Cuyahoga County Public Library

Cuyah og a Coun ty Public Library / Reconnect with Reading 365: It’s a Year of Reading / 2013 Annual Report
Table of Contents
About the Cover Photo
In February 2014, we compiled a list of the
top titles that everybody was buzzing about
last year. Then we surveyed our customers
online to see which of those titles they
thought were the best of the best. The books
featured on the cover of this report are
their selections.
If you haven’t read these great books already,
don’t miss out. Copies are waiting for you at
your local Cuyahoga County Public Library
branch and online at cuyahogalibrary.org.
Reconnecting with Reading
Pardon the pun, but 2013 was “one for the books” at Cuyahoga County Public
Library. It will surely go down as a year of major milestones for our library system.
Not only did we celebrate our 90th anniversary, we also completed six building
replacement projects in our Facilities Master Plan, circulated nearly 20 million items,
launched a new website and earned Library Journal’s prestigious 5-Star rating for the
fifth consecutive year.
It was also the first year of our new strategic plan – the plan your feedback helped
create. If you recall, back in 2012 we put out a call to county residents to tell us
what they felt we were doing well, what we could do better, and what weren’t doing
that we should be doing to support their needs. The response was phenomenal.
Thousands of people took the time to share their thoughts about the direction of
our organization.
What we learned is that our customers overwhelming support three primary areas
of strategic focus – Reading, Lifelong Learning and Civic Engagement. Of those
areas, most of you felt strongly that reading should remain our top priority. Well, we
couldn’t agree more. That’s why we’ve declared 2014 the “Year of Reading.”
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
The Cuckoo’s Calling
by Robert Galbraith
Inferno by Dan Brown
The Longest Ride
by Nicholas Sparks
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts
And the Mountains Echoed
by Khaled Hosseini
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
2- 3
A Letter from Our Board President
4- 5
From the Desk of Our Executive Director
6- 7
2013 Year in Review
8- 9
Our Collection
10 - 11
Our Strategic Focus
12 - 13
Reading
14 - 15
Lifelong Learning
16 - 17
Civic Engagement
18 - 19
Our Facilities Master Plan
20 - 21
Olmsted Falls Branch
22 - 23
Mayfield Branch
24 - 25
North Royalton Branch
26 - 27
Garfield Heights Branch
28 - 29
Parma Branch
30 - 31
Parma-Snow Branch
32 - 33
It’s a year of reading!
Now, we know that you know that promoting reading is important to us. We get that.
But here’s the thing, twenty-aught-fourteen is going to be just a little different. We’re
taking things up a notch with a year-long initiative called Reconnect with Reading
365 (as in 365 days a year). It’s all about cultivating a community that enjoys and
appreciates reading, connecting people with books they’ll love and having fun while
we’re doing it.
Sycamore Row by John Grisham
About Us
You see, we believe that frequent reading is critically important to the success, health
and vitality of individuals and our community. Frequent readers are far more likely to
excel in school, land good jobs and give back to the community. They even tend to
be healthier than folks who read infrequently or not at all. By fostering a community
of readers, we can make Cuyahoga County an even better place to live, work
and grow.
In the spirit of Reconnect with Reading 365 we’ve highlighted the recommendations of
our staff, customers and community partners throughout this report. These are books
that we loved and want to share with you. It’s our hope that they inspire you to visit
your local branch or cuyahogalibrary.org to reconnect with reading.
Our 2013 Financials
34 - 35
The Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation
36
2013 Gifts to the Foundation
37
2013 Grants and Gifts to the Library
38
2013 Gifts to the Capital Campaign
39
About Us
Branch Locations
Cuyahoga County Public Library was established in 1923 as a separate political subdivision
governed by a seven-member Board of Trustees authorized by the State of Ohio to establish
policies and develop an annual budget.
B AY V I L L A G E B R A N C H
G ates M ills B ranch
Parma B ranch
Mark McKinstry, Manager
Katherine Malmquist, Manager
Kathleen Sullivan, Manager
Scott Rhee, President,
Brian Zollar, President,
Harriet Synk, President,
Friends of the Bay Village Branch
Friends of the Gates Mills Branch
Friends of the Parma Branches
Tracy Strobel
Deputy Director
Our Board members represent the citizens’ interest while promoting the highest level of library
service appropriate to the community, in accordance with state law. They are appointed for
seven-year terms by Cuyahoga County government and the Court of Common Pleas, and
they serve without remuneration. The Library Board has no taxing authority and must have
Cuyahoga County Government place ballot issues before the voters in our service district.
B eachw o o d B ranch
I ndependence B ranch
Parma H eights B ranch
William Kelly, Manager
Catherine Schultis, Manager
Kevin Payne, Manager
Kathy Rothenfeld, President,
Jim Szatkowski, President,
Kate Lukas, President,
Judith Carey
Development Director
Cuyahoga County Public Library has 27 branches that serve 47 communities. Our branches
are open 7 days and 4 nights per week.
Friends of the Beachwood Branch
Friends of the Independence Branch
Friends of the Parma Heights Branch
Our Administrative Offices are located in the City of Parma.
B erea B ranch
M aple H eights B ranch
Parma - S n o w B ranch
Pamela DeFino, Manager
Andrew Harant, Manager
Stacey Boycik, Manager
Carol Casciani, President,
Ruthann Ishihara, President,
Harriet Synk, President,
Our Mission
Friends of the Berea Branch
Friends of the Maple Heights Branch
Friends of the Parma Branches
Cuyahoga County Public Library will be at the center of community life by providing an
environment where reading, lifelong learning and civic engagement thrive.
B recksville B ranch
M ayfield B ranch
R ichm o nd H eights B ranch
Catherine Schultis, Manager
William Rubin, Manager
William Rubin, Manager
Janice Strong, President,
Ed Hargate, President,
Our Vision
Friends of the Brecksville Branch
Friends of the Mayfield Branch
The Library will support initiatives and efforts that impact the quality of life for all in Cuyahoga
County. We will be the most convenient public library in the nation and be known for the
quality of our customer service. Our branches and website will be centers of excellence and
serve as gathering places. Through innovative services and collaborations we will satisfy
our communities’ needs and exceed expectations. Our staff will reflect the diversity of our
communities and promote and create an accessible, friendly environment.
B r o o k Park B ranch
M iddleb u rg H eights
Susan LaKosh, President,
Kevin Payne, Manager
B ranch
Friends of the Solon Branch
Cynthia Halabica, President,
Vicki Adams-Cook, Manager
Friends of the Brook Park Branch
Jay Farris, President,
Cuyahoga County
Public Library
Executive Team:
Sari Feldman
Executive Director
Daniel Hauenstein
Human Resources Director
Scott Morgan
Operations Director/
Fiscal Officer
Hallie Rich
Marketing and
Communications Director
Meghann McCall
Marnecheck
Executive Division
Manager
Friends of the Middleburg Heights Branch
Monday – Thursday
9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Friday – Saturday
9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
S o u th E u clid - Lyndh u rst
B ranch
Steven Haynie, Manager
B r o o klyn B ranch
Hours of Operation
S o l o n B ranch
Lane Edwards, Manager
Lucinda Bereznay, Manager
N o rth Olmsted B ranch
Maria Hoffman, President,
Susan Schueller, President,
Valerie Kocin, Manager
Friends of the Brooklyn Branch
Sharon Raquet, President,
Friends of the
South Euclid-Lyndhurst Branch
Friends of the North Olmsted Branch
C hagrin Falls B ranch
Katherine Malmquist, Manager
N o rth R o yalt o n B ranch
Beth Davidian, President,
Jeanne Cilenti, Manager
Friends of the Chagrin Falls Branch
Kelly Close, President,
Friends of the North Royalton Branch
Fairview Park B ranch
Elaine Wilkinson, Manager
Olmsted Falls B ranch
Colleen Dunn, President,
Valerie Kocin, Manager
Friends of the Fairview Park Branch
Denise Busch, President,
Friends of the Olmsted Falls Branch
G arfield H eights B ranch
Melanie Rapp-Weiss, Manager
Orange B ranch
Mary Jaholynycky, President,
Julie Liedtke, Manager
Friends of the Garfield Heights Branch
Richard Leskovec, President,
Friends of the Orange Branch
S o u theast B ranch
Jeanne Sapir, Manager
Andrew Glasier, Vice President,
Friends of the Southeast Branch
S tr o ngsville B ranch
Donna Meyers, Manager
Kim Wasielewski, President,
Friends of the Strongsville Branch
Warrensville H E I G H T S
B ranch
Jesse Sanders, Manager
Tanya Brown, President,
Friends of the Warrensville Heights Branch
Find your local branch online at cuyahogalibrary.org/branches.aspx.
p.3
A Letter from Our Board President
Whenever my fellow Board members and I travel to library conferences we are approached by the staff and board
members of other library systems. People see the words “Cuyahoga County Public Library” on our name tags and
they want to learn all they can about our library system’s innovative initiatives and programs.
