Cleveland Library, located near the Wake and Johnston border at the I-40 and N.C. 42 intersection, is trying to fill the book gap between Wake’s Southeast Regional Library in Garner and Johnston County’s large library in Smithfield. Cleveland’s first 5-mile circle/service area includes 10,000 children and 33,000 adults, but no incorporated community. Recently when both counties, which can easily be stocking 180-200 copies of a title, ran out of several high demand book titles, the overlooked Cleveland Library was still able to lend the titles to its patrons. Although the library is dependent on book donations, funds, and volunteers, when funds are available, Cleveland can shop, buy, and shelve many of its new books within 24 hours. This is one advantage of a low overhead, volunteer run and community driven library.

Library patrons can now find these popular titles on the Cleveland Library shelves:

“The Help” by Kathryn Stockett

This book brings back the stories, emotions, and culture of Mississippi for those who experienced it through the 1960s, but it is written as fiction. Many readers in 2011 will find it uncomfortable reading, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Times are changing, with the cultures of discrimination and prejudice not gone, but waning. Although released in hard cover in 2009, it is still so very popular that a recent search showed only one copy remained on the shelves in Wake and Johnston County public libraries.

“The Art of Racing in the Rain” by Garth Stein was released in 2008 and 2009 and is a look at humans, their lives, and interactions from the dog’s point of view. There is both humor and loyalty abounding in this selection.

“Amazing Gracie: A Dog’s Tale” by Dan Dye was originally released about 10 years ago and easily won recognition for its teen appeal. Most any age will read and enjoy this book with its Great Dane rags to riches success story, ending with a chain of bakeries. The bakeries were not for Italian bread and humans, but for the dogs with very tender tummies. Read, laugh, enjoy, be encouraged, but keep a hankie in hand.



“Half Broke Horses” by Jeanette Walls is labeled fiction. It tells the story of a girl who can ride and rope, but well could be the story of Jeanette’s heritage coming from the Depression era, when she took a 500-mile trip to become a school teacher. A great read!



Cleveland Library is located at 5533 NC Hwy 42 W, Ste. D96, in the rear of Peddler’s Village. Hours are Monday, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call (919) 661-6565 or visit http://4042needs.org/library.