Main Library
325 Superior Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44114
Louis Stokes Wing
525 Superior Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44114
Phone: (216) 623-2800
Fax: (216) 623-7015
Email: information@cpl.org
Manager: Robin Wood (Senior Director of Public Services – Main Library)
There are on-street parking meters available on East 6th between St. Clair and Superior (including designated handicapped spaces) and nearby paid parking garages.
Library Hours
| Day of the Week | Hours |
| Monday – Saturday | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. |
| Sunday | Closed |
Drive-Up Window
| Day of the Week | Hours |
| Monday – Friday | 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. |
| Saturday | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. |
| Sunday | Closed |
Cleveland Public Library offers full service at the drive-up window located at the rear of the Louis Stokes Wing on Rockwell Avenue, just west of East 6th Street.
Use the drive-up window to check out and return books, magazines, and audio/video recordings–even to sign up for a library card! You can have books and other materials sent to the drive-up window for pick-up by selecting “CLEVELAND Main Drive-Up Window” when placing a reserve in the Library’s online catalog. Otherwise, patrons may phone ahead to any of the Main Library subject departments and request that library materials be sent to the drive-up window (please allot enough time for library staff to bring your materials to the drive-up window).
History
The Main Library in downtown Cleveland consists of the historic Main Library Building built in 1925 and renovated in 1999; the Louis Stokes Wing completed in 1997; and the Eastman Reading Garden located between the two buildings. The two buildings and the garden take up an entire city block on Superior Avenue between East 3rd Street and East 6th Street. The Main Library’s Subject Departments are divided between the two buildings.
Cleveland Public Library first opened as a “Public School Library” for the Cleveland Board of Education in 1869. It was the first large public library to allow people to select their own books directly from its bookshelves. For 56 years, the Library was in a series of temporary and rented spaces. In 1925, Main Library opened to the public in a new building designed by the Cleveland architectural firm of Walker & Weeks. The new Main Library proved to be immensely popular: The original estimate of 5,000 daily users was soon eclipsed; by the early 1930s, more than 12,000 individuals walked through the doors every day.
By the 1950s, the Main Library’s collection had tripled in size and the Library was short on space. In November 1957, voters approved a $3 million bond issue for the Library to purchase and renovate the six-story building that was the former location of The Plain Dealer.
The succeeding decades were difficult times for both Cleveland and its public library system. Increased migration to the suburbs led to a decline in the city’s population and resources. During this time, circulation at the Main Library and its neighborhood branches declined dramatically; from a high of 10,374,652 in 1932 to 3,402,050 in 1970. Funds for the purchase of new books and materials, as well as for the maintenance of library buildings decreased.
The last quarter of the 20th century has seen dramatic improvements in the Library’s fortunes. Due to the vision and perseverance of key staff and influential directors, the Library not only reversed its downward trend but became strongly positioned to meet the challenges of the 21st century. In 1975, the library built and renovated neighborhood branches while streamlining the Library’s operations. By 1981, the card catalog was fully computerized.
By the late 1980s, after the Library had completed the renovation of its neighborhood branches, attention turned to the Main Library downtown, where outmoded mechanical and electrical systems were posing a hazard to the public, the staff, and the collections. In November 1991, by a 71% majority, voters approved a $90 million bond issue to go forward with a plan for collection preservation, new technology, and renovation.
An entirely new downtown building was dedicated on April 12, 1997. With eleven floors, including the lower level, the new 267,000-square-foot building has more than 30 miles of bookshelves–enough for 1.3 million books and is equipped with the latest electronic resources. The new building is named for Cleveland native Louis Stokes, who, in 1968, became the first African-American elected to the U.S. Congress from Ohio. During his illustrious career, Representative Stokes helped found the Congressional Black Caucus, and he became the first black member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. He was re-elected fourteen times before retiring in 1998.
The $24 million renovations of the landmark Main Building called for a sensitivity to the building’s architectural integrity while incorporating new technologies. Electrical, plumbing, and ventilation systems were replaced. Modern fire safety systems, including sprinklers, were installed, and trenches were cut into the cement floors to accommodate wiring for new computer and electrical equipment. New mechanical machinery was placed out of sight in the basement, returning its court to an uncluttered and light-filled state. As part of the architects’ goal of returning the building to its original luster, historic ceiling finishes were restored, the exterior marble was cleaned, historical light fixtures were restored and rewired, decorative metalwork was repaired and polished, and the original leather doors were rejuvenated. For the first time in decades, the Main Building’s historic spaces and architectural details can be fully appreciated, while featuring many technological advances and conveniences.
Demonstrating the Library’s continuing support for the visual arts, the Library Board commissioned a substantial collection of permanent art to be included in the buildings and garden. Thirteen artists of local and national reputation created original art for the Main Library, the Louis Stokes Wing and the Eastman Reading Garden. Selected by a jury coordinated with the Committee for Public Art, the artworks are significant additions to the Library’s and the city’s artistic heritage. The new art at the Main Library was made possible largely by generous grants from Cleveland foundations, corporations, and nonprofit groups.
Today, the Cleveland Public Library circulates one of the largest and most extensive collections in the country, boasting close to ten million items.
Upcoming events
Job Searching and Resume Workshop
Main Library (Downtown), 2nd Floor – Conference C Friday, November 10 | 3:30 pmTechCentral’s MakerMonday 3D Printing Cookie Cutters
Main Library (Downtown), 2nd Floor – Conference C Monday, November 13 | 11 amJoin TechCentral's Makers as we explore using the equipment in MakerSpace to create some cool projects. Patrons will meet in a classroom for a focused lesson on using the featured equipment. These focused projects will guide you through selecting, designing, and making our themed project for the day.