The Cuyahoga County Public Library Board of Trustees takes a great deal of pride in the fact that other libraries
across the nation consider our system the gold standard of public library service. It is truly a testament to our staff
and their deep commitment to excellent customer service that our library system has earned this reputation. We set
the bar high, and there is no question in my mind that we have the best staff in the country.
I have had the privilege of serving our community as president of the Cuyahoga County Public Library Board of
Trustees for the past two years, and I am amazed at all that we have accomplished in that short time. Last year alone
we celebrated our 90th anniversary, our fourth consecutive highest overall rating among large library systems and
the completion of six major building projects in our Facilities Master Plan, the most significant capital improvement
program the Library has ever undertaken. Needless to say, it was a very special year in the history of our organization.
I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to cut the ribbons for seven new buildings and four renovation projects
during my tenure as president. With each snip of the giant scissors came the satisfaction of knowing that we had
taken another important step in positioning the Library for continued relevance in the face of changing community
needs. The most gratifying part of our ribbon cutting celebrations had to be the thousands of Cuyahoga County
residents who joined us at each grand opening. That show of support was inspiring, to say the least.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees I want to thank everyone who celebrated with us last year, the residents of the
47 communities we serve, our Friends groups, donors and the Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation for their
ongoing support. It has been an absolute joy to serve as Board president during this amazing time in the Library’s
history, and I look forward to continuing my service on the Board as a trustee and furthering our important work.
Robert W. Varley, President
Recommended
Reading:
Cutting for Stone
by Abraham
Verghese
“I tend to read books based on recommendations from people I know. A few years
ago, Sari Feldman recommended that I read Abraham Verghese’s Cutting for Stone
before his presentation at the Library Foundation’s Writers Center Stage program.
This book struck a chord with me because it is a story about medicine, compassion,
family and healing. I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Verghese at a pre-show dinner
and hear more about his perspective on medicine and the importance of doctors
connecting with their patients. That conversation, in addition to the story in the book,
gave me further insight into what my son will experience when he finishes his training
to become a surgeon.”
2013 Board of Trustees
Maria L. Spangler
Vice President
Susan M. Adams
Trustee
Dale D. Powers
Trustee
Edward H. Blakemore
Secretary
Edna Fuentes-Casiano
Trustee
Patricia A. Shlonsky
Trustee
p.5
From the Desk of Our Executive Director
“One of the most important things a parent can
do with a child is to read aloud to them – and
not just when children are too young to read
themselves. Parents who read to their older
children provide benefits far beyond modeling
a joy for reading. They help their children grow
their vocabulary. They create opportunities for
conversations about topics that are sometimes
tough to tackle without a story as a guide.
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry is a book that
I read with my daughters when they were in
grade school. Set in Denmark in 1943 in the
midst of the German occupation, it is the story
of a family involved in the resistance movement
and their efforts to save Jewish friends. Told
from the perspective of ten-year-old Annemarie
Johansen, the novel is more than a World War
II story; it is a universal tale about identity,
growing up and finding the strength to be
brave in moments of true adversity.”
Recommended
Reading:
Number the Stars
by Lois Lowry
I don’t know about anyone else, but
I tend to reach for a good book at
the end of a particularly busy day.
In fact, reading has always been my
favorite way to unwind – just ask my
older sister, who will tell you that I
used to beg her to read to me every
night when we were little. Books
provide an escape for some and a
world of discovery for others. They
open our eyes to people and places
we may never have seen, and they
open our hearts to stories of joy,
sorrow, compassion and beauty
that we may only ever experience
through the written word.
After an incredibly busy 2013 at
Cuyahoga County Public Library,
we felt it was time to get back to
the book – to settle into the new,
comfortable reading spaces that we
th
opened in our 90 anniversary year. Never before has the Library embarked on such an ambitious building
program as our Facilities Master Plan. We cut the ribbon on six new buildings in 2013 and celebrated with
thousands of customers at our grand opening events. As icing on our 90th birthday cake, Cuyahoga County
Public Library topped the list of U.S. public library systems of our size in per capita circulation for the fourth
consecutive year.
Through all the activity and excitement of the past year, the Library remains committed to our three areas
of strategic focus: Reading, Lifelong Learning and Civic Engagement. We know that the library of the 21st
century must serve as a community connection point – a center of community learning. Staff from across
our organization came together in October 2013 to re-imagine how library programming can better align
with our areas of focus and address community needs. We are strengthening our technology offerings and
expanding our literacy programs. We have forged new partnerships to support young readers through oneon-one tutoring and to keep our customers connected to local news with access to digital content.
In 2014, we will take advantage of every opportunity to help our customers (re)connect with reading. Our
Reconnect with Reading 365 campaign is our way of keeping books and reading top-of-mind for customers
and staff every single day. Whether it is building early literacy skills in our newly enhanced Play, Learn &
Grow spaces or providing customized reading suggestions in our branches and online, our goal is to help
our customers do everything from learning to read to finding their next great read.
I am incredibly grateful for the enduring support that our customers, staff, donors, Friends, Foundation Board
and Operating Board provide. Two thousand thirteen was a banner year for Cuyahoga County Public
Library, and I am energized by the opportunities we have before us in 2014 and beyond.
p.7
2013 Year in Review
When most people think of libraries, they think of books and reading – which is awesome because we want to be known as our
community’s first and best resource to reconnect with reading.
VISIT
But the truth is that books and reading are part of our story. We do so much more. Among large, urban library systems, Cuyahoga
County Public Library is the fourth busiest overall and ranks first in the nation in per capita circulation, program attendance and
customer visits.
7,904,020
In other words, our customers borrow more items and go to more library programs on average than anybody, anywhere else.
READ
Branch
visitors
8,000,984
CONNECT
website Visits
1,256,913 hours of
PUBLIC COMPUTER USE
BORROW
11,957 Meeting Room use
19,743,393
291,474 Meeting Room
registered
TC
H
Cardholders
P L AY
N
TE
924,133
attendance
IS
WA
items Borrowed
L
ASK
ENGAGE
1,479,868 informational
20,533 Programs sponsored
2,837,354 directional
Questions Answered
Questions Answered
406,406 Program attendance
46,193 Summer Reading
program participation
p.9
Our Collection
Getting the Balance Right
You can pretty much break down our world-class collection of more than 3 million items into
four categories – stuff you read, stuff you watch, stuff you listen to and stuff you can play with,
like children’s toys or video games.
Building a world-class library collection is a lot trickier than
you might think. It’s a balancing act. On the one hand, your
resources are always going to be limited. On the other hand,
your customers’ needs are always evolving. What they needed
yesterday is not necessarily what they need today – and you
can bet it’s not what they’ll need tomorrow.
19.37
13.05
0.26
%
PLAY
Children’s Toys, Video Games, DVDROMs, CD-ROMs & Story Kits.
LISTEN
Music CDs, Audiobooks, Books on
CD, eAudiobooks & eMusic.
So, if you want a collection of materials that excites and
energizes your customers, you have to get the balance right.
At Cuyahoga County Public Library we achieve that balance
through a deep understanding of our customers’ reading tastes
and by sharing resources with public and academic libraries
throughout Ohio. This combination allows us to maximize our
resources and offer more of the new, popular materials our
customers demand, while at the same time providing access
to the deep research materials they need to ace a test, write a
term paper or launch a small business.
Of course, these days when you talk about balance you need to
factor in digital content. We recognize that our customers are
increasingly interested in borrowing eBooks, and in response
to their growing demand we’ve built one of the largest eBook
collections in the country.
At the same time, the demise of printed books has been greatly
exaggerated. Our print circulation remains very strong,
proof that good old fashioned books are alive and well in
Cuyahoga County.
We believe that there’s plenty of room for books and eBooks to
coexist. The truth is, eBooks have created more opportunities
for readers to connect with books than ever before – and
that’s something to be excited about.
