Cleveland Park Library
🏢 DC Public Library · Washington, District of Columbia
Cleveland Park Library
The Cleveland Park Library, rebuilt in 2018 by Perkins Eastman at a cost of $19.7 million, replaced the neighborhood's 1953 Modernist branch with 27,000 square feet of light-filled space, an enclosed reading garden, and flexible meeting rooms. The striking design won the 2019 AIA Washington Chapter Urban Catalyst Award — and a beloved blue cat sculpture from the original building still greets children in the kids' room.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–8pm |
| Thursday | 12pm–8pm |
| Friday | 10am–6pm |
| Saturday | 10am–6pm |
| Sunday | 1pm–5pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 3310 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Phone: (202) 282-3080
Website: dclibrary.org
Plus Code: 87C4WWMR+GR (Washington, DC)
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📖 About Cleveland Park Library
The Cleveland Park neighborhood on Connecticut Avenue NW has had a public library since 1953, when a spare Modernist building designed by Municipal Architect Merrell A. Coe opened as one of the largest branches in the DC Public Library system. By the 2010s the aging structure could no longer meet community needs, and after extensive input from Cleveland Park residents, the original building was demolished in 2017. A completely new facility designed by Perkins Eastman and built by Gilbane opened in 2018 at a cost of $19.7 million. The new library contributes 27,000 square feet of library space, 4,000 square feet of flexible meeting rooms, and a 1,300-square-foot enclosed reading garden — a striking contrast to the closed, windowless 1953 predecessor. The design was recognized with DCist calling it 'strikingly stylish' and received the 2019 Urban Catalyst Award from the Washington DC chapter of the American Institute of Architects. One cherished detail carried forward from the old building: a blue cat sculpture now greets young visitors in the children's room.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Rebuilt in 2018 by Perkins Eastman — 27,000 sq ft with walls of windows, balconies, and an enclosed 1,300-sq-ft reading garden
- Won the 2019 AIA Washington DC chapter Urban Catalyst Award for design excellence
- Blue cat sculpture from the original 1953 building preserved in the children's room
- Original 1953 branch was designed by DC Municipal Architect Merrell A. Coe — one of the system's first Modernist libraries
- 4,000 sq ft of flexible meeting space for community programs, study groups, and events
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
DC Public Library cardholders enjoy a full suite of digital resources — borrow eBooks, stream films, and research from home:
📚 Services
- Public computers, Wi-Fi, printing, copying, and scanning
- Assistive technology support and DC Talking Book & Braille Program (NLS)
- Books from Birth program for newborns and young children
- Voter registration assistance
- Mail-in ballot drop box
- Meeting and study rooms (4,000 sq ft of flexible space)
- Enclosed reading garden
- Interlibrary loan through DC Public Library system
🎸 Programs
- Baby Lap Time for pre-walking infants
- Children's storytimes and crafternoon programs (ages 5–12)
- Teen programming and homework help
- Adult book clubs and community events
- Summer reading program
📍 Nearby DC Public Libraries
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Washington · Browse all District of Columbia libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Cleveland Park Library rebuilt and who designed the new building?
The current building was designed by architecture firm Perkins Eastman and constructed by Gilbane, opening in 2018 at a cost of $19.7 million. It replaced the original 1953 branch — a spare Modernist structure by DC Municipal Architect Merrell A. Coe — which was demolished in 2017. The new design won the 2019 Urban Catalyst Award from the AIA Washington DC chapter.
What is the enclosed reading garden at Cleveland Park Library?
The 1,300-square-foot enclosed reading garden is a sheltered outdoor space integrated into the 2018 building design. It provides a quiet spot for reading or relaxing amid the library's emphasis on natural light and open architecture — a deliberate contrast to the windowless 1953 predecessor.
What happened to the blue cat from the old Cleveland Park Library?
A beloved blue cat sculpture that had been a fixture in the children's room of the original 1953 building was preserved and reinstalled in the new 2018 library. It continues to greet young visitors in the children's area today.
What are the Cleveland Park Library's hours and is it open on Sundays?
The library is open Monday through Wednesday 9 am–8 pm, Thursday 12 pm–8 pm, Friday and Saturday 10 am–6 pm, and Sunday 1 pm–5 pm. The Sunday afternoon hours make it a convenient weekend destination in upper Northwest DC.
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