Martin L. King, Jr. Branch — Cleveland Public Library
🏢 Cleveland Public Library · Cleveland, Ohio
Martin L. King, Jr. Branch — Cleveland Public Library
On January 25, 2025, Cleveland Public Library unveiled its new Martin L. King, Jr. campus at 10601 Euclid Avenue in University Circle — a 23,000-square-foot building designed by Brooklyn-based SO-IL and Cleveland's J. Kurtz Architects. At its heart stands the 'Table of Brotherhood,' a raised platform inspired by Dr. King's 'I Have a Dream' speech, in a branch that has served as a symbol of his legacy since the original location opened in 1970.
🕑 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: 10601 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106
Phone: (216) 623-7018
Website: cpl.org
Plus Code: 86HWG93P+H9 (Cleveland, OH)
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📖 About Martin L. King, Jr. Branch — Cleveland Public Library
The Martin L. King, Jr. Branch of the Cleveland Public Library has stood as a symbol of Dr. King's legacy in University Circle since 1970. The original building on Stokes Boulevard — a distinctive yellow-brick structure with arched windows and an upper-level gallery for African American literature and history — served the community for over 50 years. In 2017, CPL launched an international design competition with a $93,000 Cleveland Foundation grant to envision a library of the future that honored that legacy. Brooklyn-based SO-IL and Cleveland's J. Kurtz Architects won the competition, and their two-story, 23,000-square-foot campus opened on January 25, 2025. The design emphasizes flexibility and inclusivity: dedicated areas for children and teens, multiple meeting rooms, a gallery, a 24-hour book locker, a laptop bar, a maker space, and a rotating exhibit area. Its most iconic feature is the 'Table of Brotherhood,' a raised platform referencing Dr. King's 'I Have a Dream' speech. The branch serves the neighborhoods of University Circle, Fairfax, and Little Italy, and holds CPL's annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration each January. Two hours of free parking is available at the Artisan Garage at 10590 Reserve Court.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Brand-new 23,000-sq-ft campus opened January 25, 2025 — result of an international design competition won by SO-IL (Brooklyn) & J. Kurtz Architects (Cleveland)
- Features the 'Table of Brotherhood,' a raised platform directly inspired by Dr. King's 'I Have a Dream' speech
- Houses a gallery with rotating exhibits and an annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration each January
- Dedicated teen area, children's space, maker space, and laptop bar — CPL's most programmatically complete neighborhood campus
- Located in University Circle adjacent to the Cleveland Museum of Art, Case Western Reserve University, and University Hospitals
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
MLK Branch cardholders tap into Ohio's statewide digital library network at no cost:
📚 Services
- Free Wi-Fi and public computers with internet access
- Printing, copying, scanning, and faxing (fee applies)
- Book Locker (24-hour access for holds pickup)
- Meeting rooms and gallery space for community events
- Maker space with creative technology programming
- Dedicated teen area and children's space
- Laptop bar for extended work sessions
- Partnership with Greater Cleveland Food Bank (after-school food for kids)
- 2 hours free validated parking at Artisan Garage, 10590 Reserve Court
🎸 Programs
- Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration (January)
- Rotating art gallery exhibits featuring local and community artists
- Young Scholars' Academy (kindergarten readiness, ages 3–4)
- Club MLK — line dancing and wellness programs (ages 8 and up)
- Preschool storytimes (ages 3–5)
- Matinee film screenings for families
- Career services with Towards Employment
- Chess program, gaming activities, and creative writing
📍 Nearby Libraries in Cleveland
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did the new Martin Luther King Jr. Branch open, and what replaced the old building?
The new campus opened on January 25, 2025 at 10601 Euclid Avenue in University Circle. It replaced the original 1970 building on Stokes Boulevard — a yellow-brick structure with arched windows that stood for over 50 years. The new two-story, 23,000-square-foot building was designed by SO-IL of Brooklyn and J. Kurtz Architects of Cleveland following an international design competition launched in 2017 with support from a Cleveland Foundation grant.
What is the Table of Brotherhood at the MLK Branch?
The Table of Brotherhood is one of the most striking design elements of the new campus. It is a raised platform installed in the library as a direct reference to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech, in which he envisioned a day when people of all backgrounds would 'sit down together at the table of brotherhood.' It serves as both a functional community gathering space and an architectural tribute to Dr. King's vision.
What special collections does the MLK Branch hold?
The branch continues to maintain a strong collection of resources related to African American history and the Civil Rights Movement, as well as a vibrant urban fiction collection. The gallery hosts rotating art exhibits throughout the year, with a major show commencing each January during the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Celebration.
Is parking available near the Martin Luther King Jr. Branch?
Yes. The branch offers two hours of free validated parking at the Artisan Garage at 10590 Reserve Court. Enter the garage from Reserve Court through East 105th Street, take a ticket at the entrance, park on the 3rd or 4th floor (handicapped parking on the 1st