Annual report of the Cleveland Public Library for 1980

              Cover photograph by Beckett Daniel, Cleveland Public Ubrary: A stone relief sculpture on the Superior Avenue facade of the Main Building displays
elements of classical symbolism: an open book and a compass (knowledge): a Roman lamp (truth).
ANNUAL REPORT 1980
CLEVElAND P(JBUC UBRARY
Cleveland, Ohio
(
,
Comments From The President
Of The Board Of Ubrary Trustees ~ ~
The significance of this year's annual report can only be appreciated in its
fullest by reviewing briefly what we were as an institution just five years ago.
At that time we were a somewhat stagnant system· run-down, devitalized and
in need of a new thrust forward. That thrust was given by four elements -each
very important in its own right yet powerless without the other three. The first
was the passage by the voters of the 1.5 mill levy . a true vote of confidence for
the system's future plans; the second was the workability and togethemess of
the Library Board under the leadership of Mr. Lee C. Howley, Jr.; the third
element was the professional staff under the leadership of Director
Ervin J. Gaines; and fourth was the performance of each and every employee
of the system.
All four were dedicated to excellence· and as we review this year's annual
report we see that the dedication has paid its dividend in a system that is
efficient and forward·looking, meeting the anticipated needs as well as the
current needs of the citizens of Cleveland and those of Cuyahoga County.
In June the voters again gave us their vote of confidence to continue the
progress in our plan for the future. They gave us a 1 mill continuance levy for
the next five years.
With this confidence, I, with my fellow members of the Board, Reverend
Dr. Lewis Raymond, Mr. George W. Trumbo, Mrs. Juliana T. Rak,
Mrs. Ardelia B. Dixon and Mr. David M. Novak, and with the professional staff
under the direction of Dr. Ervin J. Gaines, pledge to the citizens of the City of
Cleveland, as well as to the County, to continue to develop the best library
system that can be attained for a city with a proud heritage and a golden future.
We have much to be thankful for: the work, the effort, and the anguish of
previous Boards; the continued support and good-will of the Friends of the
Cleveland Public Library; the many public agencies that provide service to the
Library; and the citizens who pay for it and who use it.
Carl F. Asseff, M.D.
President, Board of Library Trustees
PAGE 1 • ANNUAL REPORT OF n-tE CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY 1980 )
,
Report From The Director
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For the Cleveland Public Ubrary 1980 was a productive year. The physical
plant was improved by the addition of two new branch libraries, the remodeling
of two others and the installation of new windows and air conditioning in Main
Ubrary. Use of the Library, as measured both by book circulation and the
number of questions asked, continued to increase. Two branch libraries
reported the highest circulation in 15years -a most remarkable comeback in a
city that lost 24% of its population between 1970 and 1980.
The collections were strengthened and services were improved in anumber of
small increments that added up to a substantial modification of the Library's
interaction with its public. Microfilm catalogs placed in branch libraries in April
opened up the entire Library's resources to neighborhoods. In July, on-line
catalogs were introduced into the public departments of the Main Library,
foreshadowing a great revolution in service capability in 1981.
In a city plagued by difficulties, the Ubrary was exempted from controversial
debate, and the successful passage of a levy renewal in June gave evidence
that the Library is well regarded by its constituents. The administrative staff
gave close attention to physical and technical improvements, to
modernization of the enterprise and to the shifting behavior and demands of
the citizens.
" ... the Ubrary ought not to
stand still in a volatile
socl.ety..."
The Director and his associates continued to act in the conviction that the
Ubrary ought not to stand still in a volatile society. The report that follows
details some ofthe changes that occurred during 1980and forecasts probable
or desirable changes in the next several years.
In 1976 the Library launched a major program to upgrade the buildings ofthe
Cleveland Public Library. In 1980 that program continued to make significant
progress.
The addition of air conditioning in Main Ubrary was the most important single
project. During the winter, new window,S were installed to provide proper
insulation against temperature changes, to improve reading comfort by
reducing excessive noise generated by traffic on Superior Avenue and to
protect the collections against the ravages of airbome dirt and dust The
program succeeded, except for a set-back in the Business and Science
Building where the faulty manufacture of a key unit in the air conditioning
equipment caused a twelve-month delay in the start-up of the system.
