CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
1989 ANNUAL REPORT
VELLUM LEAF FROM AN
ILLUMINATED MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPT
FRANCE; Late XIVth Century
French Text; Gothic Script
Jlsalter
(Psalterium)
In earlier periods there was generally a
harmonious unity between the spirit of the
ornament and the character of the writing, as
exemplified in this illuminated leaf. The threelobed,
gracefully drawn. symmetrical fronds of
leaves in the ornament are usually accepted
without question as representing the ivy plant.
In the MiddleAges manymagical and medicinal
qualities were attributed to this plant.
Unfortunately. fire and water, mice and men
have in the course of the centuries often left
their damaging marks on manuscript leaves.
This manuscript leafshows the effect ofhaving
been exposed to dampness.
FROM THE COLLECTION OF OTTO F. EGE
Special Collections
Cleveland Public Library
Cleveland. Ohio
1989 ANNUAL REPORT
'=- -/
II..- V ~ -W- CLEVELAND
PUBLIC
LIBRARY
Cleveland, Ohio
COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT
Michael V. Kelley
A t the time the Cleveland Public Library
was founded, one hundred and twenty years
ago, the city was recovering from the Civil War
and enjoying a renewal of social and cultural
activities suspended during the conflict.
Clevelanders thronged to lectures and concerts
in Case Hall and to gala social gatherings in the
Cliff House. Discussions of the day sparkled
with news about the local organization of the
American Women's Suffrage Association, Mark
Twain's Quaker City cruise to Europe and the
Holy Land, and the founding of the Cleveland
Public Library on February 16, 1869.
Cleveland was then, as it is now, a city of
readers. A post-war population of 92,000
citizens supported the existence of seven
bookstores and cheered the founding of a free
public library. The foundations of that Library
were provided largely through the dedicated
efforts of three remarkable citizens: Librarians
William Howard Brett and Linda A Eastman,
and Library trustee John G. White. A Founders'
Day dinner in 1989 served to salute these
dynamic leaders and the progress of this remarkable
institution over 120 years. It was also the
occasion for reaffirming the commitment of
present leaders to ensuring delivery of top
quality public library service. To that end, the
1989 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CLEVELAND PUBLIC LmRARY PAGEl
Library Board of Trustees established a
Founders' Endowment Fund. Earnings on its
non-expendable principal will be used to fund
enhancements to basic library services and to
purchase special materials for library collections.
The Cleveland Public Library's Founders'
Endowment Fund is an investment in a
tradition of excellence, begun more than one
hundred and twenty years ago. We intend that
the Fund demonstrate commitment. and faith
in the Library's purpose, and that it serve as a
public legacy for future generations of
Clevelanders.
Michael V. Kelley,
President. Board of Library Trustees
Judge Stephanie Tubbs Jones,
Vice President
Elizabeth L. Coles,
Secretary
David M. Novak
Paul J. DeGrandis, Jr.
Thomas D. Corrigan
PAGE 2
c. 1869 The first home of Cleveland
Public Library was a room on the third
floor of the Northrop and Harrington
Block at far right, where Stouffer's Tower
City Plaza Hotel now stands.
1989 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Marilyn Gell Mason Although the city ofCleveland continues
to shrink in terms of population, per capita use
of the Cleveland Public Library reached its
highest point since the years of the Great
Depression. A surprising 8.5 items per man.
woman and child were borrowed from the
Cleveland Public Library in 1989. That puts
Cleveland second only to Seattle in a comparison
ofper capita use among major urban public
libraries. That's good news for the Cleveland
Public Library. and good news. too. for the
adults and children who borrowed 4.5 million
books. magazines and tapes last year.
The Cleveland Public Library's strong performance
was spurred on by steady infusions of
fresh. high demand materials. such as bestsellers.
computer software. videocassettes and
audiocassette tapes.
