43: Libraries

43:1  Data for Cleveland Sesquicentennial Year Book
43:2  Data About Lakewood High School For Sesquicentennial Year Book
43:3  Newest Project at Hayes School
43:4  Hayes Library
43:5  New Books in Lakewood Public Library
43:6 Full Returns
43:7 Lakewood’s New Carnegie Library
43:8 Lakewood’s $50,000 New Carnegie Library
43:9 Lure of the Land
43:10 Library Plays Important Part in Community Life
43:11 Public Library Faces Crisis in Service Ability
43:12 Madison Library is Forerunner of Savings & Loan Co.
43:13 Library at L.H.S. Busy
43:14 Work of Library Has Doubled in Seven Years
43:15 Your Library
43:16 Library Opening, Art Exhibit, Gala Event
43:17 Enlarged Library Is Viewed By Hundreds
43:18 Public Invited To Opening of Library June 3
43:19 Lakewood City Library Grows
43:20 Once Again the Cry Goes Up For An Auditorium For Lakewood Town
43:21 Librarian Reports Activities at Lakewood Institution in 1927
43:22 Many Branches are Maintained Here
43:23 Sold Site For One Dollar in Madison Park For Needed Public Library
43:24 Circulation At Library Increased By 20 Percent
43:25 Open Library Branch
43:26 New Madison Branch Is Opened Friday Afternoon
43:27 New Library Set To Open

43:1
DATA FOR SESQUICENTENNIAL YEAR BOOK December 11, 1945

THE LAKEWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY
on Detroit Avenue at the corner of Arthur Ave.

The Lakewood Public Library was opened May 19, 1916, having been built on land donated in large part by the residents of Arthur Avenue. About $45,000.00 of the cost of the original portion of the present building was borne by Mr. Andrew Carnegie. The building was enlarged to its present size in 1924 on the proceeds of a bond issue. Mr. Charles W. Hopkinson was the architect employed to design and supervise the construction of the original building and the 1924 enlargement. The total cost of the building was approximately $235,000.00. There are about 100,000 books in the book collection with an annual circulation of approximately 600,000.

In addition to the main building there is a branch building at 13229 Madison Avenue built in 1929 at a cost of approximately $47,000.00. Mr. A.W. Murway of the architectural firm of Walker and Weeks was the architect for this building. Branches or book lending services are maintained in all the public and parochial schools of Lakewood and in Lakewood Municipal Hospital.

The Library is governed by a board of seven Trustees appointed by the Board of Education. It is supported by appropriations made by the County Budget Commission from the proceeds of the Classified Tax fund. The employed staff consists of about 75 workers.
 
 

43:2
DATA ABOUT LAKEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL (FOR SESQUICENTENNIAL YEAR BOOK) December 11, 1945

Location: Franklin Avenue at the Corner of Bunts.

Architect: Mr. Chas. W. Hopkinson

Cost: approximately $1,125,000.00

Campus: about 17 acres.

Buildings: Academic Building, Boys Building, Girls Building, swimming pool, greenhouse. Seating capacity at Athletic field about 12,000. Quarters for home and visiting teams in grandstands.

Faculty: approximately 80.

Student Body: Approximately 2,100.
 
 

43:3 NEWEST PROJECT AT HAYES SCHOOL
LAKEWOOD POST

Extending the services of the Lakewood Public Library to Hayes school, too far distant for easy access to the main building on Detroit and Arthur avenues, the children's department is devoting Mondays to the children in the school.

The plan worked out by Miss Roena Ingham, librarian, and Miss Lesley Newton, head of the children's department, was requested by school authorities.

The above picture shows Miss Miriam Sheldon, who is in charge and Miss Georgia Deering and Miss Totter of the library staff, with a group of Hayes school children.

"We are proud of the 'extension library' in our building," Miss Edith L. Curren, principal, told The Lakewood Post reporter.

More than 750 books are on the Hayes library shelved and children are given cards of the library.

Younger children may take out only one book a week and older pupils may take two books. Classes are brought into the library one at a time during the day and Miss Sheldon helps the children to choose books.

Plans are underway to establish another "extension library" in Taft school, which will be available on Thursdays. It is understood that the same plan will be used in the new school. Branches have been established at Lakewood High school and in the 3 junior High schools.
 
 

43:4 HAYES LIBRARY
Source Not Identified

Hayes elementary school and the Lakewood Public Library have worked out an admirable scheme to supply school children with the right kind of reading. Every Monday children in the school have a library service of their own, supervised by a staff of librarians, and may borrow one or two books weekly, according to age.

This extension program will soon be working in Taft school, which with Hayes, is too far from the library for library reading or reference.

The Lakewood library has been noted for its constant service to the community and the main building has become the major community center of the city. A schedule of meetings that are held in the building throughout the week reads like a directory of organizations. The new plan is not new to the spirit of service which has marked the library and the schools of Lakewood.
 
 

43:5 NEW BOOKS IN LAKEWOOD PUBLIC LIBRARY

EXHIBIT OF SPRING FLOWERS
The exhibit cases in the adult department of the Lakewood Public Library now contain some very interesting pictures of wild flowers. These are photographed from real life and in some instances they are hand-tinted. The pictures are from the collection made by Mr. Carl Krebs, 15700 Clifton boulevard, Lakewood, Ohio. All nature lovers will be interested in the display. The Lakewood Public Library is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

TRAVELS ABROAD
The following is a partial list of books in the Lakewood Public Library which would be helpful reading for one contemplating a trip abroad. This list has been prepared for several in Lakewood who are planning to take such a trip this summer; it will also prove useful to many who enjoy the charm of far away places in the quiet of their own firesides.

Art and Architecture
Art Galleries of Europe--a separate volume is published in this series on each of the leading galleries of Europe.
Bryant--What sculpture to see in Europe.
Bumpus--Cathedral churches in Northern France.
Bumpsu--Cathedral churches in Southern France.
Caffin--How to study pictures.
Ditchfield--Illustrated guide to cathedrals of Great Britain.
Lucas--A wanderer among pictures.
Powers--Mornings with masters of Art.
Pratt--Cathedral churches of England.
Reinach--Apollo, a history of art throughout the ages.
Sturgis--Short history of architecture, europe.
Thomas--How to understand sculpture.
Thurston--Art of looking at pictures.
Van dyke--How to judge a picture.
Wallis--How to know architecture.

