About
The Carnegie West Branch is located in the heart of Ohio City in Frank Novak Park. Thanks to a unique relationship with the City of Cleveland, Carnegie West is positioned within the grounds of this city park to better serve patrons in the thriving Ohio City community. Carnegie West may be accessed by RTA bus routes 79 and 79A, as well as the W. 25th–Ohio City Rapid Station. The branch does not have a dedicated parking lot, but free, on-street parking is available.
Carnegie West offers free wifi, public computers with Internet access (21 in the adult area, six in the children’s area), and a 3D printer. Regular printing, copying, scanning, and faxing services are available for a fee. Carnegie West offers one large meeting room that seats up to 50, a medium meeting room that seats up to 12, and two small meeting rooms that seat four to six patrons. The small meeting rooms may accommodate walk-ins on a first-come, first-served basis.
History & Architecture
At 25,000 square feet, Carnegie West is Cleveland Public Library’s largest branch. Carnegie West opened in 1910 and was designed by Edward Tilton, the architect who designed four buildings for the U.S. Immigration Station on Ellis Island in New York. Carnegie West’s architecture can be described as modified Renaissance with elements of classical style. The building’s principal materials of brick and terra cotta provide a contrast of texture and color. Carnegie West was completely remodeled in 1979.
Special Features
- Fine art is on display throughout Carnegie West. The interior features plaster bas reliefs of Thorwaldsen’s Triumphal Entry of Alexander the Great into Babylon and parts of the Parthenon frieze. Notably, the medium-sized conference room features a beautiful Rookwood tile mural (1910). Read more about the Rookwood tile from the Tile Heritage.
- The children’s room features a farmer’s market play space complete with a planting field, a farmer truck, a chicken coop; a farm-inspired story room; and a deluxe Lego table that seats four and features six drawers full of Legos and Magformers. The children’s area also includes two educational computers.
- Carnegie West features an eminently browsable and organized collection of adult fiction and nonfiction, as well as excellent children’s books.
- This library is one of four Cleveland Public Library branches to offer a book cart sale. The book cart is a permanent fixture that offers books and DVDs for sale at prices set by Friends of the Cleveland Public Library.
Events and Exhibitions
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Thursday, October 3 | 10 am
FamilySpace
Carnegie West
Families with children ages 0 to 5 are invited to play, learn and grow together at the library! FamilySpace is a special play area with dedicated staff, connecting you to resources in the community.
Ask about how you can join the Family Advisory Committee for FamilySpace at the Carnegie West Branch! Share your ideas about FamilySpace programs, services and develop leadership skills. For more information, call 216-623-6927.
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Thursday, October 3 | 10:30 am
Brain Teasers for Adults
Carnegie West
Give your brain a workout by solving a brain teaser.
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Thursday, October 3 | 4 pm
Makerlabs: Making Tunes: Virtual Rock Band
Carnegie West
Use Apple’s GarageBand to create your own sounds and melodies. Learn how to create your own virtual rock band.
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Friday, October 4 | 11 am
Mapping the Past: Exploring Northeast Ohio History
Carnegie West
Cleveland Public Library has over 50,000 maps and 3,000 historic atlases. Join the Map Collection Librarian to learn more about this invaluable local resource while viewing a collection of maps detailing the history of Northeast Ohio throughout from the 16th century to the 20th century.
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Saturday, October 5 | 11 am
Beginner Fiber Arts (1st 3-week session)
Carnegie West
Using fibers, natural materials, and fabrics students will create unique works of art. Many techniques, such as weaving, fabric printing, collage, and painting, will be explored with an Art House, Inc. teaching artist. This is an opportunity to create and learn about fiber art in a supportive environment! 3 week session.
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Tuesday, October 8 | 10:30 am
Craft Time
Carnegie West
Get creative with our arts and crafts, available every Tuesday morning.
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Tuesday, October 8 | 3 pm
FamilySpace
Carnegie West
Families with children ages 0 to 5 are invited to play, learn and grow together at the library! FamilySpace is a special play area with dedicated staff, connecting you to resources in the community.
