevin J. Kelley
Beginning June 2004
Sandra E. Noble
Secretary
Venerine L. Branham
Thomas D. Corrigan
The People’s University:
Striving For Excellence
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.
MI S S ION S TAT EMENT
of “ The People’s University” is to be the
learning place for a diverse community,
inspiring people of all ages with the love
of books and reading, advancing the
pursuit of knowledge, and enhancing the
quality of life for all who use the Library.
Vision
Area teens started the Anime Mania Club to explore and
celebrate their interest in anime, or Japanese animated
films, and manga, Japanese comics. Their group meets
monthly, and this year they helped bring the first Anime
Film Festival to the Main Library. Read about other teen
clubs formed for teens, by teens on page 17.
A N I M E M A N I A
Through our strategic planning
process, we learned that you highly
value and use neighborhood library
services. Cleveland Public Library
programs for our city’s diverse
communities of new Americans.
In addition to these improvements,
we also restructured the Library
system into three regional team
clusters— West, Central, and East.
This significant structural change
allows us to better serve you
and the unique needs of your
neighborhood.
This 2004 annual report is
our report to you; it demonstrates
that we are “ making the grade.”
So far we have achieved high
marks. Through our strategic
planning process, we learned that
you highly value and use neigh-borhood
library services. With this
in mind, we plan to accomplish
even more in the coming years.
Making
the Grade
The Jackson family enthusiasti-cally
volunteers time each week
by facilitating the East 131st
Street T. E. E. N. S. at their
Branch. One of your Library’s
objectives is to increase programs
and services for young people in
their neighborhood library. The
Jacksons are helping us achieve
this goal in their community.
3
In 2002 we listened when you—
members of our Greater Cleveland
community— told us what you
appreciate and want more of
from your neighborhood library.
At that time, we embarked on a
twelve- month strategic planning
process. People from the commu-nity
and the Library were included
in this process. We hosted a lead-ership
advisory panel, six town
hall meetings, 18 patron focus
groups, and conducted a system-wide
patron survey. We gathered
input from our Board and staff,
and consultants specializing in
library planning, security, and
demographics. And in December
of 2002 Cleveland Public Library’s
Board of Trustees approved a
Strategic Plan— a blueprint for the
future of “ The People’s University.”
Last year we celebrated our
success and offered our gratitude
to you for your support at the
polls. The passage of Issue 2 in
May 2003 ensures that your
Library will continue to enrich
Cleveland’s neighborhoods and
pilot forward- thinking projects
that will be emulated throughout
the country.
This year we began to put our
Strategic Plan into action. We
increased our hours at several
neighborhood Branches offering
Saturday hours year round. We
also created more special services
for young people and senior
citizens, increased the number of
computers and computer training
classes, and developed new
Message from the Director
2
Our special focus on the delivery of Books, Information, and Service suited to the needs
of our community connects us in positive ways to our patrons and partners who regularly
express their satisfaction with “ The People’s University.” To the families of Cleveland, we
are welcomed as a beacon of hope; as Library Ambassadors we reach out to help and serve
children, teens, parents, and seniors. We listen, plan, and share ideas in an atmosphere of
outreach and innovation, and we recognize the importance of your feedback and support.
Our leadership team welcomed Holly Carroll as Deputy Director on August 2, 2004.
She is making significant contributions to the growth of Cleveland Public Library and
implementation of our Strategic Plan.
A major initiative was realized on April 7 when we upgraded our automation system
and migrated from DRA Classic to Sirsi Unicorn. The change affects all 32- member
libraries of our CLEVNET automation consortium. CLEVNET, the only service of its kind
in America’s public libraries, reaches approximately 20 percent of Ohio’s population.
On May 25, we partnered with Cuyahoga County Public Library, NOLA Regional
Library System, and CLEVNET to launch a statewide virtual reference service
that expanded our acclaimed KnowItNow24x7 online virtual reference tool to every
Ohio resident.
On December 19, NBC Nightly News featured our introduction of eBooks and
downloadable audio books.
For the first time in 40 years, 18 of our 28 Neighborhood Branches opened on Saturdays
during the summer from 9: 30 a. m. to 6: 00 p. m., keeping our commitment to providing
Saturday hours year- round.
We salute our Library Ambassadors ( staff, trustees, Friends of Cleveland Public Library,
and community partners) for their commitment, dedication, and for lending their creativity
to the third largest public research library in America.
Thank you Cleveland for supporting and using Cleveland Public Library, “ The
People’s University.”
Andrew A. Venable, Jr.
Director
The Staff Holiday Chorus
gave its eighth annual
performance in the Louis
Stokes Wing Auditorium of
Main Library for more than
300 people. The chorus
was formed in 1997 and is
comprised of Library staff
under the direction of
Andrew A. Venable, Jr.
The Mobile Library — in its third full year of operation—
continues to offer access to the Library by adding to the
number of stops it makes around Cleveland.
( top) Cleveland’s own Antwone Fisher
was the featured author for the 2004
Northcoast Neighbors Share A Book
program.
( left) On October 21, many people
joined in celebration of the 100 year
anniversary of the Hough Branch.
5
Cindy Orr, Head of the Collection
Management Department, received the
2004 Margaret E. Monroe Award for
her outstanding contributions to adult
library services. The Reference and User
Services Association division of the
American Library Association presented
this prestigious annual award to Ms. Orr
at their July conference.
Holly Carroll joined our leadership team as Deputy Director
on August 2. Ms. Carroll has more than twenty- five years of
experience working in public libraries. Before joining the
staff of Cleveland Public Library, Ms. Carroll was the Director
of the Willoughby- Eastlake Public Library. She served as
President of the Ohio Library Association in 2000, and is
Chapter Councilor of the American Library Association
( 2004- 2006). Ms. Carroll is also an instructor at Kent State
University’s School of Library and Information Science.
