(continued).

 

What should The Literacy Cooperative be doing to connect/integrate the assistance literacy programs offer to the full spectrum of services the library provides?

I think there is a real opportunity to explore partnerships between libraries and literacy providers. By using the library's infrastructure of buildings, staff, and existing programs literacy providers could leverage the assets of the library to better serve children and low-literacy adults. The Literacy Cooperative could serve as a convener to help forge relationships between providers and libraries, so providers could better understand the array of library services available and have a literacy point person at their area library. This would create linkages across the county and would add value to the services literacy programs provide

 

With 19 million items in circulation last year the Cuyahoga County Public Library, CCPL has a lot to be proud of. What is one message you want to get out to the community?

We are really proud of our Reconnect to Reading campaign that we started in 2008. In the first year we were able to increase the percentage of print lending from 54% to 57%. That 3% increase represents a huge gain for the library and indicates we are reaching new customers, purchasing items of interest and need, and that staff are successfully connecting customers to print materials. We believe there is tremendous value in being a reading community; in having a literate culture. We know from studies that readers tend to participate more in the civic life and contribute to the economic and social health of a community. That's why we've made Reconnect to Reading our number one priority.

Since play is such an important component to development in children, I would also like to share that CCPL has the largest circulating toy library in the country. All the toys are screened, given an age recommendation, and are developmentally appropriate. Individuals, groups, or home daycares can check-out the toys and when they are returned, all are washed, dried, and sterilized. There is a description and picture of all the toys in our catalog and any toy can be sent to any of the county branches. It's a unique service and we try to make it as convenient as possible.

What challenges does CCPL confront as it strives to advance its mission and key priorities?

Well, we faced a funding challenge in 2009 and we know in the coming years we will need to reduce our dependence on state funding while limiting the impact on the public. Also, we need greater equity across our facilities. Our newer branches, such as the Strongsville branch built in 2004, has state of the art early childhood services, ample space for meetings and programs, and an adequate number of computers and collections for the customers using the library. Our capital improvement plan will allow all of our branches to be well-equipped and able to offer innovative services.

 

What is a must read for 2010?

Little Bee by Chris Cleaves is an honest, beautiful, but also hard-hitting novel about a Nigerian asylum seeker living in England. It just came out in paperback, is on the top of many best-seller lists, and one I really enjoyed.

 

Editors note: Cuyahoga County Public Library was ranked by Hennen's American Public Library Ratings as a top library in the country for those with a circulation of over 500,000. Read more about this ranking: http://www.haplr-index.com/HAPLR100.htm

Click on the links below to read individual articles or visit our main e-newsletter page:

• In this issue...

  Message from Bob Paponetti

  Opportunity for win-win solutions

  Bringing SPARK to Cuyahoga County

  Coming to an agency near you: NEO Literacy Corps

  Key success elements to home visiting program