Cleveland Public Library

OMG HI, this is a friendly PSA that the Cleveland Public Library exists, it’s ours, its beautiful, and a top urban treasure of the Cleveland community. It’s easy to forget you’re in Cleveland, as our library has a distinctly NYC classic vibe.
Really, when was the last time you were in here? Because if you haven’t been in a while, do yourself the service and wander in. The beautiful, historic architecture in the library is enough to stop you in your tracks. The sweeping ceilings, modern art again historic architecture and definitive lighting illuminate every floor. Also, every floor is totally different… if you’ve seen one floor, you’ve seen one floor.
CPL has standout collections in many departments, but for the sake of brevity, I’ll mention a couple of my favorites: international languages, popular movies/​music and fiction. The language section is particularly legit: they have current collections of magazines, books and pop culture broken up by country, and the language learning section is super plentiful. Seriously, I have never seen such a well stocked and LARGE collection of language DVDs, CDs, and computer programs, including Rosetta Stone. So if you’re like me and have been bad at keeping up with your German, get your butt to this floor immediately. No waiting on crazy long wait lists for these Rosetta Stones. Literally, its like a Christmas miracle.
Overall, don’t overlook the CPL if you need a place to do work, make a home office, or just want to read and write. They also have incredible programming such as creative writing courses, which I hope to attend someday. Even if you’re indoors, soak in the natural light that seeps through the windows and take advantage of their fantastic collections.

If you live in Cleveland and you have never been to the library downtown then you are really missing out! This place is amazing… anyway I try to explain it just won’t do it justice. You really have to physically visit it to appreciate its brilliance.

For an adult, this library is great. It’s enormous and you can spend hours just wandering around without even starting to look at the actual books.
As a parent of a small child, this library is one of the worst I’ve been to in NE Ohio. Not that it’s horrible, but the Cuyahoga County system libraries put this one to shame (from a kid’s perspective). Plus it’s a super huge pain to get to the play area with a stroller as you have to enter from the newer building (the older one has no ramp, just many steps), then take the elevator to the tunnel to get to the older building, then another elevator to get to the floor with the children’s area.
I’m not saying a library should cater to toddlers, or that it’s required to have a sweet play area. I’m just putting this out there so other parents have a heads up. Do not come here and expect your child to be entertained for more than 20 minutes. It will take you longer to get to the play area from the sidewalk than your child will be content to play there.

After living in Cleveland for a year, I finally found out that I live within walking distance of the library– WHAAAAT? YAH exactly.
I went a few days ago, signed up for my new card and couldn’t stop smiling for whatever reason. Maybe because I couldn’t wait to explore this beautiful place especially after reading other reviews. I went straight to the Social Sciences floor and was impressed to see all the new books they had as well as some older ones. Everything was neatly organized and there are many tables throughout to study or do work at, I love this kind of set-​up. The bottom floor, has a computer lab with many computers. I didn’t explore the rest as I spent an hour on the SS floor alone, but I will be spending a lot of winter time in here.
Anyway, I borrowed two books and one of them is AHMAZING and I’m currently hooked on it (Yoga Bitch) — must read if you’re on the hunt for your next book.
Friendly and helpful employees.
PS: FREE WIFI :)

We just moved to Cleveland and journeyed to the downtown library for the first time. The building is beautiful and extremely well maintained. The layout of both buildings is very unique. The overall atmosphere was peaceful– I like how the computer lab and the quieter book areas are separated to ensure quiet areas. Even though it was very quiet, we were greeted by staff in every section that we entered, which just added to the pleasantry of our experience. I couldn’t believe how many books, videos, magazines, etc. there were and I can’t wait to spend some cold winters there. VERY impressed.

First time I have been to Cleveland. I was wandering off and exploring when I came to the Cleveland Public Library. I have been to numerous libraries in New York and all of them were minuscule compared to this library. It felt humongous and the reading room looked like a church. Would come back to read more!

Probably I should give 10 stars. But I can’t. So it has to be five. Just when you thought all is lost and you realize you are living in an absolute hell hole where the general intelligence is still not sufficient enough to understand a simple behavior such as merging to the next car on a very busy and fast road (that could be i.e. Superior) with regular construction on it and you are being bullied and cursed and honked at because you refuse to die for the sake of the guy (or girl, sadly no difference!) racing down the road next to you, the Gods pick you up and swipe you in a wave of their endless mercy and compassion to this wonderful institution.
With some extra mercy on the side you will even find a parking spot.
You enter, and all despair about frequent sky-​rocketing stupidity along your way is forgotten. You are safe (for time being). Only make sure to keep your wallet on you.
Where to start to describe this? The building itself is magnificent and makes you think what a wonderful place this town COULD be, if people WOULD use the incredible sites that were placed in this city about a 100 years ago and that are mainly empty right now, whilst the majority of people is making googly eyes over the newest coffee temple in the suburbs.
Even just walking around in here has a positive therapeutic effect.
And then the books, you can find books on anything, things so hip and smart and interesting that you didn’t even realize they existed, or if you did once you may have forgotten, as you spent already way too much time in the mistake by the lake.
The Cleveland library system stands in the most curious contrast to the rest the city has to offer, and is one of the best I have ever seen anywhere. Odd, but most welcome.
In fact, on my list of ‘the most amazing things Cleveland can give you’ it occupies an otherwise very lonely top.
Go see it!

