Contact
850 Jefferson Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: 216-623-7004
Email: Jefferson.Branch@cpl.org
Manager:
Campus Hours
Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: CLOSED
About
The Jefferson Campus is located in the heart of the Tremont neighborhood. The building has three meeting rooms available for public use. The largest meeting room can accommodate up to 39 people and the two smaller meeting rooms can fit groups of 4. Please contact the campus for more information about reserving the meeting rooms. Jefferson offers free Wi-Fi, public computers with Internet access, and Chromebook laptops for in-library use. Printing and copying services are available for a fee. Free parking is available in the lot next to the library, Jefferson’s book drop is open 24 hours.
History & Architecture
Renowned Cleveland architect and artist Ora Coltman worked for Cleveland Public Library as a supervising architect and building inspector who oversaw the construction of three branch libraries, including Jefferson. In 1918, Jefferson opened its doors in the neighborhood of Tremont. The 6,900-square-foot branch was updated in 1981.
Jefferson Campus was renovated in 2021-2022 by Williams Architects and Wanix Architects who kept the historic Carnegie Library charm of the branch while expanding capacity. The Jefferson Campus welcomed back patrons on October 15, 2022.
Special Features
- Gaming options, such as Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Wii, are available after school. Call for details and availability.
- Book lockers located in our vestibule remain open after-hours, allowing patrons’ access to pick up their holds. Please call for more information.
- A laptop bar.
- On the campus grounds, patrons may enjoy Jefferson’s bioswale.
- Community outreach for adults and children, as well as partnerships with schools, are top priorities at the Jefferson Campus.
- Two noteworthy pieces of art may be found at the Jefferson Branch. Ambrozi Paliwoda’s mural Out of the Past, the Present; Out of the Material, the Spiritual, oil on canvas, 1933-1934, depicts the movement of immigrants from their native lands into the industrial workforce of America. Paliwoda lived in the Tremont neighborhood and, as a student, worked as a page at the Jefferson Branch. The mural was reinstalled at Jefferson in 2000 following conservation. Finally, the painting Little Russia, Cleveland (View of Tremont From the Clark Ave. Bridge), oil on canvas, 1920, was gifted to Jefferson Branch by its architect, the celebrated Cleveland artist Ora Coltman.
Events
Everything Anime
Jefferson Thursday, October 05 | 4 pmExplore and enjoy everything anime and manga from the world of print, video, and gaming.
0 to 3: Read to Me Playdates
Jefferson Friday, October 06 | 10:30 amBuilding 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 216-623-7004. These programs are made possible by a generous grant from The Bruening Foundation.
Register and browse a complete listing of upcoming 0 to 3: Read to Me programs at cpl.org/kids-teens/kindergarten-readiness/0-to-3-read-to-me/
Once Upon a Story
Jefferson Saturday, October 07 | 11 amJoin us for a story hour for all ages. Stories, crafts, songs and more to celebrate the tales that delight all of us.
Acrylic Painting For Beginners
Jefferson Saturday, October 07 | 2 pmExplore the basics of acrylic painting in a fun, lightly-facilitated atmosphere.Each session stands alone so you can register for one session or join us every week.
All supplies will be provided. Need more information? Call 216-623-7004 or email jefferson.branch@cpl.org.
Making Paracord Survival Bands
Jefferson Monday, October 09 | 4:30 pmParachute cord, or Paracord, is a strong yet thin and lightweight material in which one strand can hold nearly 550 pounds! Paracord is not just used as a parachute line but also as lightweight material in survival bands, belts, and more. Learn how to create a paracord survival band using this solid yet light material.
