CLEVELAND -- There's a recent crop of graffiti on Cleveland's West Side that has a worthwhile message -- "Read" and "Read More Books."

The signs are on abandoned factories but similar "tags," as graffiti is known as, of "Reader" are on buildings still in use.

"This is not a kid with a can of spray paint. I thought maybe the city put it up, like a public service thing," said Ken Gretchko, who works in a business next to one of the buildings.

Neighborhood visitor Tony Hayne says the message is "better than all the gang stuff. I'd rather see this."

Cleveland Public Library Director Felton Thomas says, "I love the message. But I don't like how the message is being put out."

Thomas says library officials must do a better job of spreading the "Read" message so it's not necessary to get help from a graffiti artist.

Cleveland State Associate Professor Evan Lieberman studies culture and media.

"I don't think it's someone who hate computers or a technophobe. It's someone with a sense of humor and a socially useful message," he said.

And if it's someone trying to connect with young people, Lieberman believes that graffiti is a better medium than a canned campaign of billboards.

But many point out that the noble message is still damaging buildings and contributing to neighborhood blight.

Activist Henry Senyak says, "I wish they would work with a business and do this in a way that benefits the community."

Building owner Eric Schreiber says, "I'm ashamed. People ask me all the time 'when are you going to paint over your building?' It's my property. They have no business doing this."

Similar graffiti has shown up in San Francisco, New York and New Orleans.

There are different opinions if it's the work of one person, a network or copy cats.

In graffiti circles, there is much discussion of the "The Reader" or "Mr. Book."

Police say this is a crime and they will throw the book at the culprit or culprits if the catch them.