Free Stuff

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company gave $1,420,000 worth of new books (link to selected titles) to Cleveland Library to help provide needed reading materials to local homes. Good360 facilitated matching the donor to the charity. Unlike many of the library's usual children's projects, these books are written for adults to read for enjoyment. Many adults have gotten so involved in their work or frustrated by the lack of work, that they no longer take time to read. When the new books started arriving at Cleveland Library, it was like Christmas morning. Slit the tape, lift the flaps, pull out the packing, look at the list of titles, and then carefully lift out the books, without drooling or crying on them. There were 180,000 books already trying to bury the volunteers at the library, but it was still so amazing and humbling to see the books that were discussed for a month or so starting to show up and then actually be able to touch them. The staff started giving books away to local residents the same evening they arrived. Photo-David Greenfield of Friendship Clothing switching books between trucks

This effort is in keeping with the mission of Cleveland's Basic Needs Ministry, which began promoting books and reading in Cleveland in 2004 and helped open the library in 2008 to support the growing needs of children and families, living without a local library in the area between Garner and Benson. One copy of each book will be available in the library for the community to share, but the rest will be given away. If your home doesn't have books, look for the Library's car and table set up around the county. It may be in a subdivision or parking lot near you. The library may not sell or exchange the books.

Donations are being accepted at the library to cover its monthly opeating costs. Because Johnston's library's are supported by their town's taxes, county based libraries are not funded and must have a funding plan-annual membership and active donor base, etc.. Cleveland issues its own library cards, which are available, at the library and at most community book displays. The library is at 5533 N.C. HWY 42 W STE D96, Garner, behind the first row of shops, and is open 32 hours weekly: Mondays 1-9; Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays 9-5. Volunteers are needed to move and prepare 56,000 pounds of books for community distribution. More information about the library is available at: http://4042needs.org/ or call the service desk at 919-661-6565. IRS verification sheets for donated books