About the Department
The Youth Services Department functions as a children’s and teen services room and also as a resource center, providing recreational and information materials for children, preschool through grade twelve, and materials of interest to parents, educators, students, writers, artists, and others concerned with children’s literature and book illustration.
The Collection
- For Children: Fiction and non-fiction titles that span all subject areas, multimedia formats, and a varied selection of periodicals, paperbacks, comics, and books on tape. Multimedia materials, sturdy board books, picture books, parenting information, and innovative literacy enhancement materials including Leap Frog flip books.
- For Young Adults: For teens from ages 13 through 18, fiction titles include classics, new classics and current popular titles that appeal to the diverse population the Library serves. Comic books, popular magazines and graphic novels. Nonfiction in support of school assignments.
- For Adults: Periodicals, reference resources and community information for parents, educators and caregivers.
- Classic Fiction: A large collection of classic fiction, folk tales, and fairy tales dating from the 1900’s through 1970’s.
- Carousel: Donated to the Youth Services Department in 1998 by Mrs. Joan G. Sugarman, the carousel features music, lights and moving creatures such as mermaids, dragons and monsters. Sculptor Star Liana York designed the Fantasy Carousel in 1984.
- Dollhouse: The Sprague House was constructed and furnished in loving detail by former Cleveland Public Library’s children’s librarian and well-known author, the late Andre Norton.
- Wall Mural: All Rainforest in One by artist Lari A. Jacobson graces the entryway of the Fourth Floor Youth Services Department. Donated in 2000, funded by a grant from the Cyrus Eaton Foundation.
Services
- Activities: Group story hours, introduction to library resources, and school tours available by appointment. Summer Reading Club, Winter Reading Club.
- Computer Center: Computer Lab Center provided for children, teens, parents, caregivers, and educators during all open library hours.
- Biennial Award: The Norman A. Sugarman Children’s Biography Award is given biennially by the Cleveland Public Library to honor excellence in the field of biography for children.
- Consultation: Guidance, readers advisory, and research assistance.
- Every Child Ready to Read @ Your Library: Our staff has been trained to implement a new ALA approved approach to storytimes, utilizing “six basic early literacy skills” to help young children learn to read.
- Outreach Programs: For teens to enhance their library experience and to encourage independent reading. The staff produces a teen newsletter, The Voice.