ACRL 2019

Mandi Goodsett, Evan Meszaros, Michelle S. Millet, and Jennine Vlach Welcome to An introduction to the Rock and Roll Capital of the World

e’re all very excited to have you join were inhabited by the Native Americans of Wus April 10–13, 2019, in Cleveland the Mississippian culture, the Erie Indians, for the ACRL 2019 conference. The theme, and groups of the Ottawa Nation before “Recasting the Narrative,” is definitely an ap- European American fur trappers and set- propriate descriptor for current-day Cleve- tlers moved into the region. The City of land. Gone is most of the manufacturing Cleveland was founded in 1796 by Moses that made Cleveland the fifth largest city in Cleaveland of the Connecticut Land Co., the country in the a group of specu- mid-20th century. lators who had Our city’s current purchased the renaissance is State of Connecti- built on medicine, cut’s “Western arts, and foodie Reserve”—much culture. of what is now In this first ar- northeast — ticle, we’re going to parcel and sell to briefly intro- to settlers moving duce you to the city, its history, and the west. Perhaps because the city’s founder neighborhoods around it. In future articles spent very little time living there, the citi- leading up to the conference, we will dis- zens of the young city eventually began cuss social justice, arts, culture and sports, spelling the name of the city without the local libraries, and dining. Cleveland has expendable “a,” as it is currently spelled. something for just about everyone. Really, we want you to see the Cleveland we’ve all come to know and love, and love it yourself just as much. Mandi Goodsett is performing arts and humanities librarian at Cleveland State University’s Michael Schwartz Library, email: [email protected], Geography and history Evan Meszaros is research services librarian at Located on the southern shore of Case Western Reserve University‘s Kelvin Smith Library, email: [email protected], Michelle S. and straddling the once infamously flam- Millet is director of the Grasselli Library and Breen mable , Cleveland has been Learning Center at John Carroll University, email: home to a diversity of people for centuries. [email protected], and Jennine Vlach is team leader of access and delivery services, at Case Western Beginning with the Adena and Hopewell Reserve University, email: [email protected] Mound Builders more than 1,000 years © 2018 Mandi Goodsett, Evan Meszaros, Michelle S. Millet, and Jennine ago, Cleveland and its immediate vicinity Vlach

C&RL News September 2018 410 By the time of the Civil War, Cleveland’s Oil Co., the first city to experience electric population had grown to more than 43,000 street lights in 1879, and the home of the residents, and the city had incorporated inventor of the three-light traffic signal, several adjoining communities, such as Garrett Morgan. Around the turn of the 20th Ohio City and Chagrin Falls, which to- century, Cleveland’s dominant stature in day comprise some of Cleveland’s many U.S. steel manufacturing led to an explosion neighborhoods. These neighborhoods were in its population and economic growth. In generally segregated by nationality, and the 1930, Cleveland was the fifth largest city diversity of nationalities and ethnicities rep- in the country, with a population of more resented by these neighborhoods increased than 900,000. Technological innovations steadily throughout the city’s history. like trains, cable cars, and skyscrapers, in Whereas addition the ear- to the ly- and booming mid-19th indus- century tries of largely steel and saw Eng- manu- lish and factur- Germans ing, pro- settling pelled in the Cleve- area, land to waves of renown Italians, among Russians, American Austro- cities. Hun- Postcard circa 1937 showing an aerial view of the Great Lakes Exposition The city’s garians, at Cleveland. In the distance is and the main Cleveland train sta- Slovaks, business district. tion, Poles, Cleve- and other Eastern and Southern European land Union Terminal, was built in the immigrants—many of whom were also 1920s, and the Terminal Tower that stood Jewish—followed throughout the late 19th above it was the tallest building in the world and early 20th centuries. After the Civil War outside of until 1967. The and the emancipation of Southern slaves, arts also blossomed in Cleveland during this Cleveland also saw a steady increase in the time, as the stately Cleveland Museum of number of African Americans moving to the Art was erected in 1916, and the Cleveland area. To reflect the city’s increasing diver- Orchestra’s gorgeous was sity, the first of the Cleveland Cultural Gar- built in 1931. dens was introduced in 1916 to Rockefeller Beginning in the late 1960s and continu- Park on the city’s east side, and, since the ing into the 1980s, however, the population end of World War II, the city has celebrated of Cleveland decreased quickly as, like its annual One World Day throughout the many “rust belt cities,” the industries that park’s 31 cultural gardens. had made Cleveland prosperous began Cleveland was also the home to a num- to die out. Poverty, crime, and racial ten- ber of “firsts” during the Second Industrial sions took center stage at this time, and Revolution. It was notably the birthplace Cleveland fell into disrepute. The city also of John D. Rockefeller and his Standard experienced now legendary pollution, epit-