“ Letters About Literature” was a contest sponsored by the National Center for the Book at the Library of Congress. The Cleveland Public
Library, home of the Ohio Center for the Book, participated in the contest, which involved having students grades four through twelve
each write a personal letter to an author, living or deceased, explaining how the author’s work changed
their way of thinking about the world. The Ohio Center for the Book received 900 of these letters from all over the state,
more than double the number of letters submitted last year. Three Ohio winners each received a $ 100 cash prize and gift certificates to
Barnes & Noble and Target.
OHIO CENTER FOR THE BOOK
LETTERS ABOUT LITERATURE
Antwone Fisher
Cleveland’s own Antwone Fisher was part of a kick- off event
featuring his highly acclaimed memoir, Finding Fish. There was a
presentation by Color Guard, and the Boys Choir of the Cleveland
School of the Arts also performed. Young people read excerpts
from Fisher’s book, and several neighborhood Branches screened
the film Antwone Fisher throughout the year.
4
During our strategic planning process, we
learned a great deal about you, our patrons.
The consistent message was neighborhood
library services are valued and used. The
fact that the Branch Libraries are conve-niently
located within one mile of most
residents, as well as being close to schools
and neighborhood businesses is key to
providing services to you where you live,
work, and raise your family.
This year, in order to better serve you
and your neighbors, we restructured the
Cleveland Public Library system. Three
team clusters— West, Central, and East—
were created and are each headed by a
neighborhood team manager. Team
managers work with Branch managers to
purchase books and materials and offer
programs and services that reflect the
needs and interests of the people in your
community.
Delivering the Best
For the first time since 1960 we opened
neighborhood Branches on Saturdays dur-ing
the summer, adding 148 hours to the
schedule. We also added more than 45 new
staff members to our Branches, including
librarians specializing in children and
young adult literature- based programming
and literacy initiatives.
Where They Live
Services to Our Patrons
West: Carnegie West, Brooklyn, Eastman, Fulton, Lorain, Rockport, South Brooklyn, Walz, West Park
Central: Broadway, Fleet, Garden Valley, Jefferson, Rice, Sterling, South, Union, Woodland
East: Addison, Collinwood, East 131 Street, Glenville, Harvard- Lee, Hough, Langston Hughes, Martin Luther King, Jr.,
Memorial- Nottingham, Mt. Pleasant
In addition to Saturday hours
and additional staff, we are
implementing the Library’s
vision to improve services to
Cleveland neighborhoods.”
Melda English, Neighborhood Team
Manager— West
“
Our city’s downtown region is the fastest grow-ing
residential population. The Main Library is
the neighborhood Branch for residents of
Cleveland’s most urban district. This summer
the Main Library hosted a downtown block
party, which was held in the Eastman Reading
Garden. Attending the event ( center photo, left
to right) were Joe Cimperman, Ward 13
Councilman; a Library patron; Chris Ronayne,
City of Cleveland; Holly Carroll, Deputy Director;
and Andrew A. Venable, Jr., Director.
Main Library Serves as a Branch for
the Downtown Neighborhood
Neigborhood Teams
Finding Fish Northcoast Neighbors Share A Book
Programs Celebrating Cleveland’s
Cultural Diversity
7
Patrons borrowed more
than 5 million items.
And more than 2 million
questions were answered.
More
than 248,000 items
were added to the collection.
More than 3.7 million people
visited a Cleveland Public Library.
In celebration of Chinese Lunar New
Year, the Lion Dance was performed at
the Louis Stokes Wing Auditorium of the
Main Library.
The Community Enjoys the Collection
In collaboration with the Special Collections Department
at Cleveland State University, our Photograph Collection
mounted an online exhibit of 232 photographs of the
Cleveland Cultural Gardens at the Cleveland Memory
Project website ( www. clevelandmemory. org).
( above) Cleveland Cultural Gardens, Rockefeller Park,
Grecian Garden, 1943. Photographer: Oscar P. Harke
Titles 2,005,549
Book Volumes— Main 2,457,993
Book Volumes— Branches 711,186
TOTAL 3,169,179
Bound Periodicals 268,364
Computer Media ( CD- ROM, Software) 6,613
Government Documents 812,137
Maps 175,380
Microforms 4,520,102
Paperbacks 146,517
Photographs, Pictures 1,381,424
Sheet Music 18,000
Sound Recordings ( CDs, Cassettes) 146,168
Videos, DVDs 117,465
COLLECTION STATISTICS
Rollo and Reed Map Restored
The engraved Rollo and Reed map of the Western Reserve was restored
this year by the Intermuseum Conservation Association. The map includes text
on the history of the Western Reserve and the Firelands regions of Ohio, and each
county is hand colored in watercolor.
6
One of the key initiatives of the Cleveland
Public Library’s strategic plan is to expand
our outreach and resources to new
Americans. People from Cleveland’s
neighborhoods value and use the services
of “ The People’s University,” but others
come from all corners of the state— from
as far away as Youngstown, Toledo, and
Columbus— to borrow books written in
Russian, Arabic, Vietnamese, French,
German, Hungarian, Polish, Chinese,
Spanish, and many other languages.
This year a New Americans Committee
was formed to help expand programs and
purchase materials, and to acquire and
install Spanish language signage at ten
Branches. The committee received a
$ 1,000 grant from the MetLife Foundation
for young adult programs, and assisted in
the purchase of more than $ 100,000 in new
library materials for adults and children
in Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, Russian,
Ukrainian, Somali, and Chinese. They also
provided 106 hours of programs, contests,
and events at the Main Library and at
thirteen neighborhood Branches.
Your Library features programs and
events celebrating Chinese Lunar
New Year, African- American History
Month, and Hispanic Heritage Month.
Neighborhood Branches frequently
hold events with their unique communities
in mind.
Programs, Services,
Our Diverse Community
and Collections for
“ The New Americans Committee is dedicated to serving the needs
of our city’s new immigrants. We also create programs that
explore the varied cultures present in Greater Cleveland.”
— Milos Markovic, Co- chair, New Americans Committee
EXAMPLES OF PURCHASES
TO EXPAND THE HISPANIC
COMMUNITY AND NEW
AMERICANS COLLECTIONS
Fiction in many popular foreign
languages purchased to allow
greater variety of selection to
patrons of those cultures.