General
Anderson--Odd corners.
Bone--Lookout man.
Cobb--Europe revised.
Holmes, Burton--Travelogues.
Hungerford--Planning a trip abroad.
Lucas--Wanderer series: Mr. Lucas' books have made many friends. Much of the charm of Florence, London, Paris and Holland has been caught and transferred to the printed page along with bits of their histories, interesting anecdotes and legends.
Milton--London in 7 days; Paris in 7 days; Rome in 7 days--(3 usable little guide books).
Osborne--Finding the worth while in Europe. Picture towns of Europe.
Paine--The Car that went abroad.
Stedman--Complete pocket guide to Europe.
Stoddard--Lectures.

England and Her Neighbors
Brooks--Thread of English road.
Dorr--Cathedral pilgrimage.
Francis--Story of the Tower of London.
Howells--London films.
Shakleton--Four on a tour in England.
Shelley--Shakespeare and Stratford.
Oliphant--Royal Edinburgh.
Johnson--Land of heather.
Masson--Edinburg.
Dougall--Burns country.
Stevenson--Charm of Ireland.

On the Continent
Edwards--Marken and its people.
Guerber--Legends of the Rhine.
Hughes--Book of the Black Forest.
McCrakan--Fair land Tyrol.
Stevenson--Spell of Holland.
Dole--Spell of Switzerland.

Paris
Crichton--Lure of old Paris.
Bicknell--Paris and her treasures.
Laughlin--So you're going to Paris.
Maurice--Paris of the novelists.
Miltoun--Royal palaces and parks of France.

Italy
Blashfield--Italian cities.
Mason--Spell of Italy.
Allen--Venice.
Allen--Florence.
Hutton--Literature landmarks of Florence.Hutton--Rome.Wey--Rome.
 
 

43:6 FULL RETURNS (72 PRECINCTS COMPLETE)
 
 

MAYOR	1st Choice	Total 1st & 2nd
E.A. Wiegand	5532	6311
L.A. Hildie	3725	5781
L.E. Hill	3312	4732

 

COUNCIL	1st Choice	Total (All Choices)
Jas. Gormsen	7284	7560
C.A. Heidloff	6651	6914
Olive B. Knirk	6420	6681
H.S. Hart	6370	6658
F.M. Branch	5835	6172
Eva C. Saxton	5086	5388
H.A. Gillis	4772	5087
A.R. Edwards	3321	3615
S.B. Fitzsimmons	2571	2868
F.P. Grimes	1967	2248
J.M. Murphy	1786	2047

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION
Bernice S. Pyke	9053
C.R. Cross	8583
R.B. Robinette	8318
C.T. Rich	5589

 

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE
R.C. Hyre	5447
M.J. Walther	5304
H.C. Cummings	3009
N.H. Curran	2982
J.E. Griffin	2024
Albert Amram	1958

 

$200,00 SCHOOL BONDS
Yes	8200
No	2569

 

$300,000 LIBRARY BONDS
Yes	7860
No	3205

 

$165,000 STREET BONDS
Yes	7928
No	2838

 

$100,000 CITY HALL BONDS
Yes	4785
No	5748

 

$135,000 WATER BONDS
Yes	7421
No	3096

 

$65,000 FIRE STATION BONDS
Yes	7041
No	3542

 

$15,000 FIRE ALARM BONDS
Yes	6772
No	3176

 

43:7 LAKEWOOD’S NEW CARNEGIE LIBRARY
Source Unknown

Another new structure just completed which is recognized by many Lakewood citizens as an absolute necessity in Lakewood is the $50,000 fireproof Carnegie library located on the southeast corner of Detroit and Arthur avenues. C.W. Hopkinson, Rose building, is the architect and the C.N. Griffin Co., builders. This is a splendid site for the new library and credit must be given the Board of Education and Arthur avenue residents in securing the location. The library will be under the management of Mrs. Belle T. Graber and Mr. Otto F. Leopold who compose the library board. Miss Roena A. Ingham is librarian. The exterior of the library is constructed of Indiana limestone. The interior is a one story affair with the exception of a messanine extending across the front. Thousands of books can be handled conveniently around the side and in the center of the main floor.

Andrew Carnegie's contribution was $45,000, providing that the city purchase the building site and stand all other necessary expenses of operation.
 
 

43:8 LAKEWOOD’S $50,000 NEW CARNEGIE LIBRARY
LAKEWOOD PRESS March 31, 1916
 

A new Lakewood structure just completed of which residents of Cleveland's western suburb are duly proud is the $50,000 fireproof Carnegie library on the southeast corner of Detroit avenue and Arthur avenue. C.W. Hopkinson, Rose building, is the architect and the C.N. Griffin Co., builders.

The new library's exterior is constructed of Indiana limestone. With the exception of a messanine extending across the front the interior is one story, about twenty feet high. Book shelves adequate to carry thousands of books, are arranged around the sides and in the center of the main floor.

Andrew Carnegie's contribution was $45,000, providing the city of Lakewood purchase the building site and pay expenses of operation. Stocking the library with books has been progressing for the past few weeks. Miss Roena Ingham is librarian.
 
 

43:9
LURE OF THE LAND
February 3, 1919

Good food, good air, quiet, health, freedom from worry, the consciousness of doing work that is vital not only to the United States, but to the whole world looking to us for food - these are but part of the farmer's "income."

Dr. Wiley tells about it in his book, "The Lure of the Land" - and Bailey's "Principles of Agriculture" is a good book from which to learn about the laws of science that make a successful farmer.

Even if a man has only a small plot of land, books like "Productive Poultry Husbandry," by Lewis, will help feed the family and some of the neighbors.

And there are many books on simplifying farm work, on farm machinery, tractors, irrigation, farm buildings, marketing, cattle, bee keeping, fruit and flower growing, and other special subjects that may interest you.

Ask for these books and for others on any line of work that interests you at the Lakewood Public Library.

LIBRARY SERVICE IS FREE.
 
 

43:10
LIBRARY PLAYS IMPORTANT PART IN COMMUNITY LIFE
1921

As a local center for community meetings, the Lakewood Public Library has become increasingly popular, Miss Ingham reports.