WATCH
DVDs, Blu-Rays, Digital Video
Devices & eVideo.
67.33
READ
Books, Magazines, Graphic Novels,
eBooks, eMagazines, etc.
The Warrensville Heights Branch provides access to traditional and digital content.
p.11
Our Strategic Focus
Cuyahoga County Public Library serves nearly 620,000
residents across the county, all with diverse and ever-changing
needs.
Over the past five years, we have experienced a cumulative
$20 million plus budget loss. This means it’s imperative that we
make smart, strategic choices to ensure that our materials and
services align with the areas of focus that are most important to
our community.
In late 2012 we unveiled a new strategic plan to focus our
limited resources on three key areas:
Now we’re endeavoring to align all that we do with those
areas of focus. We’re reimagining our program offerings so
that all of our programs are unique, impactful and supportive
of community needs. We are reinvigorating our efforts to
connect our customers with reading and exploring innovative
new ways to deliver lifelong learning and civic engagement
opportunities.
It’s a new chapter in our history – an exciting journey that
we’ve only just begun – and in the pages that follow we’re
thrilled to share with you some of the progress we’ve made
thus far.
• Reading
• Lifelong
• Civic
highlight story
NEO Media Group Partnership
Learning
Public libraries know the challenges facing book publishers and the newspaper industry
all too well. We have had to evolve to meet our customers’ changing needs and better
position ourselves to remain relevant in an increasingly digital world.
Engagement
So, last year when The Plain Dealer announced the reduction of its home delivery service
from seven to four days a week, we saw an opportunity to collaborate. Following the
announcement, we reached out to the newly formed Northeast Ohio Media Group
(NEOMG) – a digitally focused media company that consists of The Plain Dealer, Sun
Newspapers and Cleveland.com – with a proposal to enter into an innovative partnership
that touches all three areas of our strategic focus.
Recommended
Reading:
Now, as partners with NEOMG, we are expanding free access to the local news. For
starters, we have made The Plain Dealer e-edition available at all of our public computer
stations free of charge, seven days a week. Considering that so many residents rely on
our computers and high speed broadband to access news and information, making the
e-edition available in our branches was clearly a win-win.
A River Runs
At the same time, we’re teaching county residents the skills they need to access and
navigate the e-edition. We have hosted digital literacy workshops throughout our Library
system, and our staff members have been trained by the NEOMG to give our customers
assistance with the e-edition when they need it. Thanks to a $50,000 grant from the
NEOMG the Library purchased flat screen digital media players, tablet devices and
touch tables for our new Parma and Warrensville Heights branches – technology that
we’ll use to teach our customers critical digital literacy skills, stream local news content
provided by the NEOMG and create new opportunities for civic engagement.
Through It
by Norman
Maclean
We believe that informed communities are engaged communities, and through our
collaboration with the NEOMG we’ll be able to provide our customers with the news
stories of the day and reconnect with reading.
Paul Dolan, Co-Chair, CCPL Capital Campaign Steering Committee
“You might be surprised that one of my favorite books about a sport isn’t a book about baseball — it’s about fly fishing. About 30 years
ago, I first read Norman Maclean’s A River Runs Through It mainly because I was interested in fly fishing, and I was drawn in by the
fantastic descriptions of fishing in Montana. More than the fishing, however, is the story of family and relationships that it contains. It’s a
novella that can be read in one sitting, so I’ve come back to it many, many times over the years to read it from a different perspective. I’ve
read it as a father, as a son, as a brother and as a husband. Each time, it reveals something new about these important relationships that
resonates with me. Great writing has the power to speak to us in different ways at different times in our lives, and that’s what I appreciate
about this powerful work.”
p.13
Strategic Focus: Reading
Without a doubt, the strongest message we received during our
strategic planning process was that reading remains a priority.
It probably goes without saying that we wholeheartedly agree.
You see, while most people believe that reading is good for you
in a general way (sort of like eating vegetables or getting regular
exercise), we take it step further. We believe reading has the power
to transform individuals and even entire communities for the better.
Surely, you already know that frequent readers develop strong
reading skills, which contribute to academic achievement and
increase the likelihood of professional success. But did you know
that there’s also strong evidence that people who read frequently
are far more likely to be civically engaged; to give back to their
communities; and to support arts and culture than people who
read infrequently or not at all? Did you know that there’s even a
link between frequent reading and physical health?
It’s true, vitamin “R” is some powerful stuff.
The moral of this story is that we’re committed to being the community’s first
and best resource to reconnect with reading not just because we love and enjoy
books, but because we believe that by building a culture of reading we can help
make our community an even better place to live, work, play and grow.
Recommended
Reading:
BOOK BUZZ: The Reconnect with
Reading Action Group recommends
these fabulous 2013 titles.
highlight story
A Permanent Member of the Family
by Russell Banks
The Apartment by Greg Baxter
The Hired Man by Aminatta Forna
Reconnect with Reading 365
In 2014 we launched a year-long initiative that we’re
calling Reconnect with Reading 365 to celebrate the
joys and benefits of reading – every single day.
We’re turning up the volume on our reader’s advisory
services, author events and book discussions because
we want you to be as excited about reading as we are.
The Tilted World
by Tom Franklin & Beth Ann Fennelly
Hild by Nicola Griffith
Brown Dog: Novellas by Jim Harrison
Our Picnics in the Sun by Morag Joss
The Two Hotel Francforts
by David Leavitt
Think of us as matchmakers. You know, sort of like Cupid.
Except we want you to fall madly in love with reading.
Our reading experts are always cooking up new and
innovative ways to connect you with the perfect book,
whether it’s through our “3 for 3” and “Read Intuit”
online book recommendation services, our “What to
Read LIVE” events on Facebook, or our monthly book
display themes.
Want Not by Jonathan Miles
The next time you need a book recommendation, come
to us. We’ll hook you up.
The Empty Chair: Two Novellas
by Bruce Wagner
Quiet Dell by Jayne Anne Phillips
Death of the Black-Haired Girl
by Robert Stone
The Isle of Youth
by Laura van den Berg
A House in the Sky
by Amanda Lindhout & Sara Corbett
The Reconnect with Reading Action Group is Cuyahoga County Public Library’s talented team of reader’s advisory experts. These
folks are a supergroup, kinda like Cream, except they rock books instead of guitars. Their specialty? Connecting our customers with great
under-the-radar reads. Here they are posing with some of their all-time favorites.
p.15
Strategic Focus: Lifelong Learning
Libraries have always been about growing young minds and
supporting learning. We’re “brain builders” who help lay the
foundation for academic and career success. It’s an important role
that we embrace and are proud to fulfill.
But as times have changed, so too have the learning needs of
our communities.
Increasingly, Cuyahoga County residents at all stages of life are
turning to us for technology access and opportunities to build new
skills for the 21st century workplace. Our role is evolving, and while
reading remains our first priority, our lifelong learning services
have become more important to the health and vitality of our
community than ever before.
Recommended
Reading:
We want our branches to be centers of community-based education; places where
county residents at all stages of life may find convenient, engaging programs that
inspire and support individual growth. To that end, we spent the better part of
the past year strengthening our commitment to lifelong learning by refreshing
our focus on programming. Our goal: To ensure that every program we offer is
impactful, unique and meets community needs.
highlight story
The Valley of
Amazement
by Amy Tan
Partners in Lifelong Learning
Last fall, we teamed up the Laura and Alvin Siegal Lifelong Learning Program
at Case Western Reserve University to offer exciting new lifelong learning
opportunities to adults. Through a combination of face-to-face instruction and
live videoconference sessions, both led by CWRU instructors, we took deep dives
into four fascinating, thought-provoking books. Our first program, held at the
Beachwood Branch, was an insightful four-part exploration of statistician Nate
Silver’s provocative book, The Signal and the Noise. Led by Dr. Walt Glazer, we
examined how probabilistic thinking could be applied in practical ways to help
us become smarter decision makers.
For our second book, instructor Barbara Parr led a group of lifelong learners at
our Berea Branch in a discussion of Susan Cain’s bestseller, Quiet: The Power of
Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. Together we examined the immense
reserves of talent that have been lost due to our culture’s overvaluation of
extroversion, and the impact of this cultural shift on business, religion, education
and many other relevant aspects of our daily lives. Fascinating stuff.
