Home Collection Highlights Here’s What the Original Main Library of Cleveland Public Library Looked Like before 1925

Here’s What the Original Main Library of Cleveland Public Library Looked Like before 1925

​In 1924, when this photograph was taken, Main Library was located on the fifth and sixth floors of the Kinney & Levan Building on Euclid Avenue at East 14th Street. The building, built in 1913, was home to the Kinney & Levan Co., which was one of the largest home furnishings stores of its time; today it is occupied by the Idea Center at Playhouse Square. Like Main Library, the Kinney & Levan Building was designed by the Cleveland architectural firm Walker & Weeks.

Book display Title reads: Your Health ! Some Library books that will help you to keep well. Cleveland Public Library Books Information Service

Here’s a view of the Catalog Department in the Kinney & Levan Building in 1913, courtesy of the Digital Gallery:

1913 Catalog Department. Workers sitting at desks in a large room with shelves of books around the parameter.

Here’s a view of Librarian William Howard Brett (1864-1918) at work in his office in around 1914, courtesy of the Digital Gallery:

Here’s an image of the vast interior, with numerous patrons and tall bookshelves, from around 1915, courtesy of the Digital Gallery:

Long room filled with shelved books, along the sides and a filled with patrons sitting at desks reading

Finally, here is an image of a few staff members preparing for the Library’s move to Superior Avenue, taken in around 1925, courtesy of the Digital Gallery

an image of a three staff members preparing for the Library's move to Superior Avenue, taken in around 1925. Three men carrying large bins of books

Best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year from the Archives!