(
ANNUAL REPORT OF TriE CLEVELAND PUBUC UBRARY 1980 • PAGE 2 ) ---------
,
Changes in many public departments made the. rea~ng environ~ent
conducive to better service and increased reader satisfaction. The Science
and Technology Department was remodeled to increase the light levels and to
combine several service points into one. The former General Reference Room
was given over to a combined unit including most of the Ubrary's microfilms,
maps and newspapers, relocated to the main floor from the basement. Banks
of microfilm readers and reader-printers attracted many users, and the new
unit quickly became one of the busiest in the Ubrary.
Brett Hall was re-lighted and carpeted as it began its new career as the
bibliographic center of the Ubrary, a function that was planned by Director
William Howard Brett more than 60 years ago, but never executed until now.
New custom-made fumiture replaced the office-style desks in four public
departments: History, Social Sciences, Uterature, and Science and
Technology.
Extensive repair work on the front doorway and the addition of supplementary
heating improved winter-time comfort in the lobby area of Main Ubrary.
Several small staff lunchrooms were replaced with a spacious new staff
cafeteria and lounge in a centralized location on the foundation level. Vending
machines and a snack bar providing hot food service operate under a contract
with the Cleveland Society for the Blind.
In the branch system, new buildings for Eastman and Glenville Branch
Ubraries replaced inadequate, obsolete facilities. Arlington, a rented
storefront unit, was phased out with the opening of Glenville Branch Ubrary,
reducing to 33 the number of units in the branch system. Collinwood and Rice
Branches were remodeled and rededicated during the year, bringing the total
of the new or redesigned buildings to ten since 1976.
Increased staff efficiency helped the Ubraryto reduce its full time employment
by 15 positions during the year. In no case, however, were there any lay-offs or
dismissals to bring about the reduction. The Ubrary's personnel policy calls
for minor adjustments in staffing wherever positions are vacated by people
who resign or retire. The present level of employment is hovering around 500
full time people; the target for the future is somewhere close to 450, a goal
made feasible by automation and by merged service outlets.
During the year, responsibili~ for service to hospital patients was gradually
shifted to branch libraries in the immediate neighborhoods. This move
shortened the delivery time of books requested by patients and diminished the
need for a specialized staff of librarians.
A new Graphics Department was created by merging the Printing and Exhibits
Departments under a single supervisor. Modem technology has made high
quality printing easier and less labor-intensive than formerly. By relying totally
on reprography and offset machines the Ubrary was able to shut down its last
letter press. In a parallel decision the Ubrarystandardized much of its art work,
thereby reducing the need for custom-made brochures and signs.
The Ubrary for the Blind and the Physically Handicapped began to right itself
after a year or more of struggling to adapt to computer operations. As
efficiency continued t~ improve throughout the year, some of the unit's
librarians were transferred to other, more demanding tasks.
" ••• increased staff efficiency
helped the Ubrary to reduce
its full time employment by
15 positions during the
year••• "
( PAGE 3 • ANNUAL REPORT OF lliE CLEVEl.AND PUBLIC UBRARY 1980 ) -----------""
( PERSPECTIVES )
Board President Lee C. Howley, Jr. and Director Ervin J. Gaines check the
ballot tally after the successful tax levy campaign.
-Photograph by Jose' Sereix. The Cleveland Public Ubrary
"Patrons are continually amazed
that the Ubrary has the newest
books almost as soon as the
bookstores. At last the Ubrary is
losing the image of being a stuffy
warehouse for old, duU books."
-JODITH CRAMER. UBRARIAN
CLARK BRANCH
" a generous book budget
made possible .•• the purchase of
practically all desirable new
titles.•• "
-LOCILLE TROPH, HEAD OF
UTERATORE DEPARTMENT
" .•. the Ubrary's overaU minority
percentage for full time
employees increased to 42%."
-ARLENE WILSON, E.E.O.
OFACER/ASSISTANT
PERSONNEL DIRECTOR
"Positive neighborhood response
to newly renovated or constructed
branch buildings has generally
resulted in significant increases in
sustained library use."