1989 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
New formats affected patterns of use. Branches
circulating large numbers of videocassettes. for
instance. noted a significant increase in the
number of children's books borrowed. Our
working theory, which will be tested over time.
is that parents, observing the 2-day videocassette
loan period, change the books borrowed
for their young children more frequently: every
few days as opposed to the traditional 3 week
loan period for books. The proliferation of
personal computers has also affected patterns
of service delivery. A report from one of the
branch librarians contained this telling observation:
"Patron ownership ofpersonal computers
is increasingly evident. Very young cardholders
come in carrying bibliographic printouts and
borrowers ask for titles they have found in the
Dial Up Catalog."
Other sections of this Annual Report will set
forth in more detail the resource and service
enhancements which contribute to the increased
usefulness of the Library. This briefmessage
will limit itself to communicating staffs
gratification with the good use of the Cleveland
Public Library.
Congratulations, Cleveland!You use your Library
well.
Marilyn Gell Mason
Director
PAGE 3
ANNUAL REPORT 1989
Fr more than a century. the
Cleveland Public Library has concentrated
the focus of its public mission on
acquiring. managing and providing
information through every available
resource. Since 1869. professional staff
have shaped and developed the public
collections to encompass a universe of
information sources: from manuscripts
to photographs; from corporation archives
to chess tournament records; from maps
to cinema pressbooks; from World War II
posters to computer software programs.
As electronic technologies punch open
channels to new information resources,
the Library seizes each viable opportunity
to enhance services and refine or extend
methods ofservice delivery. Last year. the
Library built upon its broad platform of
information systems a whole new range
of CD ROM services for public use:
Congressional Masterfile in Documents
Collection. Psychlit in Social Sciences
Department, Medline in Science and
Technology Department, Moody's 5.000
Plus, in Business, Economics and Labor
Department, Supermap. PC Globe Plus
and Place/Name Index in Map Collection.
This new constellation of information
resources was received enthusiastically
by the clientele who use Main Library's
research facili ties.
PAGE 4
Colorful street banners decorated Public Square and
Superior Avenue dUring the Library's 120th service
anniversary year.
1989 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CLEVELAND PUBLIC LmRARY
In 1989. the backbone for an extensive
information interchange was created by
establishing a Local Area Network (LAN)
throughout the Main Library. A systemwide
telephone project secured improved
communication between Branches and
Main Library agencies while achieving
significant per/call cost savings.
Telefacsimile equipment in Main Library
and Branches made document delivery
responsive to the immediacy of public
demand.
Cleveland Indians pitching legend. Bob Feller. gives an autograph to
young fans in Eastman Garden during a special event sponsored by the
Friends of the Library.
1989 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CLEVELAND PUBLIC LffiRARY PAGE 5
PAGE 6
But while the proliferation of electronic
information technologies seems infinite.
the Cleveland Public Library's ability to
take hold ofnew opportunities is severely
limited by constraints imposed by an
antiquated physical plant. The need to
renovate the Main Library's buildings
and buildings systems. and to reorganize
the collections and construct additional
space has dominated the attention and
taxed the problem-solving skills of Board.
staff and citizen alike. for more than a
year. Without an overall plan for the Main
Library complex. the Library's progress
will be stymied in nearly every area of
information management: from the ability
to make swift application of developing
technologies. to adequate protection and
preservation of the collection materials.
to a desirable re-arrangement of the ever
increasing numbers of volumes that are
now forced into remote storage.
For now. the Library will still proceed to
conscientiously address its management
responsibilities through projects welldefined
in both scope and cost. In 1989.
for instance. microfilming of important
historical resources was accomplished.
Some children come into the neighborhood libraries
nearly every day after school.
1989 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CLEVELAND PUBLIC LffiRARY
The Great Lakes Theatre Festival shares a dramatic performance with
families at a Cleveland Public Library branch.
1989 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CLEVELAND PUBLIC LffiRARY PAGE 7
PAGE 8
The used book sale conducted by the Friends of the Library drew
crowds of readers... and soon-to-be readers!
The information contents ofthe Cleveland
School Desegregation File. Cleveland
Telephone Directories from the years
1890-1987. the Cleveland Corporation
File. and two local. foreign language newspapers.