Joann, Cuyahoga County Public Library Customer
“About 35 years ago, I was in a car accident and limited to visiting places that were within walking distance from my home. I began
coming to the Parma-Snow Branch rather frequently and decided to join the Monday night book club. I’ve been coming ever since. I love
staying on top of the latest books and discussing them with the group. It gives me the opportunity to learn about history and cultures.
Sometimes I like the books, sometimes I don’t - but I remain in the book club because it gives me a broader view of the world from the
library branch right down the street.”
Partnership
Testimonial:
“We are extremely pleased
with the successful launch of
our partnership with CCPL. The
libraries provide an excellent
platform for our lifelong
learning program to connect the
intellectual resources of CWRU
to the broader community of
Northeast Ohio.”
– Brian Amkraut,
Executive Director,
Laura and Alvin Siegal Lifelong
Learning Program,
CASE WESTERN RESERVE
UNIVERSITY
For our third discussion we turned to fiction. Under the direction of Dr. Sylvia F.
Abrams, retired Dean of the Laura and Alvin Siegal College of Judaic Studies,
customers at our Maple Heights Branch discussed B.A. Shapiro’s The Art Forger,
a compelling novel of greed and ambition, set around the 1990 Isabella Stewart
Gardner Museum art theft. The program was a rare opportunity to participate in
a graduate-level book discussion outside the classroom with an expert instructor.
Last but not least, our Garfield Heights, Mayfield and North Royalton branches
hosted live, interactive videoconferences examining one of the Cleveland area’s
most well-known exports – Superman. In four sessions, Mike Olszewski, president
of the Siegel & Shuster Society, led us in discussion of Superman creators Jerry
Siegel and Joe Shuster, how the Man of Steel has evolved over three quarters of
a century and what the character has to say about our notions of truth, justice
and the American way.
p.17
Strategic Focus: Civic Engagement
One of the most gratifying insights we learned from our strategic
planning process was that residents view our branches as
community hubs; welcoming places where they can connect with
friends and neighbors, and find opportunities to give back and
get involved.
The fact that we take our role as community hubs very seriously is
evident in the deep investments we’ve made in time, energy and
resources to strengthen our commitment to civic engagement.
To us, civic engagement means providing resources that inform
and empower citizens, and convening civic dialogue on community
issues. It means coming together as a community to meet challenges
head on and make a difference in the places we call home.
Certainly one of the most important and impactful ways we
support civic engagement is through our public spaces. To
enhance our civic engagement efforts, we’ve outfitted our new
branches with flexible, AV-equipped public meeting spaces
that can accommodate everything from children’s Kindergarten
readiness programs to multimedia presentations to community forums; plus super
fast gigabit broadband to support community-based education and access to
e-government.
We’re committed to civic engagement because we believe that engaged
communities are better places to live, work and play. We view ourselves as civic
engagement leaders – bridge builders that bring people with different perspectives
together to support a stronger community.
Recommended
Reading:
highlight story
Chasing Utopia
by Nikki Giovanni
“When acclaimed poet
Nikki Giovanni came to
the Warrensville Heights
Branch last year, I saw how
powerful books can be in
drawing people together. In
the absence of community,
people feel their voices go
unheard. Nikki Giovanni‘s
poetry helps people to
see that they are part of
something larger beyond
themselves. Her message is
one of accountability and
participation in the world
we know – and it‘s genuine,
which people recognize
the moment they read her
work or hear her speak. It's
important for our community
to see a woman, an artist,
a force like Nikki Giovanni
because it reminds us to
value our individuality for
what it brings to others in
the world.”
The Redbox Outside the Box Program
In 2013, Cuyahoga County Public Library was selected to be one of only five libraries in
the country to participate in a pilot program with the DVD rental company Redbox and
OCLC. The pilot, called Outside the Box, is a community initiative designed to empower
neighborhood leaders nationwide to create unique public entertainment experiences that
bring people together and strengthen communities.
The folks at Redbox chose to partner with libraries for Outside the Box because they
understand the central role we play in community life. As participants in the program
we were thrilled to receive their support to put on two amazing public events. Our first
Outside the Box event was held in early September, in conjunction with the grand opening
of our new Garfield Heights Branch. In a nod to Redbox and the Garfield Heights Branch’s
new, high-tech audio and video recording studios we decided to give the grand opening
celebration a “Movie Mania” theme.
Thanks in large part to Redbox, our Outside the Box celebration featured loads of movie
related activities, including the biggest hit of the afternoon – a green screen photo booth
where our customers enjoyed getting their pictures taken in a variety of fantastical locations,
including Hogwarts and the Land of Oz. The event was a blockbuster that brought more
than 2,500 friends and family together.
For an encore, we held our second Outside the Box event in late September at the
Warrensville Heights Branch. Redbox generously provided us with a huge, inflatable
movie screen, state-of-the-art movie projection and audio equipment, bistro-style seating
and great big rolls of Astroturf that we used to transform the parking lot into an outdoor
movie picnic area. Kids and their families came out in droves with their blankets and lawn
chairs to eat freshly popped kettle corn and enjoy a showing of the movie Despicable Me.
We had a great time, and it was so rewarding to see the community come together for an
evening of family fun.
Warrensville Heights Mayor Brad Sellers
p.19
Our Facilities Master Plan
In June 2010, following an open public comment period, the Cuyahoga County Public Library Board of Trustees voted unanimously
to adopt the Facilities Master Plan, the most significant building improvement program in the Library’s history.
The Plan consists of priority construction, relocation and renovation projects and seeks to reduce the Library’s long-term operating
costs in the face of state funding cuts and reduced tax collections. It was created so that we can focus our operating dollars on longterm viability and excellent customer service rather than building maintenance and energy costs.
THE FACILITIES MASTER PLAN PRIORITY PROJECTS
Completed Projects
Warrensville Heights Branch / Project Type: New Construction / Grand Opening – April 21, 2012
Solon Branch / Project Type: Renovation / Completion – May 2, 2012
Beachwood Branch / Project Type: Renovation / Completed – June 10, 2012
Fairview Park Branch / Project Type: Renovation / Completion– August 1, 2012
The Goals Of the Plan
• To build new facilities that are much more energy efficient, cost-effective and accessible, saving millions each year in operating
and maintenance costs.
• To reduce our dependence on state funding without adding to local property taxes.
• To establish equity of service throughout our entire district.
• To increase our capacity to meet community needs.
• To enhance community revitalization efforts.
Funding the Plan
We are committed to living within our current 2.5 millage (the lowest tax millage of any library system in Cuyahoga County), and we
are not asking taxpayers for additional funding to complete the Facilities Master Plan.
The priority projects in our Facilities Master Plan are funded through three revenue streams:
Olmsted Falls Branch
Project Type: New Construction
Grand Opening – February 23, 2013
North Royalton Branch
Project Type: New Construction
Grand Opening – August 3, 2013
Parma Branch
Project Type: New Construction
Grand Opening – October 26, 2013
Mayfield Branch
Project Type: New Construction
Grand Opening – April 20, 2013
Garfield Heights Branch
Project Type: New Construction
Grand Opening – September 7, 2013
Parma-Snow Branch
Project Type: Renovation/Expansion
Grand Opening – December 7, 2013
1. $75 million raised through the sale of notes.
2. Cuyahoga County Public Library’s existing capital funds.
3. Funds raised through the Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation’s Beyond Bricks and Books Capital Campaign.
THE IMPACT OF THE PLAN
In 2013, we completed seven priority projects, including five new construction projects, a renovation of the Chagrin Falls Branch and
a major renovation and expansion of the Parma-Snow Branch. For each of these projects we worked with local contractors, architects
and construction management firms to ensure that every branch offers something different.
The design and features of these new and renovated branches are the direct results of community feedback and focus group input.
Though their basic components are consistent, each branch offers something unique and is equipped with materials and technology
to support the needs of their communities. With each project we seek to enhance the quality of service we provide.
In 2014 we look forward to the completion of a new Orange Branch in the fall and improvements to the Brook Park, Independence,
Maple Heights and Southeast branches.