Ask about how you can join the Family Advisory Committee for FamilySpace at the Carnegie West Branch! Share your ideas about FamilySpace programs, services, and develop leadership skills. For more information, call (216) 623-6927.
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Wednesday, October 9 | 10 am
FamilySpace
Carnegie West
Families with children ages 0 to 5 are invited to play, learn and grow together at the library! FamilySpace is a special play area with dedicated staff, connecting you to resources in the community.
Ask about how you can join the Family Advisory Committee for FamilySpace at the Carnegie West Branch! Share your ideas about FamilySpace programs, services and develop leadership skills. For more information, call 216-623-6927.
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Wednesday, October 9 | 10:30 am
Preschool Storytime
Carnegie West
Storytimes for preschoolers ages 3 to 5 include stories, songs, activities, and rhymes specially designed to support reading readiness and foster the social and emotional skills that kids need to succeed as they enter Kindergarten.
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Wednesday, October 9 | 4 pm
Cuyahoga Reads: Coding for Kids (grades 4 – 12)
Carnegie West
Explore the basic steps to coding using technology, bots, and more.
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Thursday, October 10 | 10 am
FamilySpace
Carnegie West
Families with children ages 0 to 5 are invited to play, learn and grow together at the library! FamilySpace is a special play area with dedicated staff, connecting you to resources in the community.
Ask about how you can join the Family Advisory Committee for FamilySpace at the Carnegie West Branch! Share your ideas about FamilySpace programs, services and develop leadership skills. For more information, call 216-623-6927.
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Thursday, October 10 | 10:30 am
Brain Teasers for Adults
Carnegie West
Give your brain a workout by solving a brain teaser.
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Friday, October 11 | 10 am
0 to 3: Read To Me Playdate!
Carnegie West
Building your child’s brain is as simple as reading, singing, playing and talking! Join us as we read engaging books and sing lively songs with plenty of time for playing and talking! For children ages 0 to 3 (36 months) and a caring adult. Siblings welcome. Giveaways! Questions? Call 216-623-7011. This program is made possible by a generous grant from The Bruening Foundation.
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Friday, October 11 | 3 pm
Harry Potter Party
Carnegie West
Celebrate Harry Potter as Carnegie West is transformed into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! Dress up as your favorite character and join us for crafts, potions, puzzles, snacks, and trivia.
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Saturday, October 12 | 11 am
Beginner Fiber Arts (2nd 3-week session)
Carnegie West
Using fibers, natural materials, and fabrics students will create unique works of art. Many techniques, such as weaving, fabric printing, collage, and painting, will be explored with an Art House, Inc. teaching artist. This is an opportunity to create and learn about fiber art in a supportive environment! 3 week session.
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Tuesday, October 15 | 10:30 am
Craft Time
Carnegie West
Get creative with our arts and crafts, available every Tuesday morning.
-
Tuesday, October 15 | 3 pm
FamilySpace
Carnegie West
Families with children ages 0 to 5 are invited to play, learn and grow together at the library! FamilySpace is a special play area with dedicated staff, connecting you to resources in the community.
Ask about how you can join the Family Advisory Committee for FamilySpace at the Carnegie West Branch! Share your ideas about FamilySpace programs, services, and develop leadership skills. For more information, call (216) 623-6927.
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Wednesday, October 16 | 10 am
FamilySpace
Carnegie West
Families with children ages 0 to 5 are invited to play, learn and grow together at the library! FamilySpace is a special play area with dedicated staff, connecting you to resources in the community.
Ask about how you can join the Family Advisory Committee for FamilySpace at the Carnegie West Branch! Share your ideas about FamilySpace programs, services and develop leadership skills. For more information, call 216-623-6927.
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Thursday, October 17 | 10 am
FamilySpace
Carnegie West
Families with children ages 0 to 5 are invited to play, learn and grow together at the library! FamilySpace is a special play area with dedicated staff, connecting you to resources in the community.
Ask about how you can join the Family Advisory Committee for FamilySpace at the Carnegie West Branch! Share your ideas about FamilySpace programs, services and develop leadership skills. For more information, call 216-623-6927.
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Thursday, October 17 | 10:30 am
Brain Teasers for Adults
Carnegie West
Give your brain a workout by solving a brain teaser.