-ANDREW A VENABLE, HEAD
OF COMMONllY SERVICES
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY. PAGE 4
"The time has come, the Walrus said, to talk of
many things..." an engaging bronze sculpture,
crafted by Cleveland artist William McVey, invites
the pats and chats of young visitors to the new
Eastman Branch Library.
-Photograph by Van Dillard, The Cleveland Press
"The year's most exciting
developments were in
automation . • • staff
members worked with
increasing sophistication as
they enabled the Library to
eliminate past backlogs and
create a new future."
-MARIAN A. HUTTNER
SPECIAL ASSISTANT
TO THE DIRECTOR
"Circulation (at the new Eastman
Branch) has increased by over
35% since last year, and by the
end of September we had already
surpassed the total 1979
circulation."
-JOYCE W1EDENHOEFER.
UBRARIAN,EASTMAN
BRANCH
"The trend of borrowing library
material by the box or bag-full
continues."
-SANDRAEMERY, UBRARIAN,
COWNWOOD BRANCH
"The 1978 publication of the
Department's revised and
enlarged folklore catalog brought
at least five researchers to
Cleveland in 1980who previously
had been unaware of our
resources • • . an internationally
recognized authority on proverb
literature • . • changed his travel
plans from Europe to Cleveland."
-AUCE LORANTH, HEAD OF
THE JOHN G. WHITE
DEPARTMENT
PAGE 5 • ANNUAL REPORT OF mE CLEVElAND PUBLIC LIBRARY 1980
,
The Planning and Research Department increased byone member as did the
computer staff, both moves indicating a shift in emphasis within the Ubrary.
Balancing those increases, the Business Manager's staffwas decreased during
the year as was that of the Technical Processing Department
An awesome revolution in infonnation handling began in 1980. Although the
full impact of automation will not be felt until 1981 or 1982, important
innovations were made during the past year. The Ubrary had already entered
sufficient catalog infonnation into its computer at the beginning of the year to
make possible the installation of computer-prepared microfilm catalogs
throughout the system. In April, evel)' department and branch Iibral)' was
fumished with the viewing equipment and with theCOMcatalog. This newway
of displaying catalog information improved on the familiar card catalog by
alerting the reader to the location of evel)' title throughout the system, not only
the locally held copy. Service capability improved at once.
The innovation of the microfilm catalog was eclipsed three months later bythe
introduction of the first on-line catalog. Computer tenninals in public areas
created access to the latest catalog entries, cutting at leasttwo months offwhat
used to be the nonnal processing time for such infonnation.
Although the placement ofthis newtool at outlying service points ofthe Ubral)'
could not be achieved in 1980, Main Ubrary was fully served by the end of the
year. The branch libraries will follow in 1981.
" ••• catalog infonnation that
now requires mUtions of
cards ••• will be available on
a screen the size of a
portable television set.•• "
The on-line catalog will profoundly influence the way the Ubral)' functions. By
mid-summer 1981 the computer will contain all titles owned by the Ubral)';
153,000 titles were available as of December 31, 1980. Catalog information
that now requires millions of cards filed in hundreds of drawers in fumiture so
massive as to fill a major room in the Ubrary will now be available on a screen
the size of a portable television set. The catalog will be instantly and
simultaneously available in as many places as want it or need it, even beyond
the jurisdiction of the Ubral)' -to schools, universities, other libraries, business
offices.
The Ubral)"s catalog is only one of many computer-based information
services already available or contemplated: an up-to-date index to Cleveland's
two daily newspapers, a circulation control system, a catalog for films, instant
bibliographies for students and scholars, computer games for children and
research information on hundreds of subjects in these and many more
informational banks yet to be imagined.
The Cleveland Public Ubral)' achieved a major political victol)' in 1980. In the
June primal)' election the Ubral)' asked for and received from the voters an
extension of its levy on the property tax for an additional five years beginning in
1981. The Ubral)" s unusual request to the voters was to reduce the levy from
1.5 mills to 1 mill. Support from the business and political sectors, from
neighborhood residents and from the Libral)"s own staff and the Friends
group generated a vigorous, positive campaign. The response, with 65% ofthe
votes favorable to the Ubrary's request, was interpreted as an expression of
citizen confidence and an invitation to press on with improvements in the
operation of the Ubral)'.
