A key objective in the Library’s strategic plan is to form communities of learning. Through various events and programs, we seek to gather people together so they can share information, learn from one another, gain new insights and become sources of action.
"Girl Power" and "Man Up" were two examples of programs designed to educate teens on timely issues and challenges such as bullying and premature fatherhood. "Step Out Cleveland" (funded by the Lockwood Thompson endowment) was an interactive program that explored the culture of dance and its impact on our society.
In 2014 the Library hosted its most successful summer reading clubs with 8,200 students completing the program.
The theme of 2014 was "Get a Clue: Read!" Students read books, solved mysteries and earned tickets to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Rainforest upon completion. Hosted in conjunction with our summer lunch program, it focused on engaging activities designed to strengthen children's critical thinking skills.
"ImpACT the 216", a collaboration with College Now Greater Cleveland, is an innovative program that enhances math and reading proficiency through ACT prep and video and recording arts training.
The eight-week program was hosted at our Harvard-Lee, Martin Luther King, Jr., South Brooklyn and Eastman branches because of their proximity to area high schools. The program was well received with an average of 30 students attending each session.
The Library offers a number of programs for working-age adults including computer classes that focus on teaching job skills and getting patrons comfortable with the online job application process. Other well-attended classes focused on resume writing skills, tips for searching the Internet and free legal clinics.
We also offered a career literacy workshop for adult job seekers at several branches and a job fair targeting working-age adults was hosted at our Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch.
Learning can take many forms. As part of the Library’s strategic objective to acquaint people with different cultures, we orchestrated a number of programs designed to educate and celebrate our region’s rich diversity.
Our signature Writers and Readers program adopted a multicultural theme for the year. In celebration of our partnership with the Gay Games in Cleveland, we hosted several gay activist authors, including Dan Savage, The New York Times columnist.
Beyond our traditional Asian-American celebrations, we also hosted a Chinese Summer Camp that taught the Chinese language, as well as ethnic arts and culture. In addition, we offered a well-attended Business Chinese course providing tips on overcoming language barriers and the general way of doing business in China.
Our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration included music, food, crafts and dance programs. It culminated with a special evening performance by Dr. Pablo Luis Riea and Grupo Restauracion Cultural.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch again hosted our MLK celebration and the awarding of the first annual Drum Major for Change Award. We also brought in several award-winning African-American authors as part of our Writers and Readers program.