During the past year, 152 meetings were held in the club rooms at the library in addition to the regular library activities, such as the story hour, reading clubs and library instruction classes.

Regular headquarters were established in the library for the Y.W.C.A. from April 11 until September 1, when they were moved to their present quarters in the Y.W.C.A. community center.

Calls for the use of the rooms were most in the winter months, the latest organization to make use of them regularly being the Red Cross in establishing health classes here, which are to be forerunners of a Lakewood health teaching center.

Organizations which have made use of the club rooms during the past year include committees of the Civic league, Parents' and Teachers' association, Philomathean, Day Nursery, Boy Scouts, Florence Crittenden association, Teachers' Art class, Parliamentary law, Three Arts club, Y.W.C.A., Political Study club, Y.M.C.A., Milk for Health campaign, W.C.T.U. and Red Cross.

Children Respond to Better Literature
The Saturday morning story hour was carried on during the school year with a good average attendance. An informal reading hour was also conducted for older boys and girls following the story hour. Distinctly worth-while literature is introduced in both groups. A Boys' Reading club, started the previous winter, was discontinued because of lack of time.

"Reading clubs never draw large numbers, but they are an intimate and tangible way of laying foundations for the love of good reading which is not possible in the casual contacts in the children's room," Miss Newton, of the children's department, reports.

The library cooperated in observing Children's Book week in November, but emphasized "better books" rather than the publishers' slogan of "more books." By window exhibits, the library carried its message of better reading for children. Collections of books suitable for Christmas gifts were placed in banks during the holidays. An attractive children's book corner was also arranged in the library.

"What we hoped most to accomplish was to bring before the parents and all those who have to do with young people the sources of inspiration to be found in children's books and the need for adult intelligence and discrimination in the choice of them," says Miss Newton. "The number of people who have come to examine books and who have asked for suggestions and lists has greatly exceeded that of former years."

The children's department at main library circulated 90,492 books, an increase of 18,343. Applicants included the youngest beginners in search of some particular primer or picture book to the older boys and girls who wish suggestions for their personal reading, or, yet more important, those who  had definite reference problems in connection with their school work.

School visits were made early in the school year to advertise the story hour and acquaint younger children with library privileges. Before the summer vacation the upper grades were visited chiefly to arouse interest in worth-while books for summer reading, when ordinarily light books are chosen. Through brief reviews of standard works and lists, a gratifying response was secured.

Classes in library instruction were held for the seventh and eighth grades, including classification and arrangement of books and catalogue helps for the seventh grades and introductions to reference works and essentials of the use of dictionaries and encyclopedias for the eighth grades. This proved effective in teaching the use of library tools as a foundation for advanced lectures in high school.

Library Patrons and Friends Give Books
During the past year, 583 volumes were added to the library as gifts besides many books and pamphlets of ephemeral value.

"It is gratifying that the interest of our patrons is often shown by the gifts varying from the well worn picture book presented by a small boy to sets of books of considerable value," says Miss Ingham.

"As would be natural, many gifts prove to be duplicates; others, editions that cannot be used or books that are too badly worn for such use, so that gifts are always accepted on condition that we may dispose of those that we do not use.

"We feel that many more books could be given useful service if some method was devised in getting it across to the public, that instead of letting the book gather dust on the shelves at home, it be passed on through the Public Library to the community at large."

Among those who gave books to the library last year were: Mrs. Allison, 1609 Mars avenue; Mrs. C.B. Apple, 12518 Clifton boulevard; Perry Bliss, 1578 Lakeland; Miss Lucy Booth, 1550 Larchmont; Mrs. Anna Calta, 1577 Alameda avenue; Charles Christian, 1251 Cook avenue; Mrs. R.C. Davis, 1207 Cranford avenue; Mrs. Ellsworth, 1555 Olivewood avenue; Mrs. M.G. Greer, 1474 Orchard Grove; Ralph Griebling, 1345 Andrews avenue; C.W. Hagesfeld, 1592 Cordova avenue; Mr. Haydn, Clifton park; Fred Herr, 15910 Park place; Ms. Jontzen, Clifton place; Mrs. H.C. Kenyon, 1516 Mars avenue; J.O. King, 11206 Edgewater drive; Verranta King, 1420 Marlowe avenue; Charles F. Loew, 1252 French avenue; John McBride, 1503 Cohassett avenue; Mrs. P.J, McMyler, 13901 Detroit avenue; Betty Martin, 18177 Clifton boulevard; Mrs. R.P. Mequillet, 1253 Ramona avenue; Mrs. J.M. Nally, 1188 Brockley avenue; Mrs. John Needing, 1339 Edanola avenue; Louis F. Norton, 1613 Cordova avenue; Mrs. C.J. Ranny, Clifton park; Mr. Russell, Belle avenue; Mrs. F.R. Saxton, 13205 Detroit avenue; Mrs. C.A. Schaflein, 1353 Ethel avenue; Mrs. W.G. Waitt, 1548 Mars avenue, Mrs. J.C. Wallace, 13526 Detroit avenue; George A. White, 1350 Park Row avenue; S.H. Wilson, 1267 Belle avenue.
 
 

43:11
PUBLIC LIBRARY FACES CRISIS IN SERVICE ABILITY
Quarters and Equipment Outgrown, Miss Ingham Tells Trustees
MORE BOOKS NEEDED
Demand for New Literature, Business and Other Treatise Grows
1921

In the five and a half years of its existence, the Lakewood Public Library has come to play an important and growingly larger part in the life of the community, the annual report of Miss Roena Ingham, librarian, to the board of trustees, shows.

The year 1921 was its banner year. There were 263,364 volumes issued for home use, an increase of 65,340, or a little less than one-fourth, over the previous year. The circulation per capita was six volumes, which is higher than the circulation of the library books in the average city. Regular registered patrons of the library numbered 13,884 at the close of the year, 6,492 of them being children.

After reviewing the year's accomplishments, problems and difficulties, Miss Ingham summarizes and petitions the board as follows:

"The year 1921 has been an important year in our history. It records the largest circulation, the greatest per cent increase in all departments of the work, and the largest number of books purchased in any year.

"The opening of our branch (the Madison avenue library) is a milestone.