Szabadsag and Waechter und
Anzeiger. were preserved for use byfuture
generations on microfilm. At the
recommendation of the Library's
Preservation Office. City Directories from
the period 1936-1980 and the local Scene
Magazine were scheduled for microfilming.
Two workshops devoted to paper
preservation and bookbinding were very
well attended. demonstrating public
awareness ofthe importance and value of
book preservation efforts.
1989 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CLEVELAND PUBLIC LmRARY
The Library's traveling exhibit visits the Zoo!
ADisaster Management Plan was written
and reviewed, and staff training will begin
in 1990. Familiarity with the specifics of
a plan which outlines proper procedures
for handling materials which have been
exposed to water or fire damage is critically
important, since the Library has had to
forego the installation ofsmoke detectors
and a sprinkler system, pending
implementation ofan overall capital plan
for Main Library.
Necessary maintenance and repair of
Branch buildings proceeded routinely.
Superior and South Branches were closed
temporarily during asbestos abatement
projects. The interior ofWest Park Branch
was completely refurbished. Walz,
Eastman, Rice. Woodland, West Park and
Lorain Branches were re-carpeted. Major
repainting projects were undertaken at
1989 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Rice, Jefferson, Lorain, West Park. South
Brooklyn and Brooklyn Branches. Roofing
projects were completed at West Park.
Fleet, Union and Carnegie West. Branch
collection materials were upgraded along
with the physical plants. Most Branches
now have videocassettes and audiocassettes.
Addison Branch opened for
public service in Decemberwith a modest
collection of Chinese language books.
The traditional Summer Reading Club
drew an enrollment of more than 5,200
children.Apair offree tickets to a baseball
game in the Cleveland Stadium enticed a
larger number than ever before to read
and report on at least ten books.
The Cleveland Public Library closed the
year with highs in every area of service
measured. ~
PAGE 9
Librarians motivated more than 5.200 children to join the annual Summer Reading
Club. instilling a love of reading...
...and pride in accomplishment.
PAGE 10 1989 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
SERVICE PROFILE
In 1989, your Cleveland Public Library...
• answered 2.3 million questions
• added 193,210 new volumes to the collection
• issued 33,655 new library cards
• loaned about 10.800 books on an average day
• registered 2.121 new blind and handicapped
readers for the Talking Book service
• conducted more than 5.400 story hours.
lectures and other programs
• loaned 31,798 books to other libraries.
The first step to a successful school year begins at the Library.
1989 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CLEVELAND PUBLIC LmRARY PAGE 11
HOW LIBRARY DOLLARS WERE SPENT IN 1989
GENERAL OPERATING FUND
RECEIPTS
Tax revenues
- Library fl? Local Government Support Fund ... $17,518,519
- Real estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 11,692,252
- Delinquent intangibles 42,635
State aid 564,508
Fines and fees 430,998
Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 983,822
Services to contracting libraries 656,054
Reimbursed costs and refunds 579,131
Total receipts $32,467,919
Fund balance, January 1, 1989 2,716,091
Available for general operations $35,184,010
EXPENDITURES AND ENCUMBRANCES
Salaries and benefits $15,269,992
Library materials 6,140,626
Utilities and purchased services 3,800,334
Transfer to building fl? repair fund 5,943,505
Office and maintenance materials and supplies 733,991
Capital outlay. . ... . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . .... . . . . .. . . . .. 2,441,121
Refunds, sales tax, memberships' advances 100,503
Total expenditures during the year . . . . . . . . . . . .. $34,430,072
Carried forward for first-quarter operations 753,938
$35,184,010
ENDOWMENTS, TRUSTS, GRANTS
During 1989, the Founders' Endowment Fund was established bythe Board ofLibraryTrustees.
Earnings on the otherendowmentaccounts managed byNational CityBank'sTrust Department
reached $180,000. The endowments received new gifts of over $30,000.