Popular non- fiction titles and
dictionaries in foreign languages
such as Spanish, Hindi, Arabic,
and Russian made available for
patron checkout.
Guides to American citizenry and
English as a second language
purchased to assist immigrants
interested in those topics.
Audio and video materials
relating to learning
English purchased for
patron checkout.
Children’s fiction in many
languages such as Spanish,
Ukrainian, Somali, and Chinese
made available to assist
children in learning to read.
Thousands of VHS and DVD titles
in Hindi, Spanish, Polish,
and various Asian and African
languages, to provide
persons of those cultures
with entertainment.
Library patrons Marlo Marín, and
her sons Joshua and Enrique
Capeles at the South Branch.
9
Sunday Afternoons for
Writers and Readers
More than 1,900 patrons attended
the Sunday Afternoons for Writers and Readers series.
One way to inspire people to keep reading
is to give them access to the creative writ-ers
who stir emotions, stimulate thinking,
and enlighten and inform them on new
and interesting topics. We continued our
popular Sunday Afternoons for Writers and
Readers series, bringing activist, rapper,
and writer Sister Souljah, media personality
Tony Brown, icon of American cinema
Peter Bogdanovich, and best- selling author
Alice Hoffman to the Main Library’s Louis
Stokes Wing Auditorium. In honor of
Hispanic Heritage Month, Chilean novelist
Isabel Allende visited the Main Library on
October 19. Allende’s novels, which deal
with the complexities of the human condi-tion,
are centered on Chile, the country in
which she was raised.
Beginning in 2003, your Cleveland
Public Library began receiving an annual
grant from the Lockwood Thompson Fund
of The Cleveland Foundation. Part of
the annual grant award is designated for
lecture series and musical concerts
celebrating the Library’s founding. These
new programs will begin in 2005.
Connecting People to Books
Sister Souljah, author, rapper, activist, and lecturer, drew
more than 800 people to the Louis Stokes Wing in February.
Sister Souljah’s books No Disrespect and The Coldest
Winter Ever are among the most requested at Cleveland
Public Library.
( page 8, clockwise starting at left)
The Bystander, a beautifully designed local publication from the 1930s
Dan River Inc., 1976 Annual Report
Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Co., 1948 Annual Report
The Adventures of Bobby the Bold, 1827
The New Wizard of Oz, 1903 edition
Slinky patent sheet
Havasupai Mother and Child, 1914 ( photographed for Rodman Wanamaker,
attributed to Joseph K. Dixon)
Library Patrons examine one of the “ treasures” at the Friends
of the Cleveland Public Library Fundraiser.
Tony Brown
Every year since 2000 the Friends of the
Cleveland Public Library have organized
an event to raise funds for the Library
and to increase awareness about the
organization and how it supports the Library.
This November they hosted a phenomenal,
large- scale affair to draw attention to the Library’s special collections. The event, appropriately
titled “ Treaures: A Tour of the Special Collections of the Cleveland Public Library,” featured seven
collections, including unique and rare items such as a hand- printed book designed, illustrated,
and signed by Frank Lloyd Wright, early editions of The Wizard of Oz,
Little Women, and Treasure Island, original maps of the Western Reserve,
and photographs of the 1923 Cleveland Baseball Club. The “ Treasures”
event incited interest and excitement about the range of historic objects
that are held by the Cleveland Public Library. The Main Library is home to
some of the community’s most unique and cherished “ treasures.”
8
Schweinfurth House
Collection
Cleveland architect Richard Van Petten donated a significant collection of photographs,
plans, drawings, and documents relating to the residence of one of Cleveland’s most
important architects, Charles Friedrich Schweinfurth. This gift is particularly significant
because the Cleveland Public Library previously received Schweinfurth’s collection,
which includes 800 volumes from the late architect’s personal library.
The Charles F. Schweinfurth Architecture Collection is supported through a trust
fund established through the bequest of Mrs. Charles ( Anna M.) Schweinfurth. Each
year, income from the Anna M. Schweinfurth Trust provides the Library with funds to
purchase important and rare architecture books and research materials. Photos from the Schweinfurth House Collection including
19th century images of the exterior and bedroom ( left and top)
and the living room as it appeared in 1976.
Unveiled
at Annual Friends of the
Schweinfurth built Schweinfurth House, located
on East 75th Street, in 1894 and lived there until
his death in 1919. From 1929 to 1969 the house
was used as the William L. Wagner and Son
Funeral Home, and in 1970 Richard Van Petten
and Dale Smith purchased and restored the house,
making it their home. The National Park Service
entered Schweinfurth House in The National
Register of Historic Places in 1973; in 1974 the
Cleveland Landmarks Commission designated it
as a Historical Architectural Landmark.
Cleveland Public Library Fundraiser
Treasures
Alice Hoffman
Isabel Allende
Mark Winegardner
Sister Souljah
Peter Bogdanovich
11
On January 15, a kick- off event ( photos
above) with many activities was held to
begin the celebration of Martin Luther King,
Jr. Day. Pictured above right ( left to right)
Jeff Johnson, Director of City of Cleveland
Community Relations Board; Andrew A.
Venable, Jr., Director; Rev. Jessie Harris,
Chaplain of Cleveland Police Department; and
B. R. I. C. K. program member Timothy Wayne
Roberts, Jr.
Members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity with
Julian M. Earls ( center), Director of the
NASA Glenn Research Center, the featured
guest at the Martin Luther King, Jr.
Commemorative Program held on January
19 at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch.
Celebrating
MLK, Jr. Day
Programs and Activities
are Ongoing in Our
Neighborhood Branches:
Book Clubs for children, teens, and adults,
including the popular African- American
Harambee Book Club
Holiday story and craft programs
Resume writing and interviewing workshops
Voter Registration
PrimeTime Afterschool Programs for Teens
such as Y. O. U. ( Youth Opportunities
Unlimited) Employability Skill Training and
Career Preparation
Free tax preparation by the Internal Revenue
Service, American Association of Retired
Persons, and the Central Collection Agency
Used book sales
Employment Resource Center for
unemployed people
4- H Garden Club
GED preparation classes
Minding Our Own Business, a summer camp
focusing on entrepreneurial skills for teens
Meeting rooms available to the community
Your Branch Library serves as a center
of activity and as a site for quick and easy
access to printed, digital, and online infor-mation.
