During his 36 years as librarian of the Cleveland Public Library, William H. Brett worked to extend access and availability of materials to children. Space was allocated in the reading room until a separate library could be devoted to the institution's young patrons in 1898. Under the guidance of then vice-librarian Linda Eastman, the Children's Library League was formed in 1897. Similar organizations quickly emerged in libraries throughout the country, modeling themselves after the Cleveland Public Library. Guided by the motto "CLEAN HEARTS, CLEAN HANDS, CLEAN MINDS," the league taught children how to properly care for and handle books.Download Original File