Upcoming Projects
Orange Branch / Project Type: New Construction / Grand Opening – Fall 2014
Independence Branch / Project Type: Renovation / Completion – Spring 2014
Maple Heights Branch / Project Type: Renovation / Completion – Spring 2014
Southeast Branch / Project Type: Renovation / Completion – Spring 2014
Brook Park Branch / Project Type: Renovation / Completion – Winter 2014
Chagrin Falls Branch
Project Type: Renovation
Completion – June 15, 2013
South Euclid-Lyndhurst Branch
Project Type: New Construction / Completion – Fall 2015
Parma Heights Branch / Project Type: TBD
p.21
New Olmsted Falls Branch
8100 Mapleway Drive
Cuyahoga County Public Library first began providing service to
the Olmsted Falls community from a historic two-story cottage on
Main Street in 1955. It was a charming location that served us well,
but over time it became apparent that the building could no longer
adequately support community needs. Our customers wanted
more parking spaces, public meeting space, more computers and
better accessibility for the handicapped – none of which we could
provide given the building’s physical limitations.
In 2011 we hired an outside firm to work with the City of Olmsted
Falls and survey the Olmsted Falls community. We wanted to
know whether or not residents would support the construction of
a new branch located on a portion of a five-acre plot of city-
owned land at Bagley Road and Mapleway Drive adjacent to the
Olmsted Community Center. Ninety percent of survey respondents
supported the construction, and by winter we were holding
community focus groups.
It was a warm July morning in 2012 when we finally broke ground
on an approximately 6,000-square-foot, single-level branch. Less
than a year later, on a considerably less warm February afternoon,
we were joined by a crowd of 2,000 people for a Winter Carnivalstyle grand opening celebration, complete with dog sled and ice
carving demonstrations, fresh hot donuts and beverages, and
limited edition commemorative library cards. The show of support
was absolutely incredible – particularly on a cold, blustery day.
The traditional look and amenities of the new Olmsted Falls
Branch are direct reflections of community focus group
feedback. Designed by Van Dyke Architects, the branch is built
for adaptability and convenience. Its features include a full
service drive-up window; a flexible, AV-equipped community
meeting room; super high speed broadband and WiFi access;
and a cozy reading area with a gas fireplace.
Unique Building Features:
• Flexible, audio visual-equipped community meeting room.
• A full-service drive-up window.
Circulation increased
more than 32 percent
and customer visits
increased 124 percent
in the first ten months
at the new Olmsted
Falls Branch.
A Warm Fire and a Good Book / A warm fireplace and comfy chairs provide the perfect
spot to reconnect with reading.
New Olmsted Falls Branch
Winter Carnival / A crowd of more than 2,000 eager library supporters gathered to celebrate the ribbon cutting for their new branch.
Choo Choo! / The locomotive-themed children’s area pays homage to Olmsted
community tradition.
p.23
New Mayfield Branch
500 SOM Center Road
On April 20, 2013, a crowd of more than 3,000 gathered for our special Earth Day/Birthday event in celebration of our 90th anniversary,
Earth Day and the grand opening of our new Mayfield Branch. In keeping with our Earth Day theme, the family-friendly event featured a
variety of “green” activities including a gardening presentation by representatives of Pettiti Garden Centers, a nature-themed children’s puppet
show and the Cleveland Metroparks’ very cool, hands-on “touch table” where adventurous kids could handle a variety of animal furs and
scaly reptile skin.
We chose the Earth Day/Birthday theme in part to honor the 30,000-square-foot Mayfield Branch’s unique design, which combines the look
and feel of a nature center with the amenities of a modern library. The building’s location ties into Mayfield Village’s Northwest Quadrant
project to develop a vibrant community center in a park setting. It’s nestled against the Greenway Trail, an all-purpose hike-and-bike route that
connects to the Mayfield Village Recreation Center and Cleveland Metroparks’ beautiful North Chagrin Reservation. The branch’s sandstone
exterior rises up from a landscape of native plant species, enticing passing hikers to stop in, relax and explore.
But don’t let all the nature vibes fool you. The true beauty of the new Mayfield Branch lies in its functionality. It’s a bona fide stateof-the-art facility with innovative sustainability features, from its raised flooring system to daylight harvesting to rain gardens that
manage stormwater runoff. The branch offers numerous community spaces that can be adapted to support a wide variety of
public programs and civic engagement opportunities; super high speed gigabit broadband and WiFi access; more than 60 public
computers; and a Technology Training Center where we host free computer classes. It’s a cutting edge community center where form
and function combine harmoniously.
Unique Building Feature: • A children’s Play, Learn and Grow space with interactive discovery stations features artwork from the Caldecott Medal-winning
children’s book In the Small, Small Pond by author/illustrator Denise Fleming.
The surrounding wetlands are also reflected in the interior of the building through earth tone colors, and accents of wood and stone. Solera
windows flood the branch with soft daylight and provide panoramic views of the Greenway Trail. The floors and fixtures echo the natural
forms of grassland and flowing water. Science-themed discovery stations, developed in partnership with North Chagrin Metropark, invite
youngsters to explore the wonders of the natural world.
In its first week,
Mayfield Branch
customers borrowed
nearly 28,000 items.
New Mayfield Branch
Natural Connection / The design of the new Mayfield Branch combines sustainability with a modern design that reflects the beauty of the
surrounding parklands.
Comfy and Quiet / Customers at the new Mayfield Branch unwind with a good read in
the branch’s quiet reading area.
Reading Fun-Damentals / Nature-themed discovery stations help children learn
their ABCs.
p.25
New North Royalton Branch
5071 Wallings Road
In 2010, our Board of Trustees identified the replacement of the North Royalton Branch located on State Road as a priority project in our
Facilities Master Plan. At approximately 15,000-square-feet, the city-owned building was clearly undersized to serve the needs of the growing
North Royalton community. Our customers kept telling us they needed more community meeting spaces, more public computer stations and
quiet study rooms – enhancements that the aging building simply could not support. So, we set out to build them a new, 30,000-square-foot
facility with more efficient mechanical systems and modern amenities; a branch that would meet and exceed their expectations.
From its flexible community meetings spaces to its dedicated teen space and nearly 50 public access computers, the features of the
new branch are the direct results of community feedback. It’s more than a building – or even a library for that matter. It’s a reflection
of a community, and we look forward to many happy years of service.
Through our Facilities Master Plan projects we strive not only to create world-class libraries, but to support the economic development plans
of our local governments. The North Royalton Branch project was no exception. In early 2011, we entered into a purchase agreement with
the City of North Royalton to build our new branch on a parcel of city-owned property on Wallings Road just east of State Road, adjacent to
the new North Royalton Family YMCA. Together, our new branch and the YMCA would anchor the city’s plans to create a vibrant city center.
• An interactive children’s Play, Learn and Grow space designed to foster early childhood learning skills and featuring artwork
from the children’s books Eye Guess and Animals in Camouflage by author/illustrator Phyllis Limbacher Tildes.
• A beautiful collage entitled (ôfset) by Cleveland born artist TR Ericsson.
Unique Building Features:
We broke ground on the new North Royalton Branch in July of 2012. The project took a little more than a year to complete, and in the days
leading up to the grand opening the excitement in the community was palpable. When we finally cut the ribbon on August 3, 2013, more
than 3,000 people showed up to celebrate. To say the event was a smashing success would be an understatement. It was the largest crowd
we’ve had at any grand opening in recent memory. We dished up an afternoon of delicious treats provided by local food trucks, cooking
demonstrations by our friends at The Charmed Kitchen and free photo booths. Judging by the photos we received, our visitors had a great
time showing their library love and hamming it up with our 90th birthday props.
Circulation increased
nearly 40 percent
and customer visits
increased nearly 45
percent in the first
month at the new North
Reading Discovery
Royalton Branch.
/ A virtual sea of books greets visitors to the new North
Royalton Branch.
New North Royalton Branch
Synergy / The new North Royalton Branch was built adjacent to the city’s new YMCA, in support of local economic development plans.
Teen Space / Computers with high speed broadband, study tables and learning resources
support student success.
p.27
New Garfield Heights Branch
5409 Turney Road
On September 7, 2013, we celebrated the opening of our new, 30,000-square-foot Garfield Heights Branch built in the heart of the city’s
Civic Center Complex. The event was made possible by the Redbox Outside the Box initiative to empower neighborhood leaders nationwide
to create unique public entertainment experiences that bring people together and strengthen communities. In honor of Redbox, we dubbed
the celebration “Movie Mania.”
One of the special features of the new Garfield Heights Branch is its Play, Learn and Grow children’s space, outfitted with interactive
play stations designed by the Burgeon Group to foster early literacy and learning skills. The branch also boasts the library system’s
only teen space with a video recording studio – a welcoming afterschool environment for students to explore their creativity and
learn 21st century skills.
