Youth Services

Main Library
Main Building
4th Floor
325 Superior Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44114
216.623.2834
youth.services@cplorg.bigscoots-staging.com
Manager: Annisha Jeffries

Check out the Kids page!

Storytime, Tutoring, Homework Help, Parent Resources, Educator Resources & YRead? Book Sets, ArtLab, as well as a calendar of events. Also find information on the history of the prestigious Norman A. Sugarman Children’s Biography Award–given biennially by the Cleveland Public Library to honor excellence in the field of biography for children–and explore a list of all past winners.

Check out the Teens page!

Homework help, suicide prevention, LGBTQ resources, Educator Resources & YRead? Book Sets, Studio 470, a calendar of teen events, and more.

Parent Resources

Life as a parent is not always easy. Our parent resources were created by our Children’s Librarians to help you through the good and difficult days of parenting. Hand selected books, searchable databases and trusted web sites are designed to help you and your child through life’s little challenges.

Educator Resources & YRead? Booksets

Educators from schools and licensed child care centers can utilize Educator Resources such as online databases, printed brochures, early literacy calendars, and YRead? book sets. Qualified educators may also apply for educator cards.

About the Department

The Youth Services Department functions as a children’s and young adult 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 audio books. Multimedia materials, sturdy board books, picture books, parenting information, and innovative literacy enhancement technology including a SMART TABLE and an AWE Learning Station.

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, audio 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-1990’s & early 2000’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 and donated to the Children’s Literature Department in 1966 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

Summer Reading Club

cpl.beanstack.com

Outreach

Youth Services Department staff members visit schools, day care centers, and other organizations to provide story times, programs, and other library services to the community. Outreach programs help the general public to access library services, strengthen the library role as a community partner, and increase the awareness of library resources.

Activities

Group story times, introduction to library resources, and school tours available by appointment.

ArtLab

An art studio offering engaging workshops, story times and activities especially designed to give children and their caregivers the opportunity to experiment with different materials and techniques.

Studio 470

Our newest place for teens to hangout and socialize. The purpose of Studio 470 is to gently guide youth as they have fun, learn/engage in the creative process in a safe, comfortable environment, with nurturing, creative Youth Services staff. Monday – Friday 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Computer Center

Computer Lab Center provided for children, teens, parents, caregivers, and educators during all open library hours.

The Norman A. Sugarman Children’s Biography Award

This 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 “Five early literacy practices” to help young children learn to read.

The staff produces Hot Titles for Cool Readers for K-8 kids and a teen booklist Enticing Book Titles for Teens.