Tremont Think and Drink Book Club
Jefferson Monday, October 09 | 7 pmJoin us for an engaging book discussion while enjoying your favorite beverage at Lincoln Park Pub, 2609 W 14th St, Cleveland, OH 44113. We will discuss the following great reads:
September 11, 2023: Starry Messenger: Cosmic Perspectives on Civilization by Neil deGrasse Tyson
October 9, 2023: The Sun is a Compass: A 4,000-mile Journey Into the Alaskan Wilds by Caroline Van Hemert
November 13, 2023: We Gather Together: A Nation Divided, a President in Turmoil, and a Historic Campaign to Embrace Gratitude and Grace by Denise Kiernan
Beginning American Sign Language
Jefferson Tuesday, October 10 | 5 pmThis FREE 8-week workshop for adults will offer basic vocabulary and basic conversational interaction skills in American Sign Language. The workshop will be taught by an ASL instructor and voiced off. PowerPoints will be emailed before each workshop to allow you to prepare. Registration opens on August 8, 2023.
Robotics: Building and Coding for the Win
Jefferson Thursday, October 12 | 4:30 pmDrop in every other week to build robots, then code them using block-coding. See whose is the best…then make yours better.
0 to 3: Read to Me Playdates
Jefferson Friday, October 13 | 10:30 amBuilding 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 216-623-7004. These programs are made possible by a generous grant from The Bruening Foundation.
Register and browse a complete listing of upcoming 0 to 3: Read to Me programs at cpl.org/kids-teens/kindergarten-readiness/0-to-3-read-to-me/
Walkabout Tremont : Trick or Treat, Arts for Eats
Jefferson Friday, October 13 | 5 pmWalkabout Tremont will be celebrating neighborhood tricks and treats. Stop in and create a treat bag to get you through the season.
Once Upon a Story
Jefferson Saturday, October 14 | 11 amJoin us for a story hour for all ages. Stories, crafts, songs and more to celebrate the tales that delight all of us.
Cookbook Club
Jefferson Monday, October 16 | 5 pmCalling all foodies: come dish about your favorite recipes, cooking techniques, and cookbooks, then browse our collection for more of the latest and greatest cookbooks.
Beginning American Sign Language
Jefferson Tuesday, October 17 | 5 pmThis FREE 8-week workshop for adults will offer basic vocabulary and basic conversational interaction skills in American Sign Language. The workshop will be taught by an ASL instructor and voiced off. PowerPoints will be emailed before each workshop to allow you to prepare. Registration opens on August 8, 2023.
Everything Anime
Jefferson Thursday, October 19 | 4 pmExplore and enjoy everything anime and manga from the world of print, video, and gaming.
0 to 3: Read to Me Playdates
Jefferson Friday, October 20 | 10:30 amBuilding 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 216-623-7004. These programs are made possible by a generous grant from The Bruening Foundation.
Register and browse a complete listing of upcoming 0 to 3: Read to Me programs at cpl.org/kids-teens/kindergarten-readiness/0-to-3-read-to-me/
Once Upon a Story
Jefferson Saturday, October 21 | 11 amJoin us for a story hour for all ages. Stories, crafts, songs and more to celebrate the tales that delight all of us.
Beginning American Sign Language
Jefferson Tuesday, October 24 | 5 pmThis FREE 8-week workshop for adults will offer basic vocabulary and basic conversational interaction skills in American Sign Language. The workshop will be taught by an ASL instructor and voiced off. PowerPoints will be emailed before each workshop to allow you to prepare. Registration opens on August 8, 2023.
Robotics: Building and Coding for the Win
Jefferson Thursday, October 26 | 4:30 pmDrop in every other week to build robots, then code them using block-coding. See whose is the best…then make yours better.
0 to 3: Read to Me Playdates
Jefferson Friday, October 27 | 10:30 amBuilding 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 216-623-7004. These programs are made possible by a generous grant from The Bruening Foundation.
Register and browse a complete listing of upcoming 0 to 3: Read to Me programs at cpl.org/kids-teens/kindergarten-readiness/0-to-3-read-to-me/
Once Upon a Story
Jefferson Saturday, October 28 | 11 amJoin us for a story hour for all ages. Stories, crafts, songs and more to celebrate the tales that delight all of us.