More than 2,500 eager customers came to experience their new, state-of-art Library branch and enjoy family-friendly activities, including a
movie make-up demonstration, green screen photo fun, prize raffles sponsored by Baker & Taylor, and a special visit from PBS Kids’ popular
character Super Why. It was gratifying to see hundreds of people waiting patiently in line to get new library cards and leaving with armloads
of books and movies.
Unique Building Features:
The new Garfield Heights Branch features a flexible, eco-friendly design, an expanded collection of materials and unique technology features.
The old building, which stood for more than 50 years, had been tucked away at the bottom of sloping hill, virtually hidden from the passing
traffic on Turney Road. The new branch sweeps boldly up to street level, its dynamic glass façade giving passersby an inviting glimpse of the
activity inside the building.
• A state-of-the-art teen makerspace featuring an audio/video recording studio and computer access where we host programs
designed to teach 21st century learning skills like sound recording, overdubbing and green screen technology.
• An interactive children’s Play, Learn and Grow space made possible by a generous donation from the Parker Hannifin Corporation in memory of Ann Washkewicz.
• A Homework Center space with computer access, where students receive free afterschool homework help, made possible by a
generous donation from Chart Industries, Inc.
• A 10-panel, ceiling suspended abstract sculpture entitled Chaos, created by artist Sarah Kabot.
Circulation
increased 68
percent in the first
three months at
the new Garfield
Heights Branch.
New Garfield Heights Branch
Adaptable / The new Garfield Heights Branch features an eco-friendly design able to adapt to community needs over time.
Connected Learning / With its super high speed connectivity, the Garfield Heights Branch
the perfect place to take a free computer class, surf the web or engage in distance learning.
Building Lifelong Readers / Children build reading and learning skills through constructive
play activities in the Play, Learn and Grow space.
p.29
New Parma Branch
6996 Powers Boulevard
Chilly, blustery weather didn’t stop more than 3,000 people from joining us to celebrate the grand opening of the new, 43,000-squarefoot Parma Branch, located near Parma City Hall, the Donna Smallwood Activities Center and Parma Community General Hospital. The
“My Hometown” themed event paid homage to the City of Parma’s rich cultural heritage with live polka music, a Ukrainian Easter egg
demonstration and a delicious Parma favorite, Perla Homemade Delight’s pierogies. Grammy-nominated recording artist Zak Morgan even
stopped by to deliver a musical performance.
Designed by GPD Group, the new Parma Branch is equipped with a host of state-of-the-art technology features and hyper fast gigabit Internet
access to support community based learning. Upon entering the building, visitors are greeted by the Tech Wall, a series of hands-on discovery
stations where they can sample a variety of high-tech devices, explore our eBook collection and use touch screens to interact with artwork
from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Gallery One Exhibit. Its Technology Learning Center, more than 50 public access computers and quiet
study rooms make the Parma Branch an ideal location to take a free computer class or engage in distance learning.
You might say that the Parma Branch offers the best of both worlds. While the branch is nearly as high tech as the Starship Enterprise,
it also boasts an excellent collection of more than 130,000 items, plenty of comfy seating for readers to enjoy a good book
and youth spaces designed to foster lifelong readers. It’s a prototypical modern library, where tradition and technology blend
together seamlessly.
Unique Building Features:
• A state-of-the-art Tech Wall featuring hands-on discovery stations where customers can try out a variety of tablet devices,
browse the Library’s digital collection using the OverDrive Media Station and virtually explore the Cleveland Museum of Art’s
interactive Gallery One exhibit using touch screens.
• An interactive children’s Play, Learn and Grow space featuring artwork from the children’s books Here Comes Mother Goose
and My Very First Mother Goose by award-winning author/illustrator Rosemary Wells.
This spring, our Parma Branch customers can look forward to exciting new civic engagement opportunities thanks to a special partnership
with the Northeast Ohio Media Group. For starters, we’ll be offering free classes on how to use tablet devices and touch tables to access
digital media and create digital content. We’ll also stream news from The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com to make our library a local
news hub.
Customers borrowed
more than 36,400
items in the first
week at the new
Parma Branch!
New Parma Branch
High Tech Discovery / Visitors to the Tech Wall can explore and interact with works from the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Gallery One exhibit
and the Library's collection of digital media.
Designed to Inspire / The Play, Learn and Grow children’s space is designed to make
toddlers feel like they’ve stepped inside a Mother Goose storybook.
Afterschool Destination / Books, graphic novels, gaming stations and computers with
super high-speed Internet access make the teen space a popular, welcoming afterschool
destination for teens.
p.31
Newly renovated and expanded Parma-Snow Branch
2121 Snow Road
On the evening of Saturday, December 7th, a crowd of more than 2,000 joined us for our sixth ribbon cutting of 2013 – the grand re-opening
of our newly renovated and expanded Parma-Snow Branch. The theme of the celebration was “Family Night Out,” and entertainment
included performances by the Cleveland Music Settlement J@MS Jazz Band, the Cleveland Youth Orchestra and Inlet Dance Theatre in the
branch’s new “black box” public auditorium, a special Polar Express storytime and commemorative library cards. It was an amazing night;
the perfect capper to a very special year of grand openings.
Visitors to the newly expanded branch can also enjoy the convenience of its full service drive up window and expanded collection
of materials. In the spring we look forward to seeing customers settle in with a good book on the branch’s new terraced outdoor
reading area.
At roughly 12,000-square-feet, the Parma-Snow Branch was significantly undersized to meet the high demand for our materials and services.
The feedback we received from community focus groups reinforced the need for more computer stations; bigger, better public meeting spaces;
and enhanced services for kids and teens. In July of 2012 we moved our collection and services to a temporary location across the street in
Midtown Plaza, and began what was to be a dramatic renovation and expansion of the building.
• A state-of-the-art 400-seat public auditorium flexibly designed to accommodate a wide variety of performances, banquets,
meetings and other events.
• An interactive children’s Play, Learn and Grow space featuring artwork from the children's book LMNO Peas by author/
illustrator Keith Baker.
• A terraced outdoor reading area.
Unique Building Features:
The construction took a little more than a year to complete – but it was well worth the wait. We expanded the branch to approximately
41,000-square-feet, in the process linking it to our Administrative Office Building, and added a host of exciting new features. Designed by
Holzheimer Bolek + Meehan Architects with consultation from Westlake Reed Leskosky, the Parma-Snow Branch now boasts the only public
auditorium in our library system; flexible, AV-equipped community meeting rooms; more than 40 computer stations with super high speed
broadband; quiet study spaces; and amazing new children’s and teen spaces.
Customers visited the
newly renovated and
expanded ParmaSnow Branch more
than 27,000 times
and borrowed nearly
Community Space / The new "black box" auditorium can accommodate a variety
of events.
70,000 items in its
first month.
Parma-Snow Branch
Bigger and Better / To meet high demand for materials and services, the Parma-Snow Branch was expanded to roughly 41,000-square-feet.
Learning Through Play / The new children’s space is designed to inspire imaginative,
constructive play activities that help prepare kids for success in school.
p.33
Our 2013 Financials
At Cuyahoga County Public Library we strive to return the tremendous support we
receive from the 47 communities in our district with world-class library service. For five
consecutive years we’ve received the prestigious five-star rating in Library Journal’s
annual Index of Public Library Service, a national rating system that recognizes and
promotes America’s best libraries. We’re extremely proud of the fact that in each
of the last four years we’ve received the Index’s highest rating among libraries of
our size.
Carryover
revenues
In recent years we’ve experienced significant reductions in state and local funding that
threaten our long-term financial stability. Our proactive response to these reductions
include pursuing new sources of revenue, obtaining grant funding to support innovative
community-based education programs and making strategic decisions to reduce our
operating costs.
$ 1,872,199
Public Library Fund
18,838,105
Local Property Taxes
42,109,813
Patron Fines and Fees
1,249,590
Interest on Investments
10,790
Services Provided Other Entities
7,719
Miscellaneous
1,581,141
TOTAL
Last year we took a huge step towards continued financial stability with the completion
of six building projects in our Facilities Master Plan. The Plan is part of a long-term
financial program adopted by our Board of Trustees that will save millions of dollars in
operating costs annually by replacing inefficient buildings with sustainable buildings
that cost less to operate. The completion of the Plan will better position Cuyahoga
County Public Library to continue providing you with excellent service for generations
to come.