The librarians and staff at your
Branch know your neighborhood. Under
the Library’s new structure, three regional
team managers work with the manager in
your Branch to bring materials and services
that are tailored to your community. This
new structure will help make service at
your Branch even more efficient.
The Cleveland Public Library was
selected as one of ten library systems in
the country to participate in “ Be well
informed@ your library,” a program
sponsored by the American Library
Association and Walgreens Pharmacy.
The free seminars, which were held at
the Fleet, Harvard- Lee, South Brooklyn,
South, and Memorial- Nottingham
Branches, provided information on the
new Medicare Drug Card to individuals
dependent upon Medicare. “ Be well
informed@ your library” also addressed
topics such as managing the cost of
medicine, best use of over- the- counter
medication, and educated people on
health issues related to diabetes, asthma,
and heart disease.
Programs
5,900 programs at CPL were attended
by more than 91,000 Library patrons.
CPL conducted more than 1,100 programs
in schools, daycare centers,
and community centers.
South Brooklyn Branch Memorial- Nottingham Branch
Be well informed@ your library” was held
in December at five Branches. Walgreens
Pharmacy and the American Library
Association supported the national health
education series.
“
10
A serenely beautiful painting titled Palace Portico, was installed
over the fireplace at the West Park Branch. The identity of the
artist who created the work of art had been a mystery for many
years while the painting was in storage. After reviewing old photos
of the Branches, the staff of the Library’s Preservation Office
recognized the painting in a photo of the Brooklyn Branch. While
Palace Portico was being restored, conservators found a partial
signature of artist Ora Coltman, who had given paintings to the
Carnegie branches that he helped build.
One of the most heavily used resources at the Library, the Cleveland City Directories offer a treasure- trove
of information for researchers and historians delving into the city’s past. Popular research topics include
addresses and occupations of ancestors, historical advertising, property listings by address ( starting in 1929),
and brief information on businesses.
Because of their popularity, the directories
require ongoing preservation treatment. In 2004,
the Preservation Office initiated a program
to repair each volume. Many of the larger
volumes are being separated into two or three
smaller volumes to increase ease of use and
decrease wear and tear on the original pages.
at the Hough Branch
Celebrating
The Neigborhood Library Digital Photo Collection
includes 500 images documenting the Branches
throughout the Cleveland Public Library’s
135- year history. The Cleveland Public Library
Archives and the Preservation Office collaborated
to create this digital photo collection.
The Hough Branch celebrated 100 years of
service to people in the Hough community. In
June 1904 the Library opened a sub- branch in
Hough, which included 1,200 books housed in
a commercial building. In 1907 the Carnegie
Fund enabled the Library to build a new branch
on Crawford Road. A new building, which was
dedicated on October 21, 1984, replaced the
1907 Carnegie structure.
100 Years of Service
Historic City
Directories
AN OVERVIEW
OF THE LIBRARY’S CITY
DIRECTORY HOLDINGS
Carnegie West Branch, ca 1910
Carl B. Stokes at the Hough Branch, 1968
South Branch, ca 1911
Sterling Branch, 1915
( left to right) William Bradford, Manager Hough Branch; Jan Ridgeway,
Head of Branches and Outreach Services; Antoinette Lamar and Lindy
Wheeler, Branches and Outreach Services staff members.
Illustrations from the Library’s
City Directory holdings, 1888;
and bound volume ( left), 1964.
Cleveland City & Suburban Directories,
1837- 1980
Comprehensive collection including the
Cleveland City Directory ( 1837- 1977), Cleveland
East Suburban Directory ( 1964- 79), Cleveland
West Suburban Directory ( 1964- 80) and
individual directories for Cleveland suburbs as
published between 1939 and 1974.
Ohio City Directories, 1819- 1960
An extensive collection, starting with the 1819
Cincinnati City Directory and ending with the
1960 directories for several Ohio cities.
U. S. City Directories, 1665- 1860
Comprehensive collection including every city
directory published in the U. S. before 1860,
starting with a 1665 directory for New York City.
U. S. City Directories, 1861- 1883
Select directories for major U. S. cities.
For more information, contact the
History & Geography Department
at ( 216) 623- 2864, or E- mail History@ cpl. org.
Neighborhood Branch
Library Digital Photo
Collection
Partnerships
The People’s University on Wheels
provides Library access to those
who are home
or neighborhood
bound.
13
The “ People’s University on Wheels” continued to bring the Library’s resources
to people in the neighborhoods in which they live. This year four new stops were
added to the Mobile Library’s route— Spring Villa Apartments at 4330 Jennings
Road, Cogswell Hall, located at 7200 Franklin Boulevard, the Notre Dame
Academy apartments at 1325 Ansel Road, and the Riverpark Apartments,
located at 19350 Puritas Avenue. The addition of these four sites raised the
total number of Mobile Library stops to 37.
made 611 stops
In its third full year of operation,
welcomed 9,482 people on board
answered 6,439 reference questions
and 5,765 directional questions
processed 252 library card applications
The Mobile Library participated in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade ( above). The Mobile
Library was also part of The Winter Reading Club Family Day at the Zoo, the Senior
Information Fair, Sankofa Fine Art Expo, Parade the Circle, Puerto Rican Festival,
Luke Easter Park African- American Festival, and the Arthur’s World event at the
Western Reserve Historical Society.
the Mobile Library
The Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
( LBPH) held a birthday party for Louis Braille, creator
of the well- known system of writing that is read by visually
impaired people. The party also gave LBPH staff the oppor-tunity
to raise awareness about the Braille Read Together
Program, which encourages the reading of Braille. Party
guests were entertained and educated by an actor playing
Louis Braille, who explained how and why Braille invented
the Braille code, which is used internationally. Party guests
joined Library Director Andrew A. Venable, Jr. in a spirited
rendition of “ Happy Birthday,” and cake was served.