What a beautiful space. I attempted to escape the harsh snowstorm last week while attending a conference at the convention center, and was pleasantly surprised by the jaw dropping beauty and design of the interior. A great place to sit and work for a bit while enjoying the historic and serene allure. I wish my own home town’s library was this great.

I can’t say enough good things about the CLP Main Library!
To give some context to my personal discovery of CPL Main Library over the last year — I’m someone who somewhere along the way forgot that libraries exist, and have gotten used to ordering books (that I’ll only read once (if that)) on Amazon. It just didn’t register in my brain that there is a massive building right around the corner from me chock full of free books, DVDs, and Audiobooks. I mean…
First and foremost, I have been able to find pretty much any item I’ve wanted in their immense collection. How’s this for random: my mission was to get the new Chelsea Handler book, a new book on roller coasters, and Sofia Coppola’s «Somewhere.» Got them all, and was in and out in about 15 minutes.
Also, the library feels truly dedicated to promoting education and openness through community outreach. Going to the library at any given time, you are bound to come across some sort of free (quality) event — whether it be a jazz concert, movie screening, or poetry reading.
CPL’s integration with online resources is incredibly useful. The detailed, user friendly online catalog allows you to do research at home, and then zip in and out of the library if you’re in a pinch for time.
Also, of course, the building itself is beautiful.
Basically, the CPL Mail Library has reminded me that libraries exist in general, and that they are a valuable resource that helps me feel connected to the community, and, one that gets me access to free stuff :)

I use the drive thru window most of the time. I love it because they are open earlier and later than the regular library. I get exactly what I need in minutes!

«There is no Dana. Only Zuul!»
Ghostbusters was a great movie that showed viewers that a library can be a fun and exciting place. The portal that is opened in the movie is a metaphor for the opening of the pineal gland or 3^rd eye for those into Hieroglyphics. I saw Rza speak last Friday at CPL. He gave out 300 copies of «The Tao of Wu». I had a great time and will always remember this experience. At least until dementia hits. It has been a few years since I have been back to the lie-​berry. My friend commented how he remembered a field trip to CPL and he saw the world’s smallest book. I guess they did this on all field trips. There are so many great programs and I am so thankful to the CPL and Rza for bringing me back down. I forgot about how great of a community resource we have in the library.

This is my favorite place to go downtown. It is truly a gem from another era. Marble everywhere! It’s like a knowledge palace– I love it. They just have so much there. I’m really into foreign languages and literature and I was astonished by how much CLP has. Shelves after shelves after shelves of Russian literature! There are nice quiet places to go with a book or to just get out of the house and work on something. The Louis Stokes wing also has great selection of popular movies, foreign films, any kind of cinematic experience you’re looking for. The little courtyard/​garden in the middle is also a charming place to read, eat your lunch, or just take a little break during a nice day downtown. It’s sad though that I bet the majority of Clevelanders have never been here. We need to collectively start utilizing all the things that make our city amazing!

***This is a nice library inside-​and-​out; the exterior design is good and I really like the interior (it has a great classical and historical look, but they have also done a really good job updating this library to make it contemporary and comfortable); their collection is also good though the central public library in Downtown Los Angeles is more impressive***
There are a few nearby paid lots and structures; since this library is located right in Downtown Cleveland, parking is expensive.

WOw, this place is huge!
I wasn’t looking for anything in particular so I cant’ speak of their selection but the variety is overwhelming. Two city blocks of everything one could possibly need.
The architecture on the original building was very nice to look at from my 8^th floor hotel window but was more impressive in person. quite a contract to the modern piece of building next door to it. The park in between was nice secluded piece of nature too (although the don’t feed any bird anywhere anytime signs were annoying)
All in all a good little hide out when you’re stuck in Cleveland with nothing to do.

Wow, this place is impressive. The library is 2 city blocks long. The business library is one of the top in the country. And the selection of movies is large, too. Perhaps most impressive is the staff. I must have worked with 4 different people and all of them were polite, patient, friendly and very helpful. A library card gives you access to Clevnet, an online system of a card catalog and searchable database of movies, books, etc. You can also put a hold on books and DVDs. You will receive a letter in the mail when your items are available for pickup. How cool is that? Aside from the Metroparks, this is another hidden gem in Cleveland.

Cleveland. Home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Home of the Cleveland Indians, The Browns and The Cavs. A storied and rabid fan base of sports fans, to be sure and a history of rugged, hearty individuals.
However, one can look to the Cleveland Public Library as an example of a city that values not only the sporting life, but the pursuit of knowledge.
As a librarian, I’ve had the opportunity to visit many storehouses of information in many towns, villages and cities across the country. However, the Cleveland Public Library just about took my breath away. I entered through the Main Wing, built in 1925 and its beauty holds up after all these years. The ceilings and environment are difficult to capture, but this is where I would recommend starting your tour if you make it to downtown Cleveland. From my research, I found that Cleveland had the first children’s room and my girls and I had to make a special point to explore what they had available.
I also ventured to the newer side, the Louis Stokes Wing, which houses the DVDs, Business, Science, Government Documents and a stunning Computer Learning Connection which blends the classic library with the new guard.
All in all, an impressive library in a city with a reputation for sports, but knows that having balance is important, too.