September 2018 411 C&RL News omized by the Cuyahoga River occasion- your options is a bus system and a bike ally catching fire. One such fire in 1969 share program, supported by University was the impetus for President Nixon to Hospitals. If you choose to use Uber or form the Environmental Protection Agency Lyft, they are also fairly easy to grab in and the Clean Water Act. the downtown area and surrounding Fortunately, Cleveland has since neighborhoods. experienced a renewal, bringing a new wave of tourists to the city, a foodie Lay of the land and craft beer scene, and even the 2016 Because Cleveland is situated to the Republican National Convention. In south of Lake Erie, it can help to know , several old the- that the lake is always to the North. Most aters that had been slated for demolition Clevelanders divide up the neighbor- were renovated and developed into the hoods surrounding Cleveland into the District, the largest east and west sides. The west side con- performing arts center in the country sists of Lakewood, Rocky River, and the after Lincoln Center in New York City. surrounding communities, and can be Institutions like the , accessed by crossing the Cuyahoga River Case Western Reserve University, and via the , Cleveland State University have seen featuring the iconic Guardians of Traf- considerable growth in the last decade, fic statues or the striking steel Veterans and they bring a diversity of residents, Memorial Bridge that spans from down- as well as innovative ideas, to the city. town to West 25th Street. The east side Cleveland’s many museums, such as is composed of suburbs like Cleveland the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Heights, Shaker Heights, and University Great Lakes Science Center, continue to Heights, all of which, as their names sug- bring in tourists from across the country, gest, signal the beginning of the Appala- and the city’s charming neighborhoods— chian landscape that continues through from Little Italy and Larchmere on the western Pennsylvania. Clevelanders are east to Tremont and Ohio City on the often proud of their chosen side of town, west—offer restaurants, shopping, and so don’t be surprised if you encounter entertainment options that reflect the someone vehemently defending the east diverse residents who live there. or west side.

Getting around Downtown The public transportation system of Downtown Cleveland is centered on Pub- Cleveland (the RTA) is small, but mighty, lic Square. This small but vibrant green and will be quite useful during your visit. space is also home to the Soldiers & Sail- First up, you can take the Red Line rapid ors Monument, dedicated to the veterans rail from the Cleveland Hopkins Interna- of the Civil War. There’s a neat little free tional Airport straight to Tower City/Pub- museum inside, underneath the statue. lic Square/Downtown for $2.50. (Day On weekends, people can be seen play- passes are $5.50.) All of the ACRL con- ing in the fountains or availing themselves ference hotels are located within a few of the free games or yoga. Marches, pro- blocks of Tower City. In addition, there tests, rallies, and festivals all start and end is a free trolley system with four different here at Public Square. routes that loop around downtown and In the downtown area, you’ll findEast into , stopping at several desti- 4th Street, a pedestrian-only section of nations of note. The C-line trolley has downtown filled with some of our best a Convention Center stop. Rounding out restaurants, including one operated by

C&RL News September 2018 412 our James Beard award winner Jonathon ship with a local farm for other products. Sawyer. If the weather cooperates, patios Across from the Convention Center is a mall will be open and full. Sitting outside and with the famous Free Stamp. Don’t forget eating and drinking on the patio is a sport to take a selfie with it. Keep looking from all its own in Cleveland. We’ve been inside there, and you’ll be able to see the Rock & all winter so when the sun comes out, so Roll Hall of Fame, Lake Erie, and the rest do we. Also downtown is the flagship main of the area. branch of the , One thing to note about Cleveland’s an impressive 1920s-era building that in- downtown is that it is a walkable city and, cludes a Works Progress Administration art add in the trollies or other public transporta- mural by Ora Coltman. Tower City, across tion, you should be able to see many of our

