2024 CPL Foundation Partnership Opportunities

Last year, the Cleveland Public Library (CPL) launched Cleveland READS to increase literacy rates citywide.

We are proud to share some of the results of this campaign, which far surpassed our original goals.

We appreciate your support and partnership, which played a vital role in the success of this inaugural year of Cleveland READS.

Cleveland READS enabled the library to progress towards our strategic priority to Close the Gaps, addressing inequalities facing our city. The benefits of a literate community are not limited to education and students but affect social welfare, workforce development, and even healthcare. This is why it is so essential for us to continue this work this year.

In 2024, we will focus on youth and digital literacy to further our impact.

Click here to download the complete Cleveland READS Year One Impact Report

Youth Literacy

This year, we will increase the number of children under the age of 5 with the literacy skills to be ready for kindergarten.

We will do this through:

Our Young Scholars Academy, a free program that prepares children for kindergarten and builds support for their first year of school. Families gain valuable skills to help their child succeed in school through fun activities like reading, writing, talking, singing, and playing together.

Our Summer Literature “Lit” League, a signature program of CPL, will promote learning retention over the summer months, preventing summer set back and improving literacy skills.

The new On the Road to Reading van will launch this fall delivering instruction to the community via daycares, preschools, community centers, and more.

Professional development opportunities that help librarians keep up-to-date and provide the best service to our community. Participating in these opportunities is a vital tool for all librarians at any stage of their careers.

Digital Literacy

Cleveland Public Library will broaden the training in digital literacy for patrons of all ages to provide the necessary skills in digital technologies like internet platforms, social media and mobile devices

in the following ways:

Provide programming for underserved youth with comprehensive programs integrating life skills, tech education and job support. Our new Studio 525 downtown, Verizon Innovation Center at our Fulton Branch, and our Best Buy Teen Tech Center at our Rockport Branch give youth and teens areas to gather and learn together.

STEM programming, tech training, creative learning and gaming programs will continue to be offered to help students’ interests grow in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Our senior audience will be served through our new tech outreach van to meet them where they are, and coming in 2025 in the new Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Workforce and Senior Digital Innovation Lab at the Glenville Branch.

Become a Sponsor

We Need Your Help

The Cleveland Public Library Foundation exists to raise philanthropic support for Cleveland Public Library. The Foundation allows the Library to do more for the people of this community given the work outside the scope of traditional library services, like Cleveland READS, is not funded by the state and local tax dollars received by the Library.

Your support of the Cleveland Public Library Foundation this year will directly benefit these programmatic activities that help to address critical learning and essential life skills for people of all ages. Donors receive many benefits, including tickets to the CPL Foundation’s celebration in October where we will share the success of our year with you. [Click here for the CPLF 2024 Sponsorship packet]

Please consider supporting Cleveland READS this year through the CPL Foundation. Your contribution will allow the library to take its programs and services even further; to pivot, change and innovate to really be there in the way that our community needs us for a brighter future.

With your help, we can create evolving libraries that transform lives and build stronger communities.

Partnership Benefits

Your organization’s participation through one of these levels will help create a better future for all by supporting the library through the CPL Foundation.