Jefferson (Now Open!)

About

The Jefferson Branch is located in the heart of the Tremont neighborhood. Jefferson offers free wifi, public computers with Internet access, and a cell phone charging station. Printing, copying, scanning, and faxing services are available for a fee. Free parking is available in the lot next to the library, and a meeting room can seat up to 50 people in classroom style. Jefferson’s book drop is open 24 hours.

History & Architecture

Throughout its earlier history, Cleveland Public Library constructed some branch libraries in buildings that could be adapted into a store or business. These branches were located in neighborhoods where the population and library service needs fluctuated. Jefferson is an example of a convertible-type building as evidenced by the plain brick, its factory-type skylights, and the fact that it is semi-fireproof.

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.

Special Features

• On the branch grounds, patrons may enjoy Jefferson’s bioswale and reading area.
• Community outreach for adults and children, as well as partnerships with schools, are top priorities at Jefferson.
• 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

• Once Upon A Family Storytime

  Jefferson
  Saturday, December 03 | 11 am

   Join us in the newly re-imagined Jefferson Branch for a story time for all ages. Stories, crafts, songs and more to celebrate the tales that delight all of us.

• A Time To Build, A Time to Tear Down

  Jefferson
  Saturday, December 03 | 2 pm

  Build towering structures and unique objects with LEGO® Bricks, K'NEX® Building sets, and old fashioned blocks. Then, see how they all fall down.

• Everything Anime!

  Jefferson
  Monday, December 05 | 4:30 pm

  Explore and enjoy everything anime and manga from the world of print, video, and gaming.

• Don’t Be Bored, Let’s Board

  Jefferson
  Thursday, December 08 | 4:30 pm

  Join us to play board games such as chess, checkers, backgammon, and Othello for fun. Win bragging rights and prizes.

• Wee Read and Play Storytime (ages 18 months – 3 years)

  Jefferson
  Friday, December 09 | 10:30 am

  Continue to develop your toddler’s language and social skills: toddlers from 18 months to 3 years of age and their favorite adult are invited for stories, active songs, rhymes and time for play.

• Walkabout: Light Up Your Holidays

  Jefferson
  Friday, December 09 | 5 pm

  To prepare for Walkabout Tremont, stop at the Jefferson Branch to make your own holiday light.

• Once Upon A Family Storytime

  Jefferson
  Saturday, December 10 | 11 am

   Join us in the newly re-imagined Jefferson Branch for a story time for all ages. Stories, crafts, songs and more to celebrate the tales that delight all of us.

• You Need An Ugly Sweater

  Jefferson
  Saturday, December 10 | 2 pm

  Bring an old sweater to Jefferson and we will help you transform it into a vision of ugly holiday sweater glory. 

• Tremont Think and Drink Book Club

  Jefferson
  Monday, December 12 | 7 pm

  Join 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:

  December 12, 2022 Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks by Patrick Radden Keefe

  January 9, 2023 The Nineties: A Book by Chuck Klosterman

  February 13, 2023 The Trayvon Generation by Elizabeth Alexander

• Play with Pen and Paper!

  Jefferson
  Thursday, December 15 | 4:30 pm

  We will work with pen and paper to create word-based art.

• Wee Read and Play Storytime (ages 18 months – 3 years)

  Jefferson
  Friday, December 16 | 10:30 am

  Continue to develop your toddler’s language and social skills: toddlers from 18 months to 3 years of age and their favorite adult are invited for stories, active songs, rhymes and time for play.

• Once Upon A Family Storytime

  Jefferson
  Saturday, December 17 | 11 am

   Join us in the newly re-imagined Jefferson Branch for a story time for all ages. Stories, crafts, songs and more to celebrate the tales that delight all of us.

• Robotic Open Play

  Jefferson
  Monday, December 19 | 1:30 pm

  Drop in and take our robots for a spin. A variety of robots and robit building kits will be available. Come once or come all week and learn to build and code robots using block programming languages.

• Robotic Open Play

  Jefferson
  Tuesday, December 20 | 1:30 pm

  Drop in and take our robots for a spin. A variety of robots and robit building kits will be available. Come once or come all week and learn to build and code robots using block programming languages.

• Robotic Open Play

  Jefferson
  Wednesday, December 21 | 1:30 pm

  Drop in and take our robots for a spin. A variety of robots and robit building kits will be available. Come once or come all week and learn to build and code robots using block programming languages.

• Robotic Open Play

  Jefferson
  Thursday, December 22 | 1:30 pm

  Drop in and take our robots for a spin. A variety of robots and robit building kits will be available. Come once or come all week and learn to build and code robots using block programming languages.

• Wee Read and Play Storytime (ages 18 months – 3 years)

  Jefferson
  Friday, December 23 | 10:30 am

  Continue to develop your toddler’s language and social skills: toddlers from 18 months to 3 years of age and their favorite adult are invited for stories, active songs, rhymes and time for play.

• Robotic Open Play

  Jefferson
  Friday, December 23 | 1:30 pm

  Drop in and take our robots for a spin. A variety of robots and robit building kits will be available. Come once or come all week and learn to build and code robots using block programming languages.

• It’s a Karaoke Holiday

  Jefferson
  Friday, December 23 | 4:30 pm

  Stop by the branch to sing your favorite holiday songs.

• Wee Read and Play Storytime (ages 18 months – 3 years)

  Jefferson
  Friday, December 30 | 10:30 am

  Continue to develop your toddler’s language and social skills: toddlers from 18 months to 3 years of age and their favorite adult are invited for stories, active songs, rhymes and time for play.