Each year the Library for the Blind
and Physically Handicapped ( LBPH)
hosts the Family Fun and
Learning Day, which gives patrons
the opportunity to catch up with old
friends and learn new methods of
accessing information.
The IVocalize room project allows LBPH to digitally connect
regional computer users with people from throughout the world.
Dr. Joseph Kelley, Chair of the Religious Studies Department
at John Carroll University, engaged a diverse group of interna-tional
readers in a discussion on The Da Vinci Code. Another
online discussion, led by Ms. Janell Brown of the Ohio School
for the Blind ( OSB), featured The Polar Express. Students
from OSB enjoyed a lively discussion on the true meaning of
Christmas with students from the Perkins School for the Blind
in Massachusetts.
Cleveland Public Library
Ohio
Perkins School for the Blind
Massachusetts
Ohio School for the Blind
Ohio
Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
AccessAbility
12
In 2004 “ The People’s University”
continued to create and maintain new
programs and services for people of all ages
and abilities. In 2002, with the support of
the Senior Success Vision Council, we
began working on a web- based project to
meet information technology needs of
senior citizens. Out of this endeavor
came The Senior Gateway Web Initiative,
which was launched last year and is man-aged
by the Cleveland Public Library.
SeniorsConnect. org— which is also called
“ The Web Site for People Who Weren���t
Born Yesterday”— is a free, locally focused
site that provides information on successful
aging. This year the Senior Success Vision
Council continued to fund this important
tool for senior citizens in Cuyahoga County.
Library staff received a $ 200 second
place award for the SeniorsConnect. org
initiative at the American Library
Association’s Diversity Fair, which was
held in June in Orlando, Florida.
“ The People’s University” partnered
with Web Wise Seniors, an organization
dedicated to helping people 50 years old
and older learn basic computer skills. Staff
from your Library accompanied instructors
from Web Wise Seniors as they traveled to
places where seniors already congregate,
teaching them computer skills in relaxed,
familiar environments.
The Third Annual Senior Information Fair was held on May 13 at the downtown
Louis Stokes Wing. More than 400 older adults attended the fair, which included
exhibits by local health and legal agencies.
One of the featured speakers, Armond Budish ( left)
of the television show, Golden Opportunities, with
Andrew A. Venable, Jr., Director.
“ Partnering with the Cleveland Public Library has enabled
Web Wise Seniors to extend our reach throughout
Cleveland and to positively impact the lives of area seniors.”
— Stephen Pelton, President, Web Wise Seniors, Inc.
EXAMPLES OF PURCHASES
TO EXPAND THE
COLLECTION FOR SENIORS
Bi- Folkal Kits: Multi- media kit
includes slides, audiocassettes,
videocasettes, albums, catalogs,
and other memorabilia
related to a particular topic
( county fairs, the 1950s,
the Great Depression, etc.).
Popular titles were added in
audio ( CD and cassette).
Extra copies of the most
popular titles made available in
large print editions.
YRead? presented
live online chats with
authors David Lee Morgan
( LeBron James: The Rise of a Star)
and Connie Porter ( Imani All Mine
and the Addy series).
15
Your Library’s children and youth services
department continued to offer the popular
online service, YRead? for children and teens.
This year’s writers David Lee Morgan, author
of LeBron James: The Rise of a Star, and Connie
Porter, author of All Bright Court, Imani All
Mine, and six books about Addy Walker in the
Pleasant Company’s American Girls series,
engaged in online chats about their books with
YRead? participants.
Ms. Porter was the featured Children’s Book
Week speaker at the Cleveland Public Library
in November. Over two days, Ms. Porter visited
several schools, Branches, and the Harry
Eastman Detention Center, and talked to
students and their caregivers about her popular,
forthright novel Imani All Mine. The author also
participated in an American Girl Tea Party at
the South Brooklyn Branch, and spoke on her
experience creating the Addy Walker series at an
autograph reception for educators and librarians
at the Lake Shore Facility. More than 650
children and caregivers attended these programs
during Children’s Book Week 2004.
Services for Children and
and at Your Branch
Young Adults on the Web
Award- winning author Connie Porter enjoys tea with
some of her fans at the South Brooklyn Branch.
David
Lee
Morgan
Connie Porter
14
EXAMPLES OF PURCHASES
TO EXPAND THE
COLLECTION TO ASSIST IN
COMPUTER TRAINING
Software for computer aides to
educate them on assisting
patrons in using Library PCs.
Software made available for
patron checkout on popular topics,
such as using the Internet and
learning Microsoft Office.
VHS and DVD titles on
Internet use, genealogy, and
Microsoft Office ordered
and made available for checkout
to assist patrons in learning to
use computer software.
Books on Microsoft Office,
genealogy, starting online
businesses, and buying
computers purchased and made
available for patron checkout.
CLEVNET library patrons were some of
the first people in the world to have access
to downloadable audiobooks, a service that
was invented in Cleveland. The collection
included popular titles such as Sara
Paretsky’s Blacklist, Joseph Finder’s High
Crimes, and Clive Cussler’s Golden Buddha,
as well as nonfiction titles such as The
Darwin Awards and Dave Barry Hits Below
the Belt. Most of the 160 books that were
available on the first day the service
was accessible were checked out within
a few days.
KnowItNow24x7, the free, live online
information service, which was instituted
at the Cleveland Public Library in 2001,
expanded statewide. Now any Ohio citizen
can access KnowItNow through the State
of Ohio Library, or their local public
library. Professional librarians are available
24 hours a day, seven days a week to
answer reference questions and assist in
finding information. After logging on to
KnowItNow with an Ohio zip code, users
engage in chat sessions with a librarian,
who provides high quality, authoritative
online resources. Ohio users can watch
and participate as librarians skillfully
navigate the Internet to find precise
answers to questions. At the conclusion of
each KnowItNow session, they receive a
complete transcript of their session via
email, including links to online sources.
