cleveland public library

My husband and I stopped here on our visit to Cleveland. We really enjoyed the chess display and the tiny books. There something really satisfying about all those books, too!

Libraries have always been a wonderful asset to any community. Not only for education or professional enrichment, but for sheer pleasure. The wealth of resources have grown far beyond the enormous collection and availability of books, but now includes the most advanced modern media. Recorded music, movies and "talking books" for the visually impaired and children, research material for students, including computer access, along with the unlimited shared information from the world wide web. The friendly staff here is generously assisting visitors, offering helpful advise along with professional expertise. I always feel privileged to have the Cleveland Public Library, with its many convenient locations, as part of our community resources. I couldn't praise this institution more.

This library is beautiful in and of itself. I went to research my genealogy. They have microfilm of old newspapers as well as death records and death certificates easily accessible from one area of the library. Easy access parking as well.

This is old time architecture and book choices with the new high tech mixed in with the new building next door.In the main building, even the lobby is a visual treat. Look up and see the world. Be sure to keep walking straight ahead and check out the reading room. Then off to the books upstairs, floor after floor of them. I used to take my dates on a tour and hope to steal a kiss as we got lost in the stacks. It is like a movie set!Then go down the basement and follow the tunnel to the technology wing, another building. Here too are floors and floors of books but the best part is the basement floor where there is a bevy of engravers and 3D printers for you to use for free with help from the staff if you need it.After you have spent hours just walking around in amazement, check out the arcade across the street, America's first mall from the 1800's. You will again be looking at the beautiful architecture with your mouth open. As long as it is open, go get some food in the food court and sit at a table or book a room at the Marriott which occupies the old offices of the upper floors.

I work in a branch but used to take my kids and scout troops to the main branch years before I Became a librarian. Lots of great free programs. A new Tech Central department full of all kinds of high tech gadgets. A great kids department, a large research collection, some unique treasures in the rare book collection and the latest in technology. Down side is that there is no inexpensive parking. It is on bus routes and an easy walk from public square and the rapid transit. If you check the website cpl.org you can find a list of programs and speakers...all of which are free and most are not crowded.

My husband and I mainly went to the Cleveland Public Library to admire the architecture. We were pleasantly surprised that there was also a tiny book and chess game exhibit. It was fun to learn about chess games from around the world. The tiny books were tiny.The architecture was very breathtaking in certain rooms. The Cleveland Public Library is made up of two buildings, one which is old and one that is from the 90s. The 90s is more colorful but the older builder makes you think you are back in the 1920s. Definitely recommend since it is FREE to walk around.

The internet cafe is well maintained, and easy to use. The renovations are also interesting. The origional limestone structure is huge!

We wandered into the Special Collections area where one of the librarians treated us to a show of one of the folios of an original 2nd edition set of Audubon bird prints. (A researcher had requested them earlier in the week and they were still out on the tables.) When I mentioned that the story of the prints reminded me of the story of Edward Curtis, who tried to photograph every Native American tribe in the U.S. before they disappeared in the early 1900s, she told us the CPL had a set of those too and brought one out to show us. I will never forget the experience.

Cleveland has a remarkable library system with many helpful and knowlegeable staff. If you are visiting from out of town any of the branches will be happy to assist you but for most people they are going to want to visit the main library on Superior. The original Main Building of the library is magnificent. Make an effort to see Brett Hall a majestic room that is what all libraries should strive to look like. The marble staircases that lead to the various floors are classic an beautiful. I cannot recommend this building enough for its architecture. Visiting the Special Collections of the John G White Collection is also a must. Cleveland has the largest chess library in the world and even if you are not a fan of the game, they have some truly remarkable items. On the other side of the coin is the Louis Stokes Wing, a modern disaster that looks like a giant glass garbage can. The building has none of the warmth of the original and in my opinion is an eye sore. The stairwells instead of the original main library as mentioned are gorgeous marble while the ones in the new one are dungeon like concrete that would not look out of place in a parking garage. The new Tech Central is impressive in what it offers but the building that holds it is not worth bothering with in my opinion.

The facilities are amazing; there's a self-guided tour booklet available. I'm jealous of the range of library services available to Cleveland residents, even though I have a great library system at home! The gift shop sells withdrawn materials as well as greeting cards and gift items; as a tourist I used them to buy a few books for travel reading and to take home. The convenient downtown location across from the Hyatt Regency where I stayed is another plus.

Cleveland is known to have one of the better library systems in the United States. This building is huge and beautiful, and well worth seeing if you are in downtown Cleveland.

Historical and beautiful. The staff are very happy to give some history and pointers to allow you to discover on your own. You have to see it to believe the amount of historical information in one building. A must see in Cleveland.

The Cleveland Public Library downtown is beautiful. A must see. The staff are friendly, helpful and the architecture is definitely worth seeing. Do it.

it's very large and has beautiful carved ceilings. There was an interesting old movie poster display and a WWI airplane paintings display. There's a permanent display of many chess sets and some other antiques.

Since I was a young girl, the downtown Cleveland Public Library always held a special place in my heart. My mother told me stories about the library, where she had worked for several years after high school. During my college years, it was the go-to place for writing papers. With time, I gained a new appreciation for the library. It's architecture, marble staircases, solid wood features and windows overlooking downtown make it a spectacular Cleveland landmark. It is home to a massive literary collection that rivals any other.On May 31, 2014, the Cleveland Public Library took on an even greater significance. It became the venue for the first wedding reception ever held there. The magic that had always characterized this structure was magnified forever, as I watched my handsome son and beautiful daughter-in-law enter the reading room, as husband and wife. The Cleveland Public Library DEFINITELY is for more than just reading!