"The action of the state legislature to place libraries beyond the tax limitation gives us a better financial outlook than heretofore.

"To my mind, the appointment of a library board is the greatest outstanding event that marks the progress of our institution.

"We have been proud that in the five and one-half years of our history, so much has been accomplished. We feel that the library has made itself felt in the community and that in many ways we have been efficient, but we are reaching a turning point. With our present building and equipment there is no opportunity for advancement. The increase in the year's work shows that the public wants information and recreation furnished by books, and wants it in a larger degree than we are able to furnish.

"Without an adequate plant for housing books and carrying on the work, we must fall short of the maximum of service due this community.

"Relief cannot come in a day and in closing this report, I do recommend most earnestly that you give immediate consideration to this problem."

A policy of permanent extension of the library service was begun with the opening of the Madison branch October 10.

Stations were also maintained during the year and collections of books kept at the Marlowe telephone exchange and the National Carbon company, for employees. The Carbon works closed its library in December.

The library at the Lakewood high school circulated 20,555 books; Harrison school, 11,304; St. Cyril school, 1,091; and the Cleveland Yacht cadet school, 194. The Harrison and St. Cyril collections were withdrawn with the opening of the branch.

Juvenile books circulated totaled 103,021, an increase of 65,340, of which 43,021 was made in the main library and the rest in schools and stations.

In the opinion of Miss Ingham, the most worthwhile service given by the library, is the ability to answer a given question, no matter how trivial or weighty, whether to the curious or the reference worker. This service is maintained twelve hours a day and is being called for by larger numbers of people.

A total of 7,345 books was added during the year, while 1,942 were deducted, leaving at the end of the year 26,287 volumes. Of these 3,854 are at the Madison branch.

"The shelf room will not permit many more additions," Miss Ingham states. "We cannot stop buying and meet the insistent call for new books, for technical books, for business books, history and civics, to supplement the high school collection and to aid the many college students who board at home and go away from our library time and again disappointed that they are not able to find the required reading. Music and art have scarcely been touched., With an adequate book collection, when a call for a book on a given subject comes and the specific book is not in, something else can usually be substituted."

Miss Ingham calls attention to the fact that in the library of Brookline, Mass., a suburb of Boston with a population of 37,7000, there are over 100,000 volumes, although only a few more books are circulated than here.

The pamphlet library suffers from lack of filing space, says Miss Ingham. Eighty-nine periodicals are received, 73 by subscription and 16 as gifts. Due to inadequate rack room, these are difficult to find, however. Back files of magazines are kept in the basement and on the second floor and are difficult to get at for reference work.

"The next question is: Shall we sell for waste paper much of this valuable reference material or is the next storage place to be on the roof?" Miss Ingham asks.

Conditions are also crowded in the business office and, with the Madison branch and the prospect of opening branches at the Emerson and Horace-Mann Junior High schools, the clerical work will increase. Crowded conditions at the desk are such that complaints that there is no quiet for reading are becoming numerous.

Receipts of the library for the year, outside of taxes, totaled $2,140.02, of which $1,969.11 was in fines.

Crowded Conditions
The crowded condition is especially felt in the evening when the bulk of the work is done. We deal with a patient public who stand in line some minutes waiting for service as the size of the desk makes it impossible to furnish more desk assistants. After school and in the evening, when the children and high school students come in numbers, the adult who wishes to look over the magazines, or to study, can find no quiet corner where he can read or concentrate without the noise and  confusion of many moving about.

That the building has about reached its shelving capacity is to be deplored as there are many departments where the books are inadequate to the demand, such as technical and business subjects, music, sociology, history, etc.

Curios and Art
Lakewood has no place where curios and works of art can be shown, there are many valuable and interesting things in the homes Lakewood as well as the wealth of the Cleveland art museum available for loan exhibits. To arrange and care for such exhibits is another function of a library which we have been unable to assume, because of lack of room.

Branch Libraries
Branch libraries are a wonderful convenience to the various communities of a city even the size of Lakewood but a large central library is required as the general base of supply and it is trusted that ways and means may be provided to secure first, the expansion of the present main library and then the establishing of branch libraries in suitable localities to meet the demands and conveniences of all the people.

With the extension of facilities at the main library provision could be made for a museum of curios and art.
 
 

43:12
MADISON LIBRARY IS FORERUNNER OF SAVINGS & LOAN CO.
Over 2,000 Register at Library; Take 18,000 Books in 3 Months
1922
 

A natural forerunner of the new bank in the Madison district was the Madison branch of the Lakewood Public Library, established October 10 at Madison avenue, corner of Newman avenue, with Miss Florence Cottrell in charge. It spreads the doctrine of knowledge and the bank, of thrift.

According to the first report, hence, 1223 adults and 939 juveniles registered and took out 18,307 books. After the first rush by children, adults began to make more use of the room, and more reference work is being done.

Before the opening, schools were visited and registrations taken so that the first week was attended with comparatively little confusion. Less necessity for discipline was found than had been expected. Children showed a real appreciation of the library, which is partly traced by the librarian to the influence and interest of the teachers in the community.

The preparation of books for this branch was probably the largest outside activity of the Lakewood library last year. A total of 3,854 volumes were placed in the new branch, but the entire library collection is at the service of its patrons, as books may be ordered from the main library.
 
 

43:13
LIBRARY AT L.H.S. BUSY
Annual Report Shows Big Increase in Service and Patronage During Past Year by Susan Sterling
LAKEWOOD POST June, 1923

A report showing increased use and importance of the Library at Lakewood High school during the past year has been prepared by Miss Phoebe G. Pomeroy, librarian, for the information of Principal C.P. Briggs, the board of education and the public.

Following are some of the more important and interesting features of the report:

"To the Principal of Lakewood High School:

A written report of Lakewood High School Library is a poor medium through which to picture the year's work. It would take too long to enumerate the daily events, and to relate the many, varied and unexpected requests and demands upon the library. Each day presents its different problems, and makes the library a vital, active center of the whole school.

"The statistics show the busiest and most crowded year in the history of the library: 21,918 books were circulated, which was a gain of 1,369 over last year, and 3,573 over the first year. Since the library is primarily a reference library, the circulation of books is necessarily restricted as the books must be on the shelves for definite reference assignments. One copy of a book is used by many students during one day, whereas if circulated for the two weeks it would necessitate many more copies and deprive pupils of the books when needed during their study periods.

