About
The Langston Hughes Branch is located minutes from the main campuses of the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospital, the Western Reserve Historical Society, the VA Medical Center-Louis Stokes, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and Case Western Reserve University. The branch offers free wifi and public computers with Internet access. Printing, copying, scanning, and faxing services are available for a fee. Parking is free in the lot located next to the library bordering Superior Avenue.
History & Architecture
The Langston Hughes Branch opened in 1998. The facility includes 8,370 square feet designed by R.P. Madison International. The exterior is composed of red brick with horizontal bands of white brick. The interior is has a long rectangular reading room, a circular meeting room topped by windows, and a curved ceiling vault with clerestory windows.
Special Features
- The Langston Hughes Branch has a special collection of original documents written by the author Langston Hughes. These documents include a letter to Cleveland Public Library, photos, and literature by and about Hughes.
- An Ohio Historical Marker, which can be found at the northwest exterior corner of the library, honors the life and legacy of Langston Hughes.
- The branch also displays artifacts including an autographed copy of Langston Hughes’s 1920 Central High School yearbook and hardware from Hughes’s former residence on East 86th
- An outdoor tile mosaic by Malcolm Brown from 1998, The Jazz Messengers, adorns this branch.
Events and Exhibitions
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Thursday, October 10 | 5 pm
Chess for Fun
Langston Hughes
Learn how to strategize and play the game of Chess. -
Friday, October 11 | 11 am
Fall Used Book Sale
Langston Hughes
Gently used books, DVDs, Blurays, CDs for adults, kids, and teens at prices that will make everyone smile. Proceeds benefit The Cleveland Public Library Foundation which helps to support and expand collections, services, and programs at the Cleveland Public Library.
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Saturday, October 12 | 11 am
Fall Used Book Sale
Langston Hughes
Gently used books, DVDs, Blurays, CDs for adults, kids, and teens at prices that will make everyone smile. Proceeds benefit The Cleveland Public Library Foundation which helps to support and expand collections, services, and programs at the Cleveland Public Library.
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Tuesday, October 15 | 4 pm
Books that Go Bump in the Night
Langston Hughes
Tired of the limitations of flat pages? Learn the basics behind pop-up books, then make your own, perhaps inspired by the upcoming holiday.
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Thursday, October 17 | 4:30 pm
Poetry in Motion
Langston Hughes
Express yourself through poetry and show off your talent.
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Saturday, October 19 | 3 pm
My Digital Life: Internet Basics
Langston Hughes
TechCentral approved. Descriptions currently being updated.
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Tuesday, October 22 | 1 pm
My Digital Life: CPL & My Device
Langston Hughes
TechCentral approved. Descriptions currently being updated.
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Saturday, October 26 | 2 pm
Motown Trivia!
Online Event presented by Langston Hughes
Listen to the Motown sounds of the 60s and early 70s as we play Motown trivia!
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Saturday, October 26 | 4 pm
Chess for Fun
Langston Hughes
Learn how to strategize and play the game of Chess. -
Tuesday, October 29 | 4 pm
Characters and Costumes
Langston Hughes
What’s the craziest costume you can think of for Halloween? Join us as we explore picture books illustrating the possibilities. We’ll use these as inspiration for illustrations of our own Halloween stories.
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Saturday, November 2 | 11 am
Considering Home Ownership
Langston Hughes
PNC explains the home-buying process and proivdes information about borrowing against your home for pre-home buyers and homeowners.
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Saturday, November 2 | 3 pm
My Digital Life: Email Basics
Langston Hughes
TechCentral approved. Descriptions currently being updated.
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Tuesday, November 5 | 4 pm
Leaves in the Wind
Online Event presented by Langston Hughes
What do you see in the fall leaves? Lois Ehlert shows a particularly fantastical view of the possibilities in “Leaf Man”. We’ll use this as inspiration for illustrations of our own fall stories.
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Thursday, November 7 | 4:30 pm
Poetry in Motion
Langston Hughes
Express yourself through poetry and show off your talent.