$ 65,669,357
GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES (OPERATING)
Salaries
For the fifth consecutive year, the Government Finance Officers Association has
awarded Cuyahoga County Public Library with the Certificate of Achievement for
Excellence in Financial Reporting. The certificate demonstrates our high standards
of accountability.
expenditures
$ 29,556,018
Employee Fringe Benefits
9,364,302
Supplies
1,002,101
Purchased and Contracted Services
8,585,316
Library Materials
9,496,838
Capital Outlay
694,784
Miscellaneous/Other
161,086
Advances and Transfers to Other Funds
TOTAL
6,117,080
$ 64,977,525
GENERAL FUND REVENUE TREND
80
Millions of [$] Dollars
Financial
Stewardship
GENERAL FUND REVENUE (OPERATING)
70
60
50
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
p.35
2013 Foundation
Board:
Janet AuWerter
Chair
William I. Russo, CFP®
Treasurer
Sari Feldman
President
The Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation
2013 Gifts to the Foundation
The Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation exists solely to support the Library. As a
separate 501(c)(3), the Foundation acts as the steward of all charitable contributions to the
Library and ensures the efficient use of your gifts.
$ 5 , 0 0 0 and ab o ve
The Foundation is committed to ensuring the Library’s vitality and excellence for current and
future generations by generating private sector support to supplement tax-based funding.
Charitable contributions fund vital Library programs, community outreach services, materials,
equipment, capital needs and more.
Gifts made to the Cuyahoga County Public Library Foundation are 100 percent tax-deductible
and will be used to help make a positive impact in the lives of county residents of all ages.
$ 2 , 5 0 0 – $ 4 ,9 9 9
Eileen Baugh Biehl
Madeline Brookshire
Estate of Eva Beckerman
Friends of the Chagrin Falls Branch
Patricia L. Kalbac
KeyBank Public Sector
McDonald Hopkins LLC
Midwest Tape
Panzica Construction
Project and Construction Services, Inc.
Regency Construction Services
J. Donald Cairns
Allyn Davies
Patrick Finley
Lori Ann Franklin
Gregory W. Gyllstrom
Miesha W. Headen
James P. Hildebrandt
$1, 0 0 0 – $ 2 , 4 9 9
Myah Moore Irick
Claude E. Kennard
Yoon S. Lee
Paul W. Linehan
Troy Meinhard
Marilyn Sanders
Mobley, PhD
Storytime at the Warrensville Heights Branch
Anthony M. Panzica
Michelle L. Potter
Laura H. Rocker, MD
Kenneth C. Schilling
Sally Schriner
Patricia A. Shlonsky
Lorie Hollington Smith
John W. Spencer, Jr.
Cuyahoga County
Public Library
Foundation
2111 Snow Road
Parma, Ohio
44134-2728
p 216.749.9420
f 216.749.9322
The Cleveland Indians
ComDoc
Eaton Corporation
GPD Group, Cleveland Office
Holzheimer Bolek & Meehan
Architects
JDD Inc.
Ozanne Construction Company
RFC Contracting Inc.
Roetzel & Andress
Ulmer & Berne LLP
1-2-3 READ
At Cuyahoga County Public Library we’re committed to supporting initiatives and efforts that
impact the quality of life for all who live, work and play in Cuyahoga County. Of the many
initiatives we support, early literacy is perhaps the nearest and dearest to our hearts. It’s also
one of the most important to the future vitality of our community. Why? Because students who
cannot read at grade level by the time they reach the end of the third grade are statistically far
less likely to do well in school – and far more likely to eventually drop out – than students who
read at or above their grade level.
Back in 2012, we told you about our partnership with The Literacy Cooperative to launch an
early literacy pilot program at our Warrensville Heights Branch called STEP, which sought to
ensure that students in Kindergarten and first grade were on track to read at or above their
grade level. Last year, we expanded on the STEP program concept through donor and grant
support and launched a new early literacy initiative called 1-2-3 Read. Now we’re offering
1-2-3 Read for at-risk students at our Garfield Heights and Warrensville Heights branches in
conjunction with our very successful Homework Centers program.
1-2-3 Read pairs at-risk students in grades K-2 with adult volunteers trained to provide effective,
engaging early literacy support. Last year, we worked closely with the Warrensville Heights
and Garfield Heights school districts to identify 40 students in need of support, and now we’re
tracking their progress to ensure each student reaches critical reading milestones.
87.7 Cleveland Sound
American Greetings
Anonymous
AVI Foodsystems
Baker & Taylor Company
Better World Books
Burges and Burges Strategists, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. John C. Butler
Mr. and Mrs. J. Donald Cairns
Coit Services of Ohio, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Clifford B. Daugherty
Dominion East Ohio
Dominion Foundation
Donley's Inc.
Employees of Cuyahoga County
Public Library
The Fedeli Group
Sari Feldman and Matt O'Dwyer
The Ferry Family Foundation
Friends of the Brecksville Branch
Friends of the South
Euclid-Lyndhurst Branch
Friends of the Strongsville Branch
Jim and Susan Hildebrandt
Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.
Laborers International Union of North
America Local No. 310
Library Design Associates, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Edward A. Lozick
Luce Smith & Scott, Inc.
Mosser Construction Inc.
Ohio CAT
Overdrive, Inc.
The PNC Financial Services Group
Steve and Loree Potash
Shirley J. Rebro
Roger Riachi
Hallie and Dan Rich
Ken and Meg Schilling
Patty Shlonsky and Steve Hinkle
Michelle and Mike Stewart
Tracy R. Strobel
Turner Construction Co.
United HealthCare Services, Inc.
URS Corpoation
$50 0 – $9 9 9
All Heights Electric Sewer Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Jay AuWerter, Jr.
Bernstein Global Wealth Management
Eileen and Michael Biehl
Bill and Charlene Burges
Mr. and Mrs. Michael F. Caputo
Judith E. Carey
Carney-McNicholas Inc.
The Cleveland Orchestra
(Music Study Groups)
Donna and Eli Coury
Mr. and Mrs. John Davies
Suzanne and Barry Doggett
Stephen P. Donovan
Friends of the Mayfield Branch
Vickie Hartzell
Dr. and Mrs. Daniel R. Hauenstein
The Honorable and Mrs. Richard
Hollington, Jr.
Lorie Hollington Smith and Scott Smith
Infinity Construction Company Inc.
Myah Moore Irick and Jaime Irick
Karpinski Engineering
Donna and Alex Koler
Lisa Kollins
Rita M. Lawrence
Paul W. Linehan
Scott Morgan and Joe Lamm
Alison L. O'Neill
Oswald Companies
Pennsylvania Library Association
Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Pfeifer
Mr. and Mrs. William T. Plesec
Michelle and Glen Potter
Richard R. Radachi, CPA
Neal Rains
Robert Rua and Rebecca Ranallo
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Ratner
Richard Fleischman & Partners
Architects
Dr. Laura Rocker
Madeline Rosenshein
Richard and Marjorie Roth
Royal Landscape – Irrigation, Inc.
John and Sally Schriner
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence M. Sears
Securus Financial Strategies
Katie and Michael Shames
Squire Sanders & Dempsey LLP
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company,
Incorporated
Tom Sexton & Associates
Walter & Haverfield
Mr. and Ms. Stephen B. Zinn
$2 5 0 – $ 49 9
Blumer Family
Peter and Mikaela Bolek
Enda Bracken
The Honorable Thomas Brick
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Checki
Mr. and Mrs. Victor Cohn
Cuyahoga County Public Library
Union SEIU
Rosemarie DeJohn
Design Group
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dolan
Ryan C. Fish
Daniel J. Forrer
Friends of the Brooklyn Branch
Anonymous
Paul Gallin
Gary District High Alumni Association
Geotech Services Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert B. Gephart
Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Gleason
Mr. David Goodman and
Ms. Barbara Hawley
Mrs. John Hadden
Elizabeth F. Hand
Jack Hedge
Highland Consulting
Patricia Horvath
Marguerite B. Humphrey
Kerry L. Kipfstuhl
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel T. Meehan, Jr.
