Q&A With Cleveland's Andrew Venable
Norman Oder -- Library Journal, 5/15/2008
From the May 15 print issue:
Cleveland Public Library (CPL) director Andrew Venable will retire July 1 after nine years in the position and a rich career in the library field, one he “backed into” from a business background. The 63-year-old is returning to his hometown of Staunton, VA, to care for his ailing mother—and he's also working on a book.==challenge—any advice for your successor?
LJ asked him what Marketing for Introverts: Evangelizing for the People's University—which he first discussed with Scarecrow Press in 2002—might tell us.
“The universality of a public library's mission makes and supports it as a valuable community asset,” he responded. “CPL's publications (annual report, community newsletters, program announcements, etc.) incorporate more visuals to tell the story. The bookmobile (the People's University on Wheels) and new van (On the Road to Reading) are attractively decorated to attract customers. Annual town hall meetings that celebrate National Library Month are rebroadcast on Cleveland Cable TV, and televisions in all library buildings feature CNN News during library service hours.”
The continuation online:
LJ: What do you think is CPL’s next challenge?
AV: Provide annual progress reports to the community on the five library service initiatives for which they voted in the affirmative by 65% on March 4; b) develop a new Strategic Plan; c) preserve and promote the academic strength of the Main Library collections and nature of the Neighborhood Branch Libraries.
LJ: What do you consider your major achievements in your library career?
AV: Promoting the public library as “The People’s University”; promoting reading and nationally award-winning authors; installing the KnowItNow24x7 Reference Service; developing community partnerships/sponsorships; encouraging employees to attend library school; passing the first operating tax levy in East Cleveland, OH; passing the first capital bond issue in Gary, IN; passing two operating tax levies in Cleveland, OH; transferring the Ohio Center for the Book from the State Library (OH) to Cleveland Public Library (2003); building the new Ora L.Wildermuth Branch Library in Gary, IN; relocating the Garden Valley Branch to the Bridgeport Place in Cleveland, OH; installing the Greater Access Library Card (2000); re-establishing mobile library service; co-hosting the Urban Library Council Conference; Historic Preservation Award (2007); Bookmobile featured on Capital Hill during ALA Annual Conference (2007); Ohio Librarian of the Year (2002); and other community service awards.
LJ: Cleveland has one of the best library systems in the country, but it has a much weaker school system . To what extent can it be a model for other aspects of urban government?
AV: Yes, Cleveland Public Library is the third largest public research library in the country. We are an urban library facing the challenges of literacy, poverty, decreases in population, loss of jobs, etc. that impact the inner-city and urban community. Unlike other city services, however, the Library has the obligation, mission and desire to serve a larger community. Through the CLEVNET consortium, Cleveland Public Library has patrons across nine counties in northern Ohio. KnowItNow on line reference extends the Library’s service area even further—across the entire state. We can be a model for urban government and suburban governments and rural governments because we are proof of the value of regional cooperation.
LJ: A lot of libraries around the country are facing budget cuts or constraints—any advice to library leaders/supporters on how to best make the case for libraries?
AV: We must always promote the value of a public library to its community; preserving the good quality of library service is expensive; public libraries are cornerstones of democracy; public libraries are beacons of hope; public libraries are doorways to freedom; and, public libraries need a dedicated source of funding in all states.
LJ: Anything else you’d like to add?
AV: We are fortunate to have a premier public library that is strongly supported by the Cleveland community; and, we are privileged to have state-of-the art special collections in our Main Library that provide access to the worldwide information that people and organizations seek in a timely, friendly and equitable manner. “The People’s University” is to be the learning place for a diverse community, inspiring people of all ages with the love of books and reading, advancing the pursuit of knowledge, and enhancing the quality of life for all who use the Library.
