After Major Cuts, East Cleveland Library Seeks "Inclusion" in Cuyahoga System
By Norman Oder Aug 30, 2010Though it is the state's poorest city, East Cleveland, OH, population 27,000, has long had an impressive library. However, after a year of dramatic cuts in library support and services, the East Cleveland Public Library(ECPL), OH, is seeking to become part of the Cuyahoga County Public Library.
The move would reduce the smaller library's autonomy (and, perhaps, identity) while offering stability-as well as lower costs to East Cleveland residents.
There's no timetable yet for such a change, as the larger system—often near the top in national rankings—requires a due diligence process regarding ECPL's finances and facilities.
A feasibility study by the Baldwin-Wallace College Community Research Institute (CRI) suggested that ECPL could operate its Main Library independently but that inclusion in CCPL would offer more advantages. Still, it notes that numerous qualms on both sides must be addressed for such a process to work.
"Our Board welcomes the discussion with ECPL about possible inclusion and is committed to ensuring that our taxpayers receive convenient, accountable, relevant, and effective library service," CCPL spokesman Robert Rua told LJ.
Impressive history
As of last year, ECPL's per capita support was more than $100, thanks to robust state aid and a heavy local tax levy of seven mills, and the system included not just a Main Library but two branches.
In 2005, longtime ECPL director Gregory Reese led a Main Library renovation and expansion project, including a 250-seat theater, thanks to $4 million in privately raised funds.
In the past year, however, ECPL has been slammed by declining state aid and lowered tax collections, given the substantial number of foreclosures. Its budget plummeted more than 37 percent, from $3.05 million to $1.93 million.
ECPL closed its branches, which were not tiny at 8060 and 9800 square feet. It cut staff from 60 FTE to 22 1/2 FTE. Reese retired and was replaced by his deputy, Ernestine Hawkins. Her old position was not filled. Still, the library serves a crucial role in a city where the five elementary schools lack libraries, and the middle school has a library but no librarian.
Looking to CCPL
Last year, before Reese retired, he requested a study of the potential for his library to join the larger system. Board President Gregory Clifford is on board. "The scenario that made the most sense [in the report] is for East Cleveland to be included in the Cuyahoga County system," he told LJ.
"We were fortunate to be able to operate with three branches," he said. "We know that, going forward, it's not feasible." Not only could ECPL not afford three branches as an independent system, but only the largest community in CCPL, Parma, has three branches-and it's three times the size of East Cleveland.
"We have to finish doing all our due diligence," he said. "We are in the process of seeking some grant money to assist us in getting the facilities audit performed."
Given that the Cuyahoga County real estate tax levy for the library is 2.5 mills, not seven, local taxpayers would save. ECPL spending on materials went from $16.60 per capita in 2008 to $5.54 per capita last year; CCPL spends $21.75 per capita.
Knotty issues
Clifford said that staffers are concerned they might not keep their jobs, and the transition from a nonunion environment to a unionized one might be complicated. He said, however, that "[CCPL Director] Sari Feldman... indicates it would be her intention to keep the staff in place."
The issue has not yet gained traction in the East Cleveland community, but Clifford said public discussions will occur. "Support for this option must be clearly articulated by the Board of Trustees and leadership of ECPL in order to help the East Cleveland community understand the benefits of this option," the CRI report stated.
East Cleveland is a largely black community; the library has a valuable special collection related to African-American history. After talking with Feldman, said Clifford, he's not worried that the collection would be neglected.
According to focus groups and interviews cited in the CRI report, East Cleveland community leaders and staff said they wanted to ensure that the library offered such things as access to computers, G.E.D. tutoring, job counseling, homework help, and local staff. They expressed worry that CCPL would not understand the needs of a largely black staff.
CCPL staff and board members said they were concerned about the stability of the system, the logistical challenges of integrating nonunion staff, and the potential costs and liabilities, among other things. They saw value in increased diversity, new collections, the performing arts center, and potential fundraising opportunities. (East Cleveland board members said they saw the performing arts center as the prime draw for CCPL.)
Inclusion of ECPL in CCPL could provide an opportunity to model collaboration of public services, a likely need in the region, according to the summary of CCPL board member focus groups. That model will be tested, apparently, in the coming months.