(
ANNUAL REPORT OF ll1E CLEVELAND PUBUC UBRARY 1980 • PAGE 6 )
"'-----------..;
Offsetting this happy outcome was the decision by the County Budget
Commission to reduce Cleveland's percentage allocation from the intangibles
tax while increasing it for some suburban libraries. Although the lowered share
of the tax income created no immediate operational crisis, the Commission's
action was perceived as a waming sign for the future.
While the Ubrary apparently enjoyed general public approval, it was at least
temporarily frustrated in its bid to operate a public radio station bythe filing ofa
competing application by a citizens' group known as Cleveland Public Radio.
Almost simultaneously with the filing of the competing application, a group of
citizens brought a legal action to enjoin the Ubrary from operating a radio
station. Although the Court upheld the Library, the case is now on appeal.
Meanwhile, Cleveland is without a public radio station.
The largest and most persistent problem that will confront the Ubrary over the
next several years is the balancing of service with a rapidly shifting population.
The severe loss of population in the Cleveland neighborhoods over the last
twenty years has brought into question the social utility of the Library's
extensive branch system. A chain of libraries originally designed to serve a
population of one million people is still relatively intact in a city with only
560,000 residents. Cleveland finds itself with more branch libraries in
proportion to population than any other major city in the nation.
To shut down public facilities is politically difficult, but if action to diminish the
size of the Ubrary's branch system is long deferred, the branches will become
increasingly redundant and burdensome to the budget Rapid movement of
people away from once thickly settled communities has created a
maldistribution of branches in relation to the population. Some units circulate
as few as 25,000 books, and others circulate up to 200,000 annually. Such
imbalances are not unique to Cleveland, but they are of greater magnitude
here because of our population losses.
Whatever may be the problems associated with maintaining balanced
neighborhood service, the Main Ubrary is an impressive source of information
and a greattreasure·house of books that well and truiy serves the county as well
as the city. In fact, nearly 50% ofMain Ubrary's use is generated by residents of
the suburbs. The extraordinarily high quality of Main Ubrary's collections is of
inestimable value to Greater Cleveland economic and cultural life. Should the
population base of the city continue to erode, as it threatens to do, a way must
be found to muster the civic spirit and the financial resources necessary to
keep the Main Ubrary at its present strength. Cleveland's economic recovery
depends in part upon the quality of its public library.
The citizens of Cleveland and of the suburbs alike should make no mistake: in
terms both of its collections and of its imminent capabilities in computer
assisted information the Cleveland Public Library may very well be without
equal in the nation. It deserves the attention and support of all the people of J-re,~l~~_........ _
Ervin J. Gaines
Director
"...nearly 50% of Main
Ubrary's service use is
generated by residents of
the suburbs..."
( PAGE 7 • ANNUAL REPORT OF ntE CLEVElAND PUBLIC LIBRARY 1980 ) --------
r
l How Cleveland Used Its Ubrmy 1980 )
LCleveland Public Ubrary Collections 1980 )
Library Materials Loaned for Home Use
Main Library .
Branch Libraries .
Other Community Services ..
Loaned to Other Libraries .
Total ..
Library Cards Issued .
Information Questions
Telephone .
In Person ..
Total ..
Programs and Meetings Held in the Library
Programs .
Attendance .
Attendance at Main Library
TotaL ..
Daily Average .
1979
647,401
1,665,676
606,124
10,576
2,929,777
120,052
838,779
1,508,274
2,347,053
10,397
199,271
821,751
2,694
(305 Days)
1980 Increase
654,568 1%
1,864,733 12%
587,062 (3%)
11,643 10%
3,118,006 6%
129,591 8%
909,720 8%
1,645,715 9%
2,555,435 9%
7,300
171,533
840,409
2,737
(307 Days)
Total System Holdings
Titles .
Volumes .
Microforms
Microfilm .
Microfiche .
Other Microforms ..
Films and Filmstrips .
Pictures .
Phonodiscs and Cassettes ..
Maps .
Paperbacks ..
Main Library
Adult Volumes ..