Elected officials have tarnished the role of government in our lives. These elected officials have brought great wealth for the few and a decreasing standard of living for those who followed the rules. They argue daily over how much more they can take away from the working class. We forget what government can do and do better than any other organization. The Cleveland area benefits from government in at least two areas. We have enviable parks and a renowned library system.
Since my third grade teacher took our class to the local library to get cards, I have had books on borrow. In the summer I try to go downtown several times a month. No matter if I am going to the farmers market on Public Square, a movie at Tower City, or lunch at Colonial Arcade, I visit CPL. I discover new authors or find the latest edition of favorites. Before I had cable TV and DVR I borrowed from a huge selection of videos. When I had a long drive I could always find talking books in various formats.
When I was working on my doctorate, CPL actually purchased an obscure book I needed. Where CSU lacked CPL took over. Today I use the electronic resources for research and for browsing and placing holds on books. I have no idea which taxes I pay go toward the library or how much, but is money well spent. I would gladly vote yes on any library levy.
With the two buildings and the pocket park it is campus like. At present I am not pleased with having new fiction in the new building and the fiction stacks in the old. I may find a new Jonathon Kellerman then have a too long trek to find previous works.
I hear that the board has requested some rearranging and hope that all popular fiction can be placed together. Even if they do not I can save my steps by having the old Kellerman novels held for me at the check out desk. Then take my copy to the pocket park as Kellerman solves another murder in faraway Los Angeles.

What a treasure Cleveland has in this gorgeous library. It’s a real escape during my lunch hour downtown. I can go in for half an hour and feel like I’ve been gone all day. I sincerely hope that real books don’t disappear during my lifetime, as that would make me sad. But it’s not just books– this branch has a ton of CDs and DVDs to borrow too. The staff is friendly and eager to help. Whether you feel like reading the latest bodice-​ripper romance novel or are looking for an esoteric history book, it’s all here. The outside reading garden is beautiful in nice weather, too.

I can hardly believe that I’m actually admitting this, but here it goes…
Before this past weekend I had never been to the main branch of Cleveland Public Library.
That’s right, never. I know, it’s hurts me to think that with all the time I spend downtown that I’ve never been to this particular location. Although I’ve utilized some of the other CPL branches quite frequently, I’m still ashamed!
Well, all that guilt stops here because I’m officially addicted to this amazing Cleveland public resource! My first vision of the CPL was walking around the front. It’s separated into two connected buildings, one new and one old. Isn’t this just the «Cleveland story»? It’s such an old city full of rich history, but we’re slowly updating all while maintaining the integrity of our past. I love that the CPL captures this idea.
I walked around the back of the building and was pleasantly surprised by the gorgeous outdoor atrium! The design was something out of a story book. There were benches and chairs everywhere for you to plop down on, read and relax. At the center of it all was a unique and tranquil fountain with quotes and excerpts from literature.
The interior of the buildings matched the look of the outside quite well. One reminded you of past Cleveland scholars or families who must have spend many of hours here researching and learning. The other was a look into the present day with all the resources you could ever need in a public library, plus more!
Honestly, sometimes I forget what an amazing advantage I have in the CPL. If I need to rent movies (new ones!), books, music, etc., I can do it all for free! Need internet access or time on a computer? This is also free! You can even print off some pages of research. Looking for a book you can’t find anywhere else? You’ll find it here! If not, they’ll contact one of the other Cleveland branches and get it for you. Visit their website and you can order books and even set up email reminders for due dates! This is huge for me because I always forget those pesky dates. Oy, all those fines!
This is an incredible asset for the youth of Cleveland as well. It gives everyone the access to educational material, no matter what your situation may be. Whether you need to study, chill out, get away, do some research or even just have some quiet time, CPL is there for you! Utilize this amazing resource we have in Cleveland!

Unlike Seattle, where you can’t find good DVDs or videos actually sitting on a shelf, in Cleveland there are not only myriads of shelving devoted to DVDS, but, more importantly, they are all full of DVDs!
Although many exasperated Clevelanders can easily find plenty of topics to complain about, there is little to complain about regarding their public library system. Vis-​a-​vis other parts of the country I have visited, Cleveland and Cuyahoga County Libraries have one of the best libraries in the whole country – only the Columbus Metropolitan Library can claim to have a system on an equal footing. (Plus, the county and city library share their resources with their respective residents, which makes everyone involved happier).
King County and Seattle need to wake up and smell the coffee. They could create a better experience for everyone if they pooled their resources together. It’s a shame that I can’t get King county materials near Shoreline shipped to Rainier!
Finally, I love the old classical architecture and the nice outdoor garden. I wish I had spent more time at the downtown branch when I lived there.