Daniel Newman
Michael Park
PNC Wealth Management
Precision Enviromental Company
Megan Roberts
Timothy J. Rossiter
Bill and Mary Russo
Jeanne Sapir
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis I. Schwartz
Martha Sheedy
Sollie Rosen Memorial Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Stuelpe
Brian F. Toohey and
Elizabeth Monihan
Emilie Unkrich
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Vicchiarelli
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Wilson
$1 0 0 – $ 2 4 9
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Abbamonte
Louise Abrams and Robert Fuerst
Anonymous
Terri Ashley
Mr. and Mrs. Edward H. Blakemore
Deborah Bridwell and
Mark G. McKinstry
William S. Brooks
Karen J. Brown
Clinton – Macomb Public Library
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew V. Crawford
Roger C. Creps
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffery Cristal
Nancy E. Dowding
Emily Drake
Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Evans III
Mr. and Mrs. David Farkas
Daniel Fedeli
Connie L. Geer
Vic and Joan Gelb
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Gisser
Jill Gleicher
Mr. and Mrs. Richard G. Hardy
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas M. Hicks
Margaret P. Hocevar
Mr. and Mrs. David J. Hooker
Shirley J. Hostetler
International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers
Mr. and Mrs. George L. Kanieski
Mr. and Mrs. Robert King, Jr.
Jennifer Klug
Roger Knoblock
Mr. and Mrs. Harold S. LaPine
William B. LaPlace
Mr. and Mrs. Tom E. Leib
Debra F. Light and Bruce Sherman
Mr. and Mrs. James Lincoln
Mr. and Mrs. William Manning, Jr.
Kathleen McCarthy
Ellen Meehan
Mr. and Mrs. Malachi Mixon
Cynthia Mog
Mr. and Mrs. Brian F. Murphy
Regina Mushabac
Al Neis and Beth Egan
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Nosse
Mark Panzica
Jason Parker
Mr. and Mrs. John Pasalis
Kathleen Patton
Breck Platner
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Poljak
Mr. and Mrs. Marc Post
Mr. and Mrs. Dale D. Powers
Progressive Insurance
Mr. and Mrs. John A. Rahilly
Mr. and Mrs. Peter A. Ramirez
Lisa Rzepka
Suzanne Saganich
Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry
Barry D. Sherwin
Mr. and Mrs. James Shook
Mr. and Mrs. David Skrabec
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Slater
Mr. and Mrs. James P. Slivka
Florence Smith
Robert W. Spreat
Mr. and Mrs. Sam Steinhouse
Ms. Kathleen T. Sullivan
Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Taylor
The Union Club
Mr. and Mrs. Rajiv S. Trikha
Mr. and Mrs. Duane Van Dyke
Mr. and Mrs. Dickson L. Whitney Jr.
Ellen Wisniewski
Mr. and Mrs. Scott A. Yaecker
Rosann Zingales
p.37
2013 Grants and Gifts to the Library
2013 Gifts to the Capital Campaign
$10 0 , 0 0 0 +
$5 0 0 – $9 9 9
L a u reate
Gregory and Deborah Gyllstrom
Troy and Janet Meinhard
The Cleveland Foundation
Friends of the Chagrin Falls Branch Library
Sondra and Steve Hardis
Jim and Susan Hildebrandt
Timothy W. O'Brien
David and Barbara Jacobs Foundation
Friends of the Mayfield Branch Library
David and Gloria Kahan
Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Panzica
Starting Point
Friends of the Strongsville Branch Library
A u th o r
Ginny and Jon Lindseth
Jeffery J. and Anne Marie Pecon
Stanley and Hope Adelstein
Randell and Gail McShepard
Dale D. Powers
Chagrin Falls Branch Special Trust Fund
Bill and Mary Russo
Ken and Meg Schilling
$10 0 – $ 4 9 9
Chart Industries, Inc.
Tracy R. Strobel
John and Sally Schriner
Alpha Delta Kappa
The Cleveland Foundation
Bob and Lorene Varley
Caroline and David Selman
Brecksville Women's Club
Fairview Park Branch Special Trust Fund
Jack and Jacqueline Woods
Alvin Siegal
Chagrin Valley Quilters
Forest City Enterprises, Inc.
$ 5 0 , 0 0 0 – $10 0 , 0 0 0
KeyBank Foundation
Northeast Ohio Media Group
$10 , 0 0 0 – $ 4 9,9 9 9
Connect Ohio
The Dominion Foundation
Estate of Eugene Horvath
Mitchell's Homemade Ice Cream
OverDrive, Inc.
Steve and Loree Potash
Institute of Learning in Retirement
at Baldwin Wallace University
Cleveland City Council of Beta Sigma Phi
Mrs. Gene DeSimone
Professor George Dent
Ecumenical Disciples Choir
The Charles H. Giles & Fannie M. Giles
Memorial Foundation
Independence Garden Club
Mary A. Smith
Mort and Iris November
R eader
John and Pamela Spencer
Parker Hannifin Foundation
Gary and Grace Abbs
Estate of Johanna Stein
The Reinberger Foundation
Edna Fuentes-Casiano
The Skirball Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Jay AuWerter, Jr.
Vita-Mix Corporation
Bicknell Fund
Estate of Phyliss Walker
Madeline Brookshire
$ 5, 0 0 0 – $ 9,9 9 9
Middleburg Heights AARP #3665
Best Buy Children’s Foundation
North Coast Needlers Quilt Guild
W o rdsmith
Mr. and Mrs. J. Donald Cairns
Friends of the Brecksville Branch Library
Lee Schiemann for Bedford
1955 Classmate Luncheon Group
Paul J. Dolan
Kevin Callahan
Harry K. Fox and Emma R. Fox
Charitable Foundation
Step 2 Store
Eaton Corporation
Christopher Connor
Richard P. Tripp
Friends of the Chagrin Falls Branch
Julie and Jeff Cristal
Gerald Kline Family Foundation
Walter & Haverfield, LLP
The Kent H. Smith Charitable Trust
Patrick and Gina Finley
Maple Heights City School District
Western Reserve Quilters Anonymous Guild
Jane and Henry Meyer
Lori Ann Franklin
Time Warner Cable Foundation
Wisniewski/Jones Family
RPM International, Inc.
Dr. and Mrs. Daniel R. Hauenstein
Estate of Lynn Schreiber
Miesha W. Headen
The Sherwin-Williams Company
Heinen’s Fine Foods
Patty Shlonsky and Steve Hinkle
Mrs. Lorie Hollington Smith and
Mr. Scott Smith
Friends of the Parma Branch Libraries
Rudolph and Harriett Zanzano
$1, 0 0 0 – $ 4 ,9 9 9
James R. Brady
Brown and Kunze Foundation
Case Western Reserve University
C O M PA N I E S T H A T M A T C H E D
G I F T S I N 2 013 I N C L U D E :
Cleveland Browns
Eaton Corporation
Friends of the Bay Village Branch Library
Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.
P o et
Friends of the Beachwood Branch Library
KeyBank Foundation
Susan Adams
Friends of the Fairview Park Branch Library
Progressive Insurance
Friends of the Gates Mills Branch Library
Friends of the Southeast Branch Library
Robert Niebaum
Parma City School District
Judith E. Carey
Sari Feldman and Matt O’Dwyer
Friends of the Independence Branch
Friends of the Parma Libraries
Myah Moore Irick and Jaime Irick
James and Yvette Ittu
Joseph and Katherine Zack Fund
Claude and Kay Kennard
Bill and Teri Koeth
Judy and Allan Krulak
Meghann M. Marnecheck
p.39
2014
Cuyahoga County
Public Library
Board of Trustees:
Maria L. Spangler
President
Edward H. Blakemore
Vice President
Edna Fuentes-Casiano
Secretary
About theSusan
Cover
Photo
M. Adams
Trustee
In February 2014, we compiled a list of the
Dale D. Powers
top titles that everybody was buzzing about
Trustee
last year. Then we surveyed our customers
A. those
Shlonsky
online to see Patricia
which of
titles they
Trustee
thought were the best of the best. The books
featured on the Robert
cover W.
of this
report are
Varley
Trustee
their selections.
If you haven’t read these great books already,
don’t miss out. Copies are waiting for you at
your local Cuyahoga County Public Library
branch and online at cuyahogalibrary.org.
Sycamore Row by John Grisham
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
The Cuckoo’s Calling
by Robert Galbraith
Inferno by Dan Brown
The Longest Ride
by Nicholas Sparks
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts
And the Mountains Echoed
by Khaled Hosseini
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Administrative Offices / 2111 Snow Road / Parma, Ohio 44134 / p 216.398.1800
It’s a year of reading!
Cuyah og a Coun ty Public Library / Reconnect with Reading 365: It’s a Year of Reading / 2013 Annual Report