It is difficult to look back at 2009 without recognizing the impact of the economic downturn. Clevelanders bore more than their share of financial hardship. Slavic Village, for example, which is served by our Fleet Branch, received national headlines as the epicenter of the foreclosure crisis.
As a result, people turned to Cleveland Public Library for more services and support. The library system saw a 17 percent jump in use of services. Those services most in demand included computer training (classes as well as one-on-one instruction), GED classes and after-school tutoring.
Despite its own budget challenges, Cleveland Public Library kept its doors open. With the exception of some minor schedule changes that affected only those times when Library usage has historically been low, all branches remained open to maintain a walking-distance presence in local neighborhoods where many people cannot afford cars or RTA passes. As the budget allowed, the Library added computers throughout the system for public use. All branches have continued to offer wireless services for local residents who had computers but who could no longer afford to pay for Internet access in their homes.
