Main Library — Cleveland Public Library
🏢 Cleveland Public Library · Cleveland, Ohio
Main Library — Cleveland Public Library
Cleveland Public Library's Main Library is one of the great public research libraries in the United States — founded in 1869 as a free public school library, the third largest of its kind in the country with more than 13 million items. Its 1925 Beaux Arts building by Walker & Weeks occupies a full downtown city block on Superior Avenue, connected by an underground passage and the Eastman Reading Garden to the 1997 Louis Stokes Wing, named for Ohio's first Black congressman. Passport applications are accepted by appointment.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–6pm |
| Thursday | 10am–6pm |
| Friday | 10am–6pm |
| Saturday | 10am–6pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 325 Superior Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114
Phone: (216) 623-2800
Website: cpl.org
Plus Code: 86HWG825+GC (Cleveland, OH)
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📖 About Main Library — Cleveland Public Library
Cleveland Public Library was established February 17, 1869, as a public school library under Superintendent of Education Anson Smyth — the "father of the Cleveland Public Library" — and became one of the first large libraries in the country to let patrons select books directly from open shelves (1890). The Main Library at 325 Superior Avenue was designed by Cleveland architectural firm Walker and Weeks and opened on May 6, 1925 in a five-story Beaux Arts building conforming to Daniel Burnham's Group Plan for the Civic Mall — at a cost of about $5 million. A second structure, the Louis Stokes Wing, was dedicated on April 12, 1997, and the two buildings are linked by a corridor beneath the Eastman Reading Garden, whose sculptures include works by Maya Lin and Tom Otterness. CPL belongs to CLEVNET, a consortium of more than 40 public library systems in northeastern Ohio, and holds more than 13 million items, making it the third-largest public research library in the United States. It pioneered Braille lending in 1903 and launched e-book services in 2003. The Main Library also serves as an official U.S. State Department passport acceptance facility.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Third-largest public research library in the United States with more than 13 million items
- 1925 Beaux Arts landmark designed by Walker & Weeks, part of Daniel Burnham's downtown Group Plan on the Civic Mall
- Louis Stokes Wing (1997) connected via the Eastman Reading Garden — sculptures by Maya Lin and Tom Otterness
- Official U.S. passport acceptance facility — applications and photos by appointment, Mon–Sat 10am–5pm
- First large public library in the U.S. to introduce open shelving (1890); Braille lending pioneer since 1903
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
CPL cardholders can stream, read and research free through one of Ohio's largest digital collections:
📚 Services
- U.S. passport acceptance & photo service (by appointment, call 216-623-2872)
- Special Collections: chess, maps, patents, John G. White Folklore & Orientalia
- Public computers, printing, scanning and free Wi-Fi
- Public Administration Library on-site (government documents & law resources)
- Interlibrary loan through CLEVNET (44+ libraries in NE Ohio)
- Ohio Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled
- Meeting and program spaces
- Reference and research assistance
🎸 Programs
- Author talks and community lectures
- Adult literacy and workforce development programs
- Children's and teen programming
- Summer reading challenge
- Cultural and arts events
- English-language learning programs
📍 Nearby CPL Branches in Cleveland
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cleveland Public Library founded, and what makes the Main Library building significant?
Cleveland Public Library was founded on February 17, 1869, by Superintendent of Education Anson Smyth. The Main Library building at 325 Superior Avenue was designed by Walker & Weeks and opened May 6, 1925 as a five-story Beaux Arts landmark that was part of Daniel Burnham's Group Plan for Cleveland's downtown Civic Mall. It is connected to the 1997 Louis Stokes Wing — named for Ohio's first Black congressman — by an underground corridor beneath the Eastman Reading Garden, whose public art includes sculptures by Maya Lin.
Can I apply for a U.S. passport at Cleveland Public Library?
Yes. The Main Library at 325 Superior Avenue is an official U.S. State Department passport acceptance facility. Passport application processing and photo services are available by appointment Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Call the Lending Department at (216) 623-2872 to book. Bring all required documents — the staff will review and submit your application.
How large is Cleveland Public Library's collection, and what makes it a research library?
Cleveland Public Library holds more than 13 million items, making it the third-largest public research library in the United States. It maintains nationally recognized special collections in chess, maps, patents, folklore and Orientalia (the John G. White Collection), and was the first large public library to adopt open shelving in 1890 and to begin Braille lending in 1903. Its catalog is shared across CLEVNET, a consortium of more than 40 public library systems in northeastern Ohio.
What is CLEVNET, and what does it mean for my library card?
CLEVNET is a library consortium founded in 1982 and headquartered at Cleveland Public Library that includes more than 40 public library systems across northeastern Ohio. A Cleveland Public Library card gives you reciprocal borrowing privileges at all CLEVNET member libraries and access to the shared catalog of more than 12 million titles. Digital services — Libby, hoopla, Kanopy and 100+ research databases — are also included.
🛂 This library offers U.S. passport services. See how library passport acceptance works — requirements, fees and appointments — and find other passport acceptance libraries by state.
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