This class will be looking at different resources to find cookie cutters. We do not have a recommendation to design a personalized cookie cutter.
Patrons will participate in the event’s activities and complete the designated project. Please note that 3D printing projects require that objects be printed and picked up later.
The class size is limited to 10 individuals, and registration is required due to limited materials.
Preschool Storytime (ages 3 – 5)
Main Library (Downtown), 4th Floor – Room 477 – Storytime Room Tuesday, November 14 | 10:30 amStory times 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.
Microsoft Excel Series
Main Library (Downtown), 2nd Floor – Conference C Tuesday, November 14 | 3 pmIf you have any questions, please contact the TechCentral department at 216-623-2980 Mon- Sat 10:00am-6:00pm.
Microsoft Excel 2010 I
Learn how to enter and edit data and perform simple tasks.
Microsoft Excel 2010 II
Learn to format and change the appearance of data and your worksheets; use sorting & filtering and find & replace
Microsoft Excel 2010 III
Learn how to create calculations in your worksheet.
Microsoft Excel 2010 IV
Learn how to create charts based on your data.
My Digital Life: Email Basics
Main Library (Downtown), 2nd Floor – Conference C Wednesday, November 15 | 11 amEmail is becoming more popular than regular mail, which is unsurprising. Email is quick and easy contact on your phone, or your computer is fast and easy. Join our class as our virtual student learns how to set up her email and make it easier to manage her inbox.
Fun with Clay
Main Library (Downtown), 4th Floor – Room 458 – Artlab Wednesday, November 15 | 2:30 pmTap into your creativity and make your own miniatures with air-dry clay.
CorelDraw Design Workshop
Main Library (Downtown), 2nd Floor – Conference C Friday, November 17 | 3:30 pmGenealogy Clinic
Main Library (Downtown), 6th Floor – Center for Local and Global History Saturday, November 18 | 10:30 amGenealogy Clinics are informal sessions during which you can receive help from expert volunteers and Library staff. For beginners: volunteers provide informal instruction in starting your family history/genealogy. For more advanced researchers: volunteers draw on their extensive experience to help you answer your genealogy questions and to help you find strategies to move your research forward.
Beginners should plan to arrive by 10:45 to take advantage of the group instruction for beginners. All others can arrive at any time between 10:30am and 1:30pm.
Please contact the Center for Local and Global History at 216-623-2864 or clgh@cpl.org with any questions.
My Digital Life: Email Essentials
Main Library (Downtown), 2nd Floor – Conference C Saturday, November 18 | 11 amSetting up an email is an important task to begin your digital life. Your email is the start of your digital identity and begin communicating online. Join our class as our virtual student sets up her email and starts to build her digital life.
National Novel Writing Month: Come Write In
Main Library (Downtown), 2nd Floor – Literature Department Saturday, November 18 | 12:30 pmJoin the Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library for a 90-minute writing session. Work on your novel in a quiet, supportive and safe environment. Take advantage of a curated selection of books and prompts and, if you like, share your projects and get feedback from fellow writers at the end of each session.
Turkey Trot & Craft
Main Library (Downtown), 4th Floor – Room 477 – Storytime Room Saturday, November 18 | 2 pmCome get your wiggles out by participating in our fun turkey trot activities that will emphasize movement & play! Afterwards, relax with a turkey themed craft!
Chinese Basic Conversations and Reading
Online Event presented by Main Library – Downtown Saturday, November 18 | 3 pmEnjoy a free, 50-minute course in reading Chinese and learning basic conversations
Library Bingo
Main Library (Downtown), 4th Floor – Room 477 – Storytime Room Saturday, November 18 | 4 pmNovember is International Games Month, and we’re celebrating with everyone’s favorite: Bingo!
Yoga Exercises
Online Event presented by Main Library – Downtown Saturday, November 18 | 4:10 pmEnjoy a free 50-minute Yoga exercise session. Call 216-623-2895 or email foreignlit@cpl.org for help in registering or for more information.
TechCentral’s Maker Monday Cricut Holiday Cards
Main Library (Downtown), 2nd Floor – Conference C Monday, November 20 | 11 amJoin TechCentral's Makers as we explore using the equipment in MakerSpace to create some cool projects. Patrons will meet in a classroom for a focused lesson on using the featured equipment. These focused projects will guide you through selecting, designing, and making our themed project for the day.
Patrons will participate in the event’s activities and complete the designated project. Please note that 3D printing projects require that objects be printed and picked up later.
The class size is limited to 10 individuals, and registration is required due to limited materials.
Preschool Storytime (ages 3 – 5)
Main Library (Downtown), 4th Floor – Room 477 – Storytime Room Tuesday, November 21 | 10:30 amStory times 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.
Microsoft Excel Series
Main Library (Downtown), 2nd Floor – Conference C Tuesday, November 21 | 3 pmIf you have any questions, please contact the TechCentral department at 216-623-2980 Mon- Sat 10:00am-6:00pm.
Microsoft Excel 2010 I
Learn how to enter and edit data and perform simple tasks.
Microsoft Excel 2010 II
Learn to format and change the appearance of data and your worksheets; use sorting & filtering and find & replace
Microsoft Excel 2010 III
Learn how to create calculations in your worksheet.
Microsoft Excel 2010 IV
Learn how to create charts based on your data.
My Digital Life: Online Scams
Main Library (Downtown), 2nd Floor – Conference C Wednesday, November 22 | 11 amThe Internet is a comprehensive and varied place where you can find so many things. Join our class as our virtual student gets a basic primer on how to spot common online scams and what to do if you get caught by accident.