To better serve you, the Library
installed a new integrated library manage-ment
system, called Sirsi Unicorn. This
powerful technology infrastructure will
assist staff with acquisitions, cataloging,
and circulation, and Cleveland Public
Library patrons will get what they need
when and how they need it more quickly
and efficiently than ever before. Sirsi
Unicorn is the most technologically
advanced library system available.
CLEVNET Downloadable
Debuted in November
Audiobooks Collection
Downloadable audiobooks proved
to be extremely popular, with most
of the 160 opening day
collection titles checked
out within days.
A Spanish language version of the web site was created and will
be further developed to better serve the Latino community.
Teen Read
CPL carpenters John Marshall and José Colón, who
constructed the stage for the Imagine! Puppetry
Initiative, with Andrew A. Venable, Jr., Director, and
retired Children’s Librarian Ruth Hadlow.
Author Annette Klause visited Library Branches
and detention homes as part of Teen Read
Week. The Library’s Youth Services Department
continues to provide books to the Harry Eastman
Detention Center as part of the YRead? program.
Author Pam Muñoz Ryan and illustrator
Brian Selznick were recipients of the
third biennial Sugarman Biography
Award for When Marian Sang: The
True Recital of Marian Anderson.
The Sugarman Award, which is given in
recognition of excellence in the field of
biography for children, was presented
on April 15 as part of the National
Library Week celebration in the Louis
Stokes Wing Auditorium.
The Sugarman Biography Award is
supported by Mrs. Joan Sugarman
( center). Jan Ridgeway, Head of
Branches and Outreach Services ( left),
and Joel Sugarman.
Week
The debut of Imagine! Puppetry Initiative honored retired
Children’s Librarian Ruth Hadlow ( above).
17
E. 131st Street T. E. E. N. S. ( Teens Experiencing Excellence Non- Stop), is a program for teens, by
teens where they help determine their group activities and discussions. Participants are encouraged to
use the resources of their Branch in their activities and hands- on projects.
16
We have been working to further enrich
our city’s neighborhoods by offering new
and improved services for children and
young adults. This year we hired profes-sional
librarians specializing in youth and
young adult literature and programming;
a total of 20 now work in neighborhood
Branches.
We also expanded Saturday hours;
18 Branches are open on Saturdays. Now
children, young adults, and their caregivers
can rely on their Branch for Internet and
computer access, and they can check out
materials to fit their weekend educational
and leisure needs. Neighborhood libraries
also offer young people a safe and quiet
place to read and study.
This year your Library continued
popular programs such as the Summer and
Winter Reading Clubs, and established new
ones, including Teen Advisory Clubs and
The Voice, a newsletter for young adults.
We collaborated with longtime partners
such as the Cleveland Municipal School
District, the Botanical Garden, and
the Cleveland Metroparks
Zoo. Your Library’s youth
services staff also made new
connections, including a Winter
Reading Club partnership with
the Western Reserve Historical
Society around “ The World of
Arthur,” the Historical Society’s
exhibit on the popular children’s
book character.
The fifth annual Get Carded@ CPL
Library Card Sign- up Campaign produced
10,009 new student library cards from
Cleveland public, independent, and
parochial schools, and home- schooled
children. Our five campaigns have
generated 71,495 cards since 1999.
Services for Children
Web and at Your Branch
and Young Adults on the
Youth Services launched The Voice
newsletter in summer 2004. It connects
young adults to books and reading, with
an emphasis on popular titles. The publica-tion
also encourages teens to become
involved and to contribute by writing book,
film, or video game reviews.
“ Many of my colleagues and I helped start teen advisory groups
at neighborhood Branches, which focus on teens and their interests.
We believe that asking them what they want from their Library is
key to providing them with the best programs and services.”
— Clara L. Parker, Youth Services Librarian, E. 131st Street Branch
EXAMPLES OF PURCHASES
TO EXPAND THE
COLLECTION FOR CHILDREN
AND YOUNG ADULTS
Class Sets: 30 to 90 copies
of a single title to enhance
availability to teachers.
Teacher Sets: Multiple copies
of a single title with added VHS
and audio versions.
Storytime Sets: Themed titles
with puppets to be used by
Librarians for programming.
Books primarily designed for
pre- school children.
Collections centered
around diversity.
Encyclopedia sets concentrating
on commonly asked homework
questions.
Photocopy- ready fact sheets on
major countries of the world.
Children’s books in
foreign languages.
The Winter Reading Club Finale took place at the Cleveland
Metroparks Zoo. More than 4,200 young people participated in
the club, which was themed “ Unlock the World— Read.”
Revenues
Library and Local Government Support Fund ( State Income Tax) $ 26,723,342
Property Taxes ( City of Cleveland) 32,382,805
State Aid 4,661,190
Charges for Services ( CLEVNET) 3,054,899
Other Revenue 1,206,876
Total Revenue $ 68,029,112
Fund Balance: January 1 11,090,202
Available for General Operations $ 79,119,314
General Operating Fund
Expenditures and Encumbrances
Salaries and Benefits $ 35,118,210
Library Materials 12,943,854
Utilities and Purchased Services 11,167,251
Other Expenditures 1,601,039
Transfer to Building and Repair Fund 3,000,000
Total Expenditures and Encumbrances $ 63,830,354
Carried Forward for the Next Year’s First Quarter Operations 15,288,960
$ 79,119,314
How Library Dollars Were Spent
A Cash Basis Report of the General Operating Fund
2004
Our extensive collection of books on dogs is one of the largest in the
nation; it includes more than 5,000 volumes on breeds, care, training,
and canine psychology. The collection started in 1959 when Richard
Edge, brother and administrator of Springer Spaniel expert C. W. Edge’s
will, wrote to the Western Reserve Kennel Club ( WRKC) for advice on
what to do with a collection of the American Kennel Club Stud Book
Register. Ultimately, the volumes were shipped to Cleveland. Edge’s
collection spurred other dog aficionados to donate their collections
to the Library. We are committed to keeping these collections up to
date, making your Library a great resource for information on dog care
and training.
Western Reserve Kennel Club
SOMETHING TO BARK ABOUT!