The Cleveland skyline and Flats neighborhood at night. Photo credit: Aerial Agents for ThisisCleveland.com. from Public Square, is another early 20th- favorite things and places. Several historic century gem, and, at one time, the tallest buildings are from Cleveland’s 20th-century building in the . It has an heyday and are beautifully repurposed. observation deck available and often has a Check out the downtown Heinen’s grocery family of peregrine falcons watching high store in a former bank, as an example. above the city. Playhouse Square, just east of down- The Huntington Convention Center of town, is home to our theater district. Take a Cleveland is a few blocks north of Pub- trolley ride or a stroll down Euclid Avenue. lic Square in area. Much of the You can’t miss it because the world’s larg- facility itself is underground, and it has est outdoor chandelier (a gift from General a green rooftop. In partnership with the Electric) is hanging above. Next to Rock- Global Center for Health Innovation, the efeller Center, the theater complex here is Convention Center is a leader in green and the largest in the United States. sustainable food and services on premises. Two other areas downtown that are On-site restaurants use produce grown at worth mentioning are the Flats and the the Convention Center and are in partner- Warehouse District. The Flats is a newly

September 2018 413 C&RL News revitalized area. The East Bank has several If you make it over here, don’t miss Superior great restaurants. The West Bank contains Phó. Try the bus or share a ride. a popular music venue, Nautica Pavillion, Detroit Shoreway. Within this neigh- the Cleveland Aquarium, and the Music Box borhood along the shoreway you’ll find the Supper Club. If you’re a late-night/dancing Gordon Square Arts District. The revitaliza- kind of librarian, the Warehouse District tion of this area brought several new op- will be your jam. tions for food and shopping. It’s accessible via the Red Line, bus, or share a ride. Neighborhoods Like to explore? The neighborhoods out- Climate side of downtown Cleveland all have a lot Look, we aren’t going to lie to you. It might of cool things to offer. Here’s a peek at be cold. It might be sunny. There’s a say- some of our favorites. ing that we Clevelanders use a lot that goes, /Uptown. Home to “If you don’t like the weather, wait five min- several of our most important institutions, utes.” That large lake to our North? She does including Case Western Reserve University, what she wants. So bring layers of cloth- the , the Cleveland Mu- ing, and we’ll have a great time either way. seum of Art, and the Cleveland Museum of Hopefully you will not hear the words “lake Natural History, to name a few. Grab a hot effect snow” while you’re here. If you do? No dog and cover it with Froot Loops at Happy worries. Everything in Cleveland stays open. Dog at the Euclid Tavern. This neighbor- Thanks for reading our introductory article hood is accessible via the Health Line or about the place we call home. We hope you the Red Line train. will love Cleveland as much as we do. Until Ohio City. Walk over the Guardians of next time. Traffic Bridge or take the red line one stop from Tower City and you’re right in the ACRL 2019 Scholarships heart of a fun neighborhood with good restaurants and unique bars. Don’t miss the ACRL is offering approximately 150 schol- Westside Market or the Transformer Station, arships worth more than $100,000 for the an outpost of modern art. ACRL 2019 conference to be held April Tremont. This neighborhood is prob- 10-13, 2019, in Cleveland. Scholarship ap- ably Cleveland’s hippest spot. Loaded with plications to attend the conference are due restaurants and bars, there’s lots to see and on Friday, October 5, 2018. eat. Tremont also has a First Friday art walk. Accessible via bus, bike, or share a ride. Scholarships are available in the following Little Italy. Cleveland proudly still categories: boasts being home to its very own Little Italy, filled with great food and bakeries. • Early-career librarian scholarships, Our Little Italy started with Italian immi- • Mid-career librarian scholarships, grants who came to Cleveland largely in the • Library support staff scholarships, early 20th century to work with marble. A • Library school student scholarships, large amount of marble went into building and Lakeview Cemetery, located directly up the • Spectrum scholar travel grants hill. You can get to this neighborhood on the Red Line. To learn more, apply, or donate to the con- St. Claire/Superior. This corridor, west ference scholarship fund, visit the scholar- of downtown, is filled with old factories that ships section of the ACRL 2019 website at are being revitalized. Cleveland’s Asiatown conference.acrl.org/scholarships/. is here, and the Cleveland Flea calls it home.

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