Cleveland Library, created by Basic Needs Ministry, to serve the 40,000 residents living near the Wake-Johnston border was saved by donations received hours before the rent was due for August. Cleveland is one of three libraries not operating on direct tax dollars and government grants in North Carolina. It is seeking regular monthly donations to keep the nail biting time at a minimum. Cleveland’s 100,000 book and video collection is hidden from Highway 42 in the rear warehouse units in Peddler’s Village at 5533 NC HWY 42 W STE D96, Garner. Staff released the August and September schedule so its hundreds of patrons can plan their visits. Due to staffing shortages, its hours change weekly and are available at http://4042needs.org/library/.

Volunteers spruced up the children’s library by improving the carpeting, lighting, tables, and seating. It has been child tested and approved. The volunteers already repaired the damaged bookcases in the children’s area, where something or someone recently smashed through the outer wall with enough force to knock the bookcases apart.

Volunteers have been working through the hottest period of the year to reorganize the clothing closet at Basic Needs Ministry in preparation for the library’s expansion. The clothing is being consolidated on the west side of the room and will have a three tier pricing scheme: traditional low thrift shop prices for the clothing after sorting and display on the indoor display racks, $1 clothing stored in plastic tubs in the yard sales area, and free clothing for those given gift certificates and referred by over 315 churches, schools, and organizations. New goods are received and displayed weekly by volunteers.

After several setbacks, the director is still planning to open a separate adult fiction hardcover and trade section this fall, doubling the number of titles. Plans have been drawn toad shelving and triple the adult non-fiction section. Volunteers with carpentry skills are needed to make this happen as well as donors to get the materials for at least 37 more 4’x8’bookcases. The work crews have estimated the cost at $2,500 for pine board. They agreed that it would be easier and prettier to buy the shelves prebuilt and finished for $32,000, if that is what the community wishes. It is what you would expect to see in a public library at 12.8 times the cost of the library’s proposed basic shelves, but they would possibly last longer.

Cleveland needs volunteers to paint the inside of the cozy room in the children’s library. It hasn’t been painted in the last ten years. Parents agree that It will be much more welcoming, when it is bright and clean looking.

Painters are sought for the small adult fiction section, which will need a little sanding or scraping to remove vinyl signs or lettering. This will require primer as well as top coat. The library has selected the paint for both jobs.