The WRKC continues to support the
collection with an annual monetary
donation. This experience shows what
can happen when a few enthusiasts, a
group of committed donors, and talented
Library staff work together. Thanks to
the support of the WRKC and other clubs
throughout North America, your Library’s
outstanding collection of books on dogs
is something to bark about!
18
Donors of Up to $ 99
Theodore & Christi Alter • Janet Armstrong • Bernard & Mary Austing •
Betty Ayers • Mark Bollinger • Eunice Brace • Virginia Calvert • Judith
Cantwell • David & Susan Depauw • Joan Derryberry & Raymond E. York, Jr.
• M. Jo & Glenn Derryberry • Larry & Linda Grate • Gary & Joellen Hahn •
Joyce Jaques • Johnstown Lions Club • Bruce & Charlene Kaufman • Marjorie
Keeslar • Rev. John L. & Marcelene Kennedy • Jan Leininger- Nyitray
• Margaret Anne Makley • Kelly Maric • Floyd & Elizabeth McClure •
William & Judith Mondillo • Dennis Morris • Diana Ochneick • Portland
Public Library • W. Gary & Roberta Schaber • Dana Webb • Donald &
Katheryn Wedding • Robert Whitlatch • Rebecca Wolfe
Donors of $ 100 to $ 499
Bernadette & Lou Barth • Linda Butler & Steven Nissen • Eaton Charitable
Fund • Judith Henson • John D. Kennedy • Michael & Miriam Lynch •
Patrick McGraw • Kathleen & Andrew McMillen • Northern Ohio
Bibliophilic Society • Parker Hannifin Corporation, Finance Department
• Macel Ramsey & Mary Brichler
Donors of $ 500 to $ 999
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air- Conditioning Engineers –
Cleveland Chapter • Brian & Cathy Thomas • The Harley C. Lee and
Elizabeth K. Lee Fund • Library of Congress – Center for the Book
• Linda Sperry
Donors of $ 1,000 to $ 4,999
Americans for Libraries – Libraries for the Future • Rebeccah J. Ball
• Dr. John F. Burke, Jr. and the Honorable Nancy A. Fuerst • KeyBank
National Association • Lake Hollis Estate Inc. • Irving Rothchild Trust
• Western Reserve Kennel Club • World Poker Tour
Grants
• Senior Success Vision Council – Senior Gateway to
Information Initiative – $ 281,245 ( December 2004
through November 2005, the third year of a
multi- year project)
• American Libraries Association – Be Well Informed@
Your Library Grant – $ 18,750
• Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation – Staying Connected
Grant through the State Library of Ohio – $ 34,210
• Lockwood Thompson Memorial Fund – $ 131, 881
Gifts to Special Funds
• Estate of Edgar J. Saltsman – $ 150,000
for the Founders Fund
• Joan G. Sugarman – $ 10,000
for the Norman A. Sugarman Children’s Biography
Award Fund
Other Funds Received Regularly
• Friends of the Cleveland Public Library – $ 18,500
for program support
• Estate of Anna M. Schweinfurth – $ 46,101
for the purchase of architectural materials
• Frederick W. and Henryett Slocum Judd Fund – $ 200,946
for the Library’s Homebound Service
• Winifred Beech Young Testamentary Trust – $ 46,163
for services to blind persons of the Connecticut
Western Reserve
Donors
The following individuals and organizations made generous donations to the Library in 2004. Some
gifts were made in honor of loved ones, while others were made to enhance specific library services,
programs, or collections. All gifts to the Library are greatly appreciated as they improve our ability to
deliver high quality service and to build outstanding collections.
In 2004 the Cleveland Public Library implemented a new financial reporting model prescribed by the Government Accounting
Standards Board ( GASB) for its 2003 financial statements. Representatives from the State Auditor’s Office review various reports
and supporting documents such as purchase orders, payment vouchers, invoices, and payroll files. After they reviewed these docu-ments
and the Library’s financial statements, they granted an unqualified opinion— or, excellent audit report. Your Cleveland
Public Library has a twenty- year history of unqualified opinions. As a custodian of the public trust, we are
proud to share this excellent audit record with you.
CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
EXCELLENT FINANCIAL AUDIT
“ The Cleveland Public Library always seeks to be a good custodian of your trust!
In keeping with this tradition, ‘ The People’s University’ has consistently received
good financial audits from the Auditor of the State of Ohio.”
— Andrew A. Venable, Jr., Director, Cleveland Public Library
Friends of The Cleveland
Public Library
Anne Marie Warren, President
Robert F. Pincus, Vice President
J. Stefan Holmes, Secretary
Willie Ann Maddox, Treasurer
Nancy Mahoney and Mary Scelsi,
Co- Directors
Pamela Blake, Melissa M. Gleespen,
Lute Harmon, Sr., Patricia S. James,
Meryl N. Levin, Amy McMaken,
Allison L. E. Wallace, Trustees
Administration
Andrew A. Venable, Jr., Director
Holly Carroll, Deputy Director
( beginning August 2004)
