Document Type

Report

Publication Date

1-1-2012

Research Center

Northern Ohio Data and Information Service (NODIS)

Abstract

We provide here an analysis of the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the Cleveland Public Library’s (CPL) service area and that of the neighborhoods in which the library’s patrons live. We also describe the borrowing patterns for the branch and downtown, Main Library, locations. The census-based demographic and socioeconomic data used for the analysis include income, number of children, race, Hispanic ethnicity, language spoken at home, ability to speak English, public-versus-private school attendance by grade level, housing tenure (owner/renter), educational attainment, employment status, and place of employment (Cleveland versus other). Data from the 2010 census and the Census Bureau’s 2005-2009 American Community Survey are used. The analysis includes projected population to 2015 and 2020. Rates of patronage by neighborhood provide insights into the “market penetration” of library services in each neighborhood and reveal potential issues of accessibility and quality of service among the branch locations. A matrix of borrowing borrower counts by lending branch and residential service area of the patrons provides insight into how branches draw patronage from its own and other Cleveland library service areas. In addition to tables of data found in the appendix, selected demographic and socioeconomic characteristics from the Census Bureau’s 2005-2009 American Community Survey (ACS) are graphed and mapped. Library patrons are also mapped by branch visited, age, and service received (Appendix A). These data assist in determining the viability of branch locations and the potential relocation, consolidation, or expansion of branch locations or services.

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