Juvenile Volumes .
Total Volumes ..
Branch Libraries
Adult Volumes .
Juvenile Volumes .
Total Volumes .
1,160,600
2,521,139
39,777
791,700
368,410
6,199
2,230,000
36,955
93,705
102,816
1,810,859
105,248
1,916,107
295,747
206,469
502,216
( ANNUAL REPORT OF TrlE CL£.VELAND PUBUC UBRARY 1980 • PAGE 8 J '----------
( How UbraJY DoUars Were Spent In 1980 )
Total Cash and Securities on hand January I, 1980
or received from all sources during the year $29,687,404
Total expenditures and encumbrances....................................................... 24,335,130
Unexpended balances, December 31, 1980............................................. $ 5,352,274
These receipts and expenditures are shown in more detail in the major programs below.
$18,368,699
$ 3,049,438
$15,319,261
$ 823,999
11,584,453
4,452,415
255,445
804,554
89,138
119,757
238.938
Of this amount $3,049,438 was transferred to the
Building and Repair Fund · ..
Available for general operations ..
General Ubrary Operations
• Income.
Cash Balance, January I, 1980 .
Tax Revenues - Intangibles ..
_ Real Estate .
State Aid ..
Interest Received .
Fines and Reimbursements ..
Adjustments and Refunds ..
Miscellaneous .
$15,319,261
$ 8,464,799
2,681,792
2,087,866
1,503,546
478,064
101,466
1.728
$10,791,587
6,353,730
$ 4,437,857
• Expenditures and Encumbrances •
Salaries and contributions to Pension Fund .
f.'\aterials and Supplies .
Fixed Charges and Capital Outlay .
Contracts for services, equipment and materials ..
Office and maintenance materials and supplies ..
Interest on Debt .
Refunds ..
Total Expenditures during the year .
Building and Pennanent Improvement Funds
Cash on hand January I, 1980.................................... $7,742149
Transferred from General Operations.................... 3,049,438
Expended and encumbered during the year
Balance, December 31, 1980 ..
22,903
90,907
68.()04
891,515
985,650
94,135
$
$
$
$
52,222
38,685
$ 721,445
264,205
$
These funds will be used for new buildings and remodeling of existing structures.
Special Projects
Cash on hand January I, 1980 ..
Received during the year ..
Available for use ..
Expended and encumbered during the year
Balances, December 31, 1980 ..
Private Endowments and Trusts
The Ubrary has accumulated many gifts over the years. It invests the money received
and expends income in accordance with donorwishes. In general, the major JX>rtion of
this money is spent for books.
Cash Balances, January I, 1980
Interest, Dividends, and new gifts ..
Available for use ..
Expended and encumbered ..
Total value of private funds,
December 31, 1980 .
( PAGE 9 • ANNUAL REPORT OF TIiE Cl..EVEl..AND PUBLIC LIBRARY 1980 )
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Cleveland Public Ubrary
'"
325 Superior Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
(216) 623·2800
Main Library Hours
9:00·6:00, Monday·Saturday
Board of UbraIY Trustees 1980
Lee C. Howley, Jr., President (resigned December 31)
Dr. Carl F. Asseff, Vice President
Cheryle A Wills, Secretary (term expired July 2)
George W. Trumbo, Secretary pro tem (July 2-December 31)
John J. Kahl, Jr. (resigned May 23)
Juliana T. Rak
Rev. Dr. Lewis Raymond
Ardelia B. Dixon (appointed September 25)
David M. Novak (appointed September 25)
Administration 1980
Dr. Ervin J. Gaines, Director
Marian A. Huttner, Special Assistant to the Director
Norma Braun, Business Manager
Ethel L Robinson, Head of Main Library
Edward Seely, Head of Technical Services
Norman Holman, Director of Personnel Services
Andrew Venable, Head of Community Services
Friends of the Cleveland Public UbraIY. Inc. 1980
Gordon K. Mott, President
Carole Ellison, Vice President
Raymond R. Ernest, Treasurer
Kathy Browning, Secretary
Ella Mae Howey, Executive Director
ANNUAL REPORT OF lliE CLEVELAND PUBUC UBRARY 1980 • PAGE 10