More than a card: Why Cleveland Public Library still matters in the digital age

September is National Library Card Signup Month. The Land talked with Cleveland Public Library Executive Director Felton Thomas, Jr. at the Main Library downtown. Thomas discussed why libraries still matter in the digital age, his most consequential decision while leading CPL and the future of the institution.

Why does having a library card still matter in 2026, especially  when so much information is available online?

We continue to promote National Library Card Signup Month because library cards are a symbol of freedom and information access and the library is the great equalizer. While many things are available through the internet, not everyone is connected, and a library card provides that gateway. From someone who is 3 to 83 years old, whether you have a GED or PH.D., everyone has access to the library.

For someone who hasn’t stepped into a library in years, what would surprise them most about today’s Cleveland Public Library?

The biggest surprise is that, in essence, we are a living room where people come to converse. The days of thinking of us as a space where people come in amongst librarians shushing people is antiquated. We’re much more of a transformational model now where people come to be inspired. If you walk into our Main Library downtown now, you’ll see the Cleveland Cavaliers exhibit, celebrating their 10-year anniversary of winning the NBA Championship. Minutes away is our Popular Department where people can get books and other items. Our third-floor houses special collections, including the largest display on jazz in the world. We bring people together and give them an opportunity to experience things they couldn’t on their own. We truly are The People’s University.

How does having a library card help support literacy from early childhood through adulthood?

When a child gets a library card, it’s an opportunity to understand that not only can he get books but also engage in a lesson about responsibility. He understands that once you get access to all these fun things through your library card, you also have the responsibility to make sure you return them. Many of our parents teach their children about accountability initially by getting them a library card. Throughout CPL, we provide a Kindergarten Academy that benefits parents and children. Parents collaborate with CPL staff to learn how to best promote literacy with their children. Those children learn the value of using their local library into adulthood.

Access to reliable information has become more important and challenging in recent years. How do public libraries help people navigate misinformation while remaining trusted community institutions?

That’s the essence of who we are. Libraries are always at the top of the list because people know that we are bound to give the most correct information possible. We do a great deal of work with our technology programming to ensure people learn how to identify misinformation often found on the internet. The classes are especially valuable for our seniors to help them avoid being scammed.

You’ve led Cleveland Public Library through a period of significant transformation. What do you believe is your most consequential decision as the executive director?

The most consequential decision I’ve made is to advance our Facilities Master Plan and ask our community to help support it. When I first arrived in 2009, we surveyed the community and asked, “What are the things you really like about us and what could we do better?” Inevitably, they loved our people, programs and services. But many of our buildings hadn’t seen any major renovations in 40 years and they were showing their age. The community said they would love to see new buildings constructed, as nice as the suburban libraries. We went to the community and passed a levy in 2015. Now, all 27 branches in the system have been or will be rebuilt as a result.

Public Libraries rely on taxpayer support. How do you demonstrate value to residents who may rarely use library services?

When I talk with community members who have not used the library, they tell me that they don’t come into the library but would if they thought the library provided something they needed. I tell them about what we provide and they realize they could benefit from those services. They also comment that they love what Cleveland Public Library does for our youth through programming and see the value of their taxpayer dollars at work.

As the executive director of Cleveland Public Library, what accomplishment are you most proud of and what impact has it had on Cleveland culture?

I’m proud of implementing Cleveland Public Library’s Facilities Master Plan. However, my biggest accomplishment is advancing CPL’s great public research reputation, which is ranked number three in the nation and connecting that asset to our community libraries. I’ve led a team that continues to rebuild CPL spaces and improve resources. We’ve created arteries into every community through the main branch of CPL. 

Looking ahead, what is your vision for Cleveland Public Library between the next five to 10 years?

We envision continuing our equalizer role throughout the community and we’re focused on two areas. First, is a commitment to always be at the forefront of technology and provide access for everybody. Second, is a dedication to arts and culture, which is important to the city of Cleveland. Some people believe they’ve been denied access to arts and culture through various institutions. It’s our job to bridge that gap. Enter Cleveland Public Library downtown and see the exhibit spaces we’ve created, including our collaboration with Cleveland Ballet and their mini performances here at the library. Our neighborhood branches feature art installations with a unique flair for that area.

Reflecting over the past 15 years, was there any initiative or program that surprised your regarding community response?

It’s our arts and culture work. Early in my tenure, I had a woman approach me during one of our social services events. She told me she appreciated the vendors but that she was human too. She wanted to be like the people in the suburbs and experience arts and culture. I had an aha moment where I realized we had created a mentality of CPL mainly providing social services, which is good, but we could do so much more. People wanted to see jazz concerts in their community (which now occur at the Langston Hughes branch) or learn line dancing (now available at the Martin Luther King branch). Downtown is more about exhibit spaces, and together, arts and culture initiatives now thrive throughout the Cleveland Public Library system.

What have neighborhood branches of CPL taught you that couldn’t learn from data itself?

It’s the personal stories of our patrons. I once walked into one of our branches and a man stopped me, knowing I was the director. He proceeded to tell me his story about how the year before, he lost his job and within a week, his wife left him to raise three kids on his own. He had to figure out his next steps and the only place he knew to start was the library. He told his story to the librarians and they showed him how to use the computer to do his resume. While there, staff engaged his children in activities. Online applications led to interviews. He enrolled his children in library programming while he went on the interviews, knowing they were safe there. Three months later he found a job and his footing. Today, his kids still use that library regularly. The man was so grateful, he started to cry. He told me the people we have working at the library changed his life. That’s a story you won’t find by analyzing data.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how people find information. How do you see AI changing the role of librarians?

AI has been around for years and only recently reached its tipping point. Our job as librarians is to embody a neutral approach to AI while concurrently ensuring the community has a better conceptual understanding, because it’s here to stay. Here at Cleveland Public Library, we’re creating a committee to begin discussions on AI and how we will use it both internally and externally.

If you could leave readers with one message about the value of Cleveland Public Library, what would it be?

Libraries are for everyone and a library card is valuable for every person in the city of Cleveland. Come into the Cleveland Public Library and see the things we do. Go online and look at the databases you have access to. We have free music and a video streaming service similar to Netflix, called Kanopy. Do you want access to the world? You can find it at Cleveland Public Library.