Joan L. Clark, Head of Main Library
Janice M. Ridgeway, Head of Branches
and Outreach Services
Robert T. Carterette, Head of Automation Services
Timothy R. Diamond, Head of Planning
and Research
Michael A. Janero, Chief of Security
Patricia E. Lowrey, Head of Technical Services
Myron Scruggs, Facilities Manager
Joan L. Tomkins, Head of Financial Services
Sharon L. Tufts, Head of Human Resources
David L. Williams, Head of Marketing
and Public Relations
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
13
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5
18
24
28
10
2
25
8
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19
12
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90 490
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480 480
MADISON
WEST
BLVD
BROOKPARK
HUMMEL RD
SMITH W 150th
PURITAS
HENRY FORD
W 140th
W 117th
W 130th
W 105th
W 80th
CLARK AV
BERE A
FULTON RD
W 11th
STATE RD
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
ROCKYRIVER
FRANKLIN
WARRENRD
LORAIN
BELLAIRE
TIEDEMAN
RIDGE RD
TRISKETT
JENNINGS RD
DENISON AV
BROADVIEW RD
PEARL RD
FULTON
W 25th
W 9th
E 9th
EUCLID AV
CEDAR AV
EUCLID HTSBLVD
CARNEGIE AV
ST CLAIR AV
ADDISON
WADE PARK
SUPERIOR AV
E 71st
LAKEVIEW
COIT
SHAW AV
WOODHILL
WOODLAND
HARVARD AV
MILES AV
MILESRD
LIBBY RD
GRANGERRD
E 49th ST
BROADWAY
BROADWAY
TURNEY RD
E 71st ST
GARFIELD
GRANT
SCHAAF RD
MCCRACKEN
DR
MLK BLVD
DR MLK BLVD
KINSMAN
NOBLE
COVENTRY
FAIRMOUNT BLVD
SHAKER BLVD
BUCKEYERD 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
Cleveland Public Library
System Map
M
Library for the Blind &
Physically Handicapped*
17121 Lake Shore Blvd.
( 216) 623- 2911
( 800) 362- 1262
* All sites feature high- powered closed- circuit TV enlargers
for people with declining vision. These sites feature additional
adaptive equipment for people with special needs. Call
( 216) 623- 2911 for details.
18a.
Annual Report Credits
RESEARCHER, WRITER, EDITOR.
Lyz Bly, newsense enterprises
DESIGNER. Pam Cerio Design
PHOTOGRAPHY. The following photographers’
work was used in this publication: Rodney Brown,
Diana McNees, Thomas Darryl Polk, Tim Safranek,
and Don Snyder
This year many events were
held at our Branch Libraries in
celebration of our city’s growing
Latino communities. The events
pictured here took place at the
Carnegie West Branch.
Celebrating
Hispanic Heritage Days
The People’s University
on Wheels”
Mobile Services
( 216) 623- 7114
“
20
BRIEF UNION HISTORY AT CPL
Behind the Scenes
Positive Developments in Labor Relations
We greatly value our employees, whose wages,
benefits, and working conditions are arguably
the most favorable at public libraries in Ohio,
and among the most competitive in the
United States.
Overall, we feel that our labor- management
relations took a positive step forward during the
last year. A key to this was our agreement with
SEIU District 1199 to establish an innovative
fact- finding panel that ultimately resolved all
open contract issues between the Library and
the union. This breakthrough development
followed months of negotiations with a federal
negotiator, and a one- day strike in April that
temporarily closed 21 of our Branches.
An experienced arbitrator chaired the fact-finding
panel. Union and management each
selected one representative and then agreed
upon a third member who served as chair
of the panel. After extended discussion and
consideration of all viewpoints, the panel issued
its report in August. The result was a new
three- year agreement that includes wage
increases through the life of the contract, the
addition of health care benefits for part- time
regular staff, changes in sick accrual annual
payout, and a compromise on the use of some
vendor- supplied pre- processes for selected
Library materials.
Several other positive labor relations
initiatives were undertaken during the past year.
They include:
Better addressing the grievance procedure
and our overall labor- management relationship;
we now provide the union with liberal access to
Deputy Director Holly Carroll.
Ms. Carroll has been mediating grievances
and maintains an open door to the leadership
of District 1199.
Ms. Carroll and other managers met twice
with a federal mediator and have continued to
meet monthly with union representatives to
facilitate consensus building under the auspices
of the Joint Labor Management Process
Committee, which was formed as a result of
the negotiations process.
A committee of Library administrators and
union representatives met successfully between
December 2004 and February 2005 to jointly
plan a successful Staff Development Day.
We seek to continue to work with the union
to improve our relationship and to better serve
our patrons.
SEIU District 1199 represents more than 420 of the approximately
675 full time staff at CPL.
SEIU District 1199 new three- year agreement
2004
2001
On April 20, 2000 CPL Board ratifies agreement with
Teamsters Local # 244, which represents the Library’s
Security Operations staff.
( left to right) Michael Janero, Chief of
Security Operations; Larry Novotny, Human
Resources; Joseph Stefanos, Union repre-sentative;
and Melvin Abrams, Security
Operations at CPL.
( left to right) Sharon Tufts, Head of Human
Resources; Holly Carroll, Deputy Director;
Debbie Hajzak, current CPL/ SEIU D1199
Chapter President.
2000
1991
The first contract ran February 11, 1988 to
February 10, 1991.
1988
On February 11, 1988 CPL Board ratifies agreement with District
925, SEIU; these first negotiations began May 20, 1987.
1986
CPL employees vote to join District 925 on December 16, 1986.
1983
July 6, 1983, Ohio Governor Richard Celeste signs into law a long- debated bill that
extends collective bargaining rights to 580,000 public employees statewide, including
the right of non- safety workers to strike if negotiations reach an impasse.
Be f o re 1983
CPL had a unit of AFSCME, but under Ohio law the Library could not grant
formal recognition or exclusive bargaining rights to any labor organization.
CPL workers became members of SEIU District 1199 in 2001 when
more than 4,000 members from District 925 in Cleveland and
Cincinnati made a historic vote to merge with District 1199, bringing
new industries and ideas into the union. Now, aside from health care
and social services, SEIU/ District 1199 represents Head Start,
Library, and Higher Education workers.
Before public employees had collective bargaining rights, CPL had
the Cleveland Public Library Staff Association that formed in 1937 as
the Cleveland Public Library Workers’ Association. The Association’s
purpose was “ to promote the welfare and mutual understanding
of the workers in the Cleveland Public Library system.” The last
president of the Association was Joseph Parnell who remains a well-known
resource in the Business, Economics, and Labor Department.
Members are represented in a wide range of job classifications including:
Librarians, Library Assistants, Clerical Staff, Skilled Trades ( Carpenters, Painters,
Maintenance Engineers), Automation Services ( Computer Hardware and Software experts),
Custodial Staff, Delivery Drivers, Technical Services Staff ( Cataloging Librarians and
other support staff), Book Preparation Workers, Preservation Staff, Accounting Staff,
Graphic Design Staff, and Web Site Design and Maintenance
Ron Charvat, who recently retired,
worked to organize the union and
was its first president.