Effective July 1, 1989, the State Library began full funding for service to blind and physically
handicapped persons throughout Northern Ohio. The State Library continued to fund North
Central LibraryCooperative services, the Cleveland and Kulas Foundations continued to fund the
music score project and the Cleveland Foundation continued support for theJudd Fund services
to homebound individuals. Activities were completed in the Pre-Teen Grant, Preservation
microfilming ofLocal History Materials, and the City HallArchives Project.AnewTitle I Grant for
creation of a photograph database was awarded by the State Library.
PAGE 12 1989 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
DIRECTORY: Fleet 623-6962
Main Library 7224 Broadway Avenue
325 Superior Avenue 216/623-2800 Fulton 623-6969
Audio-Video Department 623-2942 3545 Fulton Road
Business, Economics &> Labor 623-2927 Garden Valley 623-6976
Department 7100 Kinsman Road
Children's Literature Department 623-2834 Glenville 623-6983
Cleveland Research Center 623-2999
11900 St. Clair Avenue
Harvard-Lee 623-6990
Documents Collection 623-2870 16918 Harvard Avenue
Fine Arts &> Special Collections 623-2848 Hough 623-6997
Foreign Literature Department 623-2895 1566 Crawford Road
General Reference Department 623-2856 Jefferson 623-7004
850 Jefferson Avenue
History &> Geography Department 623-2864
Lorain 623-7011
Library for the Blind &> Physically 623-2911 8216 Lorain Avenue
Handicapped
Martin Luther King, Jr. 623-7018
Literature Department 623-2881 1962 East 107th Street
Map Collection 623-2880 Memorial 623-7025
Newspaper Collection 623-2904 15212 Lake Shore Boulevard
Patents 623-2870 Mt. Pleasant 623-7032
14000 Kinsman Road
Photograph Collection 623-2871
Nottingham 623-7039
Popular Library 623-2842 760 East 185th Street
Public Administration Library 623-2919 Rice 623-7046
Science &> Technology Department 623-2932 2820 East 116th Street
Social Sciences Department 623-2860 Rockport 623-7053
4421 West 140th Street
Special Collections 623-2818
South 623-7060
Branch Libraries 3096 Scranton Road
Addison 623-6906 South Brooklyn 623-7067
6901 Superior Avenue 4303 Pearl Road
Broadway 623-6913 Sterling 623-7074
5417 Broadway Avenue 2200 East 30th Street
Brooklyn 623-6920 Superior 623-7081
3706 Pearl Road 1347 East 105th Street
Carnegie West 623-6927 Union 623-7088
1900 Fulton Road 3463 East 93rd Street
Collinwood 623-6934 Walz 623-7095
856 East 152nd Street 7910 Detroit Avenue
East 131st Street 623-6941 West Park 623-7102
3820 East 131st 3805 West 157th Street
Eastman 623-6955 Woodland 623-7109
11602 Lorain Avenue 5806 Woodland Avenue
19~9ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CLEVELAND PUBLIC LffiRARY PAGE 13
PAGE 14
Board of Library Trustees - 1989
Michael V. Kelley
President
Marcia L. Fudge
Vice President, through May 18, 1989
Elizabeth L. Coles
Secretary
David M. Novak
Paul J. DeGrandis, Jr.
Thomas D. Corrigan
Judge Stephanie Tubbs Jones
Administration
Marilyn Gell Mason, Director
Norman Holman, Deputy Director
Joan L. Clark, Head of Main Library
Phyllis J. Martin, Head of Community Services
Edward Seely, Head of Technical Services
Joan F. Brown, Personnel Officer
Joan L. Tomkins, Business Manager
Frances M. Clark, Public Relations Supervisor
Robert T. Carterette Jr., Automated Systems Manager
Friends of the Cleveland Public Library. Inc.
James H. Woodring, President
Paul R Bjorn, Vice President
Estelle Shorter Holmes, Secretary
Dennis P. Anderson, Treasurer
Nancy Dwyer, Mary Scelsi, Co-Directors
1989 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CLEVELAND PUBLIC LmRARY
Cleveland Public Library
325 Superior Avenue
Cleveland. Ohio 44114-1271
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
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