History

As we look to the future to consider how to best revitalize our neighborhood branches and continue serving the Cleveland community, we can’t forget our past. In this space, we’ll share some stories and photographs from the Library’s nearly 150-year history. From our beginnings in a single room with fewer than 6,000 books in 1869 to today’s Main Library campus and 27 branches (and beyond) with millions of books and other resources, Cleveland Public Library has come a long way. Join us as we take a look back at our history through photographs, research, memories, and more—all of which are provided by the Cleveland Public Library Archives.

Cleveland Public Library’s motto of “Books, Information, Service” was particularly fitting as the Library was very much engaged in the war effort over the years, providing books to our service members and even sending library staff to serve overseas. During WWI, the United States government asked the American Library Association to set up libraries for troops in 32 military camps….

William Fitch Smyth was the evening attendant in the General Reference Division at Cleveland Public Library beginning January 22, 1904. Mr. Smyth was recruited to work at the library by none other than William H. Brett, Head Librarian. His starting salary was .50 cents per evening. Mr. Smyth worked part-time, including Sundays and holidays until March 22, 1940. His father…

Enjoy a slideshow through time and watch the evolution of Cleveland Public Library’s cutting edge use of technology. From typewritten cataloging and “high-tech” electric erasers at the beginning of the 20th Century to the first computerized online Library Catalog in the 1980s. [slideshow_deploy id=’11603′]