800 Per Day Use Library
"The attendance is probably more telling than any other form of statistics. Every pupil comes to the library with a definite question in mind. The attendance numbered 118,072 pupils during the school year, which is a gain of 19,976 over last year and 37,519 over the year preceding. No record of attendance was kept the first year and a half, so it is impossible to tell of the gain from the beginning. The average daily attendance in 1920-1921 was about 400, and this year it was almost 800, showing the use of the library has practically doubled. Some days the attendance exceeded a thousand, this thousand all in search of some definite information. Usually the afternoon periods are overcrowded, some days with 20 or 30 more than the library can seat. These pupils have the privilege of returning to their study hall, but many, because they have depended on the library period for their research work, prefer to study standing up, to returning to their study hall--which is a test of endurance and concentration that they do not get elsewhere.

"In September the co-operative plan between the Lakewood Public Library and the Board of Education went into effect. This plan has made possible the effective work of the library. The library transferred Miss Eunice Abell to our staff. Miss Abell is a graduate of Western Reserve Library School and has had previous experience, and has been a splendid co-worker. The reference work has increased to such an extent it was impossible to carry it without a trained assistant. With the increases use of the library the technical and routine keeps one person at the charging desk during the entire day. Beginning January first the library has paid the salary of a second assistant. Miss Elma Ridel, a graduate of Lakewood High School, 1921, has efficiently taken care of all the desk work. Two different High School boys have done page work after school. Norman Eppink, until he left school the end of February, and Carl Kasper from March until the close of school. Without this added staff the volume of the work could not possible have been carried on., We hope that the present staff may be continued next year.

L.H.S. Library Year's Statistics
 

Magazines	2643
Philology	162
Religion	343
Sociology	1492
Travel	512
Natural Science	689
Useful Arts	1032
Literature	2340
Fine arts	562
History	3068
Biography	802
Fiction	8273
Total	21,918
Attendance	118,072
Fines	$154.83
Books added	446
Registrations	485

 

43:14
WORK OF LIBRARY HAS DOUBLED IN SEVEN YEARS
LAKEWOOD POST July 5, 1923

New $150,000 addition will make room for 30,00 volumes.
JUVENILES ARE PROLIFIC READERS
Librarian Roena A. Ingham's Personality Has Made The Lakewood Institution a Busy Spot.

Work of the Lakewood Library has more than doubled in the seven years the institution has been open to the city residents and visitors.

Every inch of the $150,000 addition now being built will be used to make the facilities more roomy and commodious to readers who spend many hours during the evening in the library.

At present the library owns over 30,000 volumes. Librarian Roena A. Ingham knows more or less intimately of every book on the shelves. With the aid of the Round Table discussions in the Cleveland main library, which are held at frequent intervals, she has selected the books now owned by the Lakewood institution.

Round Table Talks Help
These Round Table meetings are composed of seventy-five main and branch librarians of Cleveland. The books recommended for purchase are reviewed by members of this body. Upon their recommendations the volume is purchased for the public's use. Many are expert in the subjects they review.

But the recommendation is not sufficient. The librarian must know her community. The class of people who live in the community in which the library is located is one of the basic principles which guides the selection of new volumes.

"The librarian's chief business," began Miss Ingham, "is to get her library books read. She must be extremely careful with the public's money. Often I reviewed the recommended books to determine for myself whether the book will be read, and whether it is really suited to the public's needs in my community.

"Space is another fine consideration the librarian must weigh. If a book is purchased which will only collect dust on the shelf you can readily see that it is only taking the room of a volume which might be read.

Miss Ingham's Personality
It is only a remarkable, persevering, and  energetic person who can be more or less intimately acquainted with 30,000 volumes. Miss Ingham's personality fairly radiates as she swings about the Lakewood library helping here and suggesting there. She is a round peg in a round hole.

No customer of the Lakewood library has to stand around to be waited on. The instant a reader approaches her, she is on her feet, listening to his request. In the next few seconds she is hustling to some corner of the library to fill his need. Volumes come from all parts of the library and are laid before him with page marks in them. The table is literally jammed with every book in the library which may carry some point on his subjects.

If Miss Ingham can not take care of a reader as quickly as she thinks he should be taken care of, one of her fifteen assistants are asked to help. Her routine work can wait, the customer's time must be saved. This seems to be the predominating rule of the Lakewood library.

Hundreds of catalogs are neatly arranged on her desk. At the last round table 215 books were listed for discussion. Miss Ingham had to know whether they were suited to the needs of the community. The catalog reviews had to help her with some of the information. The library's approbation is another item that must be watched with a pointed attention.

Reports neatly typed and filed are always on hand to give the citizens any information about the library's growth.

Community branches in Lakewood must be tended to. "You know one of the interesting things about the summer reading public is that the foreign readers' circulation figures fall during the summer months while the American public's circulation stays at about the same figures," declared Miss Ingham.

The interviewer could readily see that Miss Ingham's mind was working on that problem. She was scheming and planning to keep the foreign figure circulation on the other side of Madison avenue at a par with the winter's reading. Miss Ingham's personality will not let that problem drop from her mind until it is solved sooner or later. Her executive mind gives her little rest when a knotty problem becomes lodged in her makeup.

She is conservative in her views. As she culled book reviews from the catalog, for time to her is as valuable as a brick of gold, she talked with the writer.

"What are your favorite ten books?"

"Oh my, I don't know off hand. It would take a little time to decide," she returned. A week later Miss Ingham will have those books listed. A task set is a duty performed with her. She will carve a few hours out of her busy schedule and decide this question before the interviewer returns for his next story.

Who Are Heavy Readers?
Another question she refused to settle off hand was the age in which a person reads most. The age of 16 to 22 was suggested, and she immediately suggested that the circulation figures for May show that children are heavier library readers.

"You might say," she offered, "that residents of Lakewood read much more than readers of congested districts of Cleveland especially during the summer months." The time is never wasted in a conversation with Miss Ingham. She generally supplants another bit of valuable information on a topic when she is not certain of the answer to a question you have asked.

Busy years have kept Miss Ingham young and mentally alert. Her streaming white hair is finely contrasted with a ruddy complexion. Her eyes are sparkling with activity. They portray a mind that can take in a person at a glance. They also show a purpose, and that purpose is a desire to serve the public.

Miss Ingham finds time to be director and historian of the Lakewood Women's club.

Here are May, 1923 circulation figures:
 

	Main	Madison	High School	Emerson	H. Mann	Total
Total books issued	16684	2571	2572	1983	2223	26033
Juvenile books issued	7576	1942		1855	2062	13535
Pictures	223	1		45	64	333
Largest day	1317
Smallest day	363
Average	641	98		165	101
Juvenile Average	291	74
Books issued 1922	17355	3166	2413	1669		24603
Gain or loss adult	-561	-288	159	122		-407
Gain or loss juvenile	-110	-307		192		1837
Registration cards in Gain or loss total	-671	-595	159	314		1430
force	14990	1925		535	511
Additions, new	211	22	12	12	5
Reregistration	95
Deductions	348	5		4
Total in force	14948	1942		543	516
Reference-Visitors			15186	2035	3750	20971
Fines	$257.44	15.60
New books	325		23

Lakewood Library's Popular Books

Conquistador. By Katharine Fullerton Gerould
A vividly colored picture of life on a Mexican hacienda, with Paul Cameron, engineer, the leading character, struggling between the conflict of two elements of heredity--the characteristics of Scotch Covenanters and the Conquistadors.

Grays, The. By Charlotte Bacon
"Youth has its own life to live." But has it? In this novel the theme is that of a family of young people, each living "his own life" at the expense of others. Beautifully written, with characters carefully portrayed.

Selected By Roena A. Ingham, Lakewood Librarian

Life of Christ by Giovanni Papini.
A book that is destined to be a world classic, recounting in a beautifully simple style, the life of Christ, not from a theologian's view point, but from that of a sincere biographer. The work is translated from the Italian by Dorothy Canfield/ Harcourt, Brace & Co., $3.50

Stickfuls. By Irvin S. Cobb.
Newspaper days of a famous reporter ;and even more famous writer of short stories. Inside stories and intimate glimpses of New York newspaper life, and the account of notorious "scoops" make reading as absorbing as fiction.

Daughter of Adam, A. By Corra Harris.
Nancy McPherson, red-haired and aflame with youth and courage, may be a daughter of Adam, but she is Eve incarnate. The conflict of live, ambition, duty and the ultimate victory make an unusual story.

Little Life Stories. By Sir Harry Johnston.
Vivid stories of queer turns in the careers and love affairs of many people. "Good Night, Old Man!" is just one of the humorous sketches.

Sea Hawk, The. By Rafael Sabatini.
The piratical adventures of Sir Oliver Tressilian, dreaded "Hawk of the Sea." are even more bold and fascinating than those of the famous "Captain Blood." A novel that justifies the ranking of Sabatini as a modern Dumas.

Barnum. My M.R. Werner.
Humorous and interesting incidents, picturing the early romantic days of our country and the unusual character of P.T. Barnum, widely known American.

Possession. By Mazo de la Roche.
Pride of possession governs Derek Vale in his management of Grimstone, the farm which he inherits.

Scissors. By Cecil Roberts.
"Scissors," like Kim, is an English boy, brought up in Asia Minor, and his story and that of his closest companion, a Turkish lad, make up a fascinating tale of youth.

Quare Women, The. By Lucy Furman.
Actual life sketches of the people in the Kentucky mountains, written from the sympathetic viewpoint of a woman who has long worked among them.

Gale, Zona. A Faint Perfume.
Finely wrought novel by the author of "Miss Lulu Bell."

A.G.H. Lucas. E.V. Genevra's Money.
A complete story in Lucas' charming style, It is a story of Uncle Cavanagh's adventures distributing Aunt Genevra's money among her nephews and nieces. It is a very gay and cheerful story, and will be popular with readers of light literature.

Poole, Ernest. Danger: A Novel of Today.
An unusual novel of post-war problems with the scene laid in New York City. Evidently intended as propaganda against the persistence of war hatreds, it is at the same time a strongly dramatic story. To be published in June.

Tarkington, Booth. Fascinating Stranger and Other Stories.
A book of thirteen short stories. These stories have been published in magazines at various times are now collected together for the first time.

Train, Arthur. His Children's Children.
Story of a New York family in the second generation of its wealth and business prominence. Temperate in tone, it is nevertheless a severe criticism of modern business and social life.

Wells, H.G. Men like Gods.
Mr. Wells has now produced his own Utopia, a universe in another dimension than ours, with a civilization much older. Physio-chemical science, a communistic state, and rigorous birth control are the marked features of the land into which an ill assorted group of earthlings are suddenly hurled, and which they find hateful or congenial according to their various characters and ideas.

Stella Dallas. By Olive Higgins Prouty.
The story of a mother's live, supreme in its renunciation. Stella Dallas encounters the baffling barriers of social life, and when she discovers that it is Laurel, her lovely little daughter, who must pay the price, she makes a sacrifice that is complete in its generosity.
 
 

43:15
YOUR LIBRARY
LAKEWOOD POST May 29, 1924

Lakewood is invited to attend the opening of the Lakewood Public Library, beautified by its recent enlargement and more ready to serve the thousands of readers who have already found there a source of intellectual development. The Library opens its second epoch Tuesday afternoon, June 3rd, with a public reception.

The place held by the Library in this community cannot be considered lightly when one realizes that the staff has circulated upwards of two million volumes to Lakewood readers during the last eight years. The increase has been so rapid that the Library has been actually crippled by the lack of room.

The Public Library is the one institution of a community which is open and has something to offer all of the people all of time. It is for the well and for the sick, for the rich and for the poor, for the old and for the young, for those seeking practical help in the business of life and for those seeking needed escape from the business. It is the one institution by which the life of the entire community is enriched.

We cannot rightly consider the Library without giving much credit to Librarian Roena A. Ingham, who has served the community so faithfully in her stewardship of the mental treasure-trove. Her constant attention to the needs of a reading public, the details that surround the management of the main library, Madison Branch and school libraries has been a large factor in the growth of the institution. Those who saw her in the midst of the recent building operations, attending to details innumerable and formulating policies as the work progressed, will never doubt her part in the successful culmination of the work that will mean more and more to Lakewood as the years roll by.
 
 

43:16
LIBRARY OPENING, ART EXHIBIT, GALA EVENT
Source Unknown

Gold Medals Awarded To Three Artists by President of Library
Lakewood Post's Award Goes to Charles H. Hubbell; Meriam Sheldon Wins Library Medal; Arthur F. Wolff Gets Award

WATERCOLOR AND OIL PAINTINGS, ETCHINGS ADORN WALLS OF LIBRARY'S NEW AUDITORIUM
Entire Building Resplendent With Work Done By Lakewood Artists; Cases Display Arts and Crafts Work

Under most auspicious circumstances, Lakewood’s first exhibit of local artists was opened Tuesday evening when the formal reception of the Lakewood Public Library was held in the newly remodeled building, Detroit and Arthur avenues.

The new auditorium, transformed into a gallery, displayed scores of paintings, sketches, etching and pieces of arts and crafts work. The reference room, children's department and the board room of the library were covered with paintings.

The exhibition, planned but a week ago by a group of artists, became at once a center of attraction in the beautiful new building, designed and planned for enlargement by C.W. Hopkinson.

Charles H. Hubbell, 2095 Evelyn avenue, was awarded the Lakewood Post Gold Medal by the committee on awards. President C.C. Dibble made the presentations of honors to Miss Miriam Sheldon, Arthur F. Wolff and Mr. Hubbell.

Miss Sheldon won the Lakewood Public Library Gold Medal, presented by Mr. Dibble in behalf of the board of trustees and Mr. Wolf received the gold medal presented by citizens of Lakewood.

In making the awards, C.C. Dibble, president of the Lakewood Library Board pointed out that the showing exemplifies the "spirit of Lakewood."

"It is interesting to note the spirit displayed by those who have brought their work here for this exhibition."
 
 

43:17
ENLARGED LIBRARY IS VIEWED BY HUNDREDS
LAKEWOOD POST June 5, 1924

Throngs Crowd Remodeled Building When Doors Are Opened Tuesday Afternoon for Formal Opening Reception

Throngs of admiring Lakewoodites crowded the Public Library Tuesday for the opening of the building following the completion of the addition that triples the capacity of the building.

Children were forced to share with adults the admiration of the children's department, with its diminutive chairs and reading tables and a fireplace, resplendent with knightly deeds recorded in colored tile.

The enlarged interior of the building will lend itself to increased facilities for doing the work of the library and reading rooms have been provided on the second floor.

Reference rooms, with well-arranged files of information, have been added to the library space. A reference librarian will be in charge of the room.

Librarian Roena A. Ingham, under whose direction the remodeling has been done, has given the community the benefit of her long experience in library administration. The new library is up-to-date in every respect.

A lecture room, several meeting rooms and enlarged office space will increase the efficiency of the plant to a great extent.

Architect C.W. Hopkinson, who designed the library building is responsible for the arrangement of the addition. The building has no appearance of a remodeled structure.

On entering the front doors of the building, one comes immediately into the circulating department, the enlarged receiving desk will be a the right, while separate charging desks are placed near the door.

The front alcove will shelve the history and biography, and other classes of books are placed in order in the large room. Commodious offices for the librarian and clerical workers are in the rear.

Leading to the upper floor, a broad marble staircase adds beauty to the main room, as light from the big south window on the landing blends with the soft tones of the walls.

The building presents the last word in efficient library construction. Every detail has been planned to meet the exacting requirements of an up-to-date library.
 
 

43:18
PUBLIC INVITED TO OPENING OF LIBRARY JUNE 3
Source Unknown

Gala Event Includes Public Reception From 2 to 10 P.M. Tuesday
CAPACITY IS TRIPLED
Children's Department  Is Feature; Space Made for Exhibits

With an informal reception Tuesday, June 3, the Lakewood Public Library will be opened to the public, offering greater facilities than ever before.

Architect Charles W. Hopkinson and Librarian Roena A. Ingham have brought about a beautiful and enlarged structure with more than three times the capacity of the first building, built eight years ago.

The original building was the gift of Andrew Carnegie and cost $48, 901. It was opened May 19, 1916. The cost of the site was $9,728 purchases by the city of Lakewood, about one-third of the cost being donated by citizens of Arthur avenue and the immediate vicinity.

Rapid growth of Lakewood rendered the building inadequate and steps were taken in the fall of 1922 when a bond issue of $150,000 was approved by the voters of Lakewood for the enlargement of the building. The actual work of remodeling the building was begun May 1, 1923.

The building was increased to twice the size, though with the addition of the mezzanine floors and adequate basement for work rooms and storage, the capacity has been increased about three times.

On entering the front doors of the building, one comes immediately into the circulating department, the enlarged receiving desk will be at the right, while separate charging desks are placed near the door.

Staircase of Marble
The front alcove will shelve the history and biography, and other classes of books are placed in order in the large room. Commodious offices for the librarian and clerical workers are in the rear.

Leading to the upper floor, a broad marble staircase adds beauty to the main room, as light from the big south window on the landing blends with the soft tomes of the walls.

Mounting these broad stairs, one enters, on the Arthur avenue side of the building, a long reference and reading room. Here will be found more than a hundred weekly and monthly magazines on file, which can be read in quiet and comfort.

In the alcove at the south end of this room are shelved the books in the Fine and Useful Arts, such as books on technical and business subjects, Gardening, Art, Painting, Music, etc.

The useful vertical files at the north end of the room will take care of the large accumulation of pamphlets and clippings, so useful but so hard to find unless properly cared for.

Space for Art Exhibits
The corresponding room on the east side of the second floor is furnished as an auditorium with a seating capacity of two hundred. A small and attractive stage is fitted up at one end of the room.

It is hoped that the wall space in this room may at times be used for exhibiting works of art. A number of the Lakewood clubs have already made arrangements for dates for their regular meetings.

Among these are the Lakewood Woman's Club, Child Conservation League, the executive committee of the Parents and Teachers' Federation, the Delphian Society, the Woman's Welsh Club of Lakewood.

The front mezzanine is left about as it was in the old building, though the room used as the Board room for the Library Trustees has been beautified with paneled walls and a better ventilating system has been installed. This and the adjoining room will be available for club and committee meetings.
 
 

43:19
LAKEWOOD CITY LIBRARY GROWS
(Great Increase Shown Since Start 11 Years Ago)
LAKEWOOD POST, 1927

Lakewood Public Library is prospering.

One morning a scant 11 years ago Miss Roena A. Ingham, librarian, signed a receipt for the library's first circulating book--Abbott's "White Linen Nurse."

Friday Miss Ingham scanned her reports for 1926 and found that the circulation for the 12-month period was 416,378 while the number of registered book borrowers had soared from 7640 in 1927 to 23,302.

While Lakewood’s population has doubled, the number of books sent out for home use by the library has increased 75 per cent. In 1917, there was only one library agency, now there are eight. At the end of the first year of service the library listed 16,752 volumes--today there are 49,749.

Eight hundred twenty-eight meetings were held in the library building in 1926.

"With the library's needs rapidly increasing, within a short time there will not be available space for the various organization' meetings," Miss Ingham said. "There is a need for a new Community Center building to provide facilities for social activities for the young people as well as for civic and educational interests."
 
 

43:20
ONCE AGAIN THE CRY GOES UP FOR AN AUDITORIUM FOR LAKEWOOD TOWN
1927

And Once Again The Cry Will Have Been Made In Vain, Likely
For years the people of Lakewood have felt keenly the want of a public hall in which its several civic organizations could meet.

And more than once has the question of raising money for its construction been discussed--

And with the same result--

Nothing doing.

The trustees of the public library, at Detroit and Arthur avenues, have in the past granted the use of rooms there to the various bodies composed of women--maybe men, also.

On the score the Courier pleads its ignorance.

Yes, there is the auditorium in the Bunts road high school. But that is not always available. Nor is it large enough.

The members of the Lakewood Woman's Club have talked of a hall, as have the members of Lakewood Post No. 66, American Legion.

Some day that body of live men--the Lakewood Kiwanis Club--may put over a bond issue to raise the cash for a PEOPLE'S AUDITORIUM. If they attempt it it will go through a-flying.

And now arises Miss Roena A. Ingham, the very observant and efficient librarian of the public library, with the timely hint that the time is approaching when ALL THE ROOM there will have to be sued SOLELY FOR BOOKS!

Read what Miss Ingham said about the immediate need of a public hall for this city of 60,0000 inhabitants:

"With the library's needs rapidly increasing, within a short time there will not be available space for the various organizations' meeting. There is a need for a new community center building to provide facilities for social activities for the young people as well as for civic and educational interests."

Eight hundred twenty-eight meetings were held in the library building in 1926.

That will mean the end of that handy building as a meeting place for Lakewood’s civic and social organization.
 
 

43:21
LIBRARIAN REPORTS ACTIVITIES AT LAKEWOOD INSTITUTION IN 1927
Source Unknown

Miss Ingham States Local Library is Among Finest and Most Efficient in Country
Circulation of Children's Books is Big Percentage of Total; Popular for Meetings

A report on the activities of the Lakewood Public Library during 1927, made to the Library Board at their monthly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 14, by Chief Librarian, Miss Roena Ingham, shows that the local library stands among the finest and most efficient of its kind in the country.

Miss Ingham points out that the goals set up by the American Library Association have all been passed by the local institution. These aims include: service rendered to every section of the community, at least five books per capita circulated, and a minimum support for the library from taxation of $1.00 per capita.

During 1927 440,203 books were issued, an increase of 23,825 over 1926. In the past five years the circulation has been increased 25 percent.

Of the total circulation last year, 207,689 or almost one-half, were children's books.

The number of books shelved in the library totals 53,000, while at the high school there are 6,845 volumes.

The library also provides the use of the auditorium and club rooms for meeting of clubs, committees, etc. About 835 such meetings were held last year, an increase over each preceding year. Taking in consideration the fact that few are held during the summer it makes an average of four each day during the busy season.

The auditorium has housed two art exhibits during the year. In February, an exhibit of the Lakewood artists was held, and in May the work of the art department of the elementary schools was shown.

Six pictures by well known Cleveland artists loaned by Mr. and Mrs. Karl Schuele, 1085 Homewood drive, the work of Miss Clara Deike, has been exhibited, and the work of Mr. Horace Hewes, a well know eastern painter, has been loaned by Miss Helen Hewes.

At the Madison branch, Mr. Arthur Wolfe loaned three pictures of scenes around Lakewood.

To the regular picture collection were added three prints: Grangwyn, "The Buccaneers," Cezanne, "Boy with the Red Vest," and Graf, "The Inner Harbor," purchased by money given by the Woman's Club. Vases and bowls purchased by money from the College Club, League of Women Voters and the Delphians have added touches of artistic beauty to the library.

In addition to the various groups of pictures that have hung in the boys' and girls' room this year, there have been several interesting exhibits: Mr. Ege's collection of rare books and manuscripts, and Mr. and Mrs. Cleaveland R. Cross' Indian objects were the most outstanding ones.

Mr. Ege gave an auditorium talk on the history of the book to an enthusiastic group of adults and young people. Mr. Cross talked to groups from two schools on the life and customs of the Indians of the southwest.

At the close of the year, the staff numbered 27 full time staff workers, two experienced assistants giving part time, seven high school or college girls coming in for a few hours each week, one full time boy page and high school boys for shelving books at the main library and all of the branches, beside the janitor service, consisting of two full time men at the main and part time at Madison branch.

Of the 27 full time assistants ten are college graduates and five have had two or more years of college work, while twelve have had a one-year course in library school; four are now taking courses in Cleveland College and three resigned during the year to attend college.
 
 

43:22
MANY BRANCHES ARE MAINTAINED HERE
LAKEWOOD COURIER 1928

The annual report of the Lakewood Public Library shows that intensive work in the distribution of books is carried on extensively outside the library itself.

Regularly functioning branches are maintained at Madison school, the high school, and the three junior high schools: Emerson, Harding and Horace Mann.

Intensive work is done at Hayes and Taft schools, all students being, and Horace Mann each week.

Each Thursday afternoon an assistant visits the Lakewood Hospital supplying books to all patients who are able to read. The circulation at the hospital for the last year was 2,878 volumes.

Library stations are also conducted at Harrington night school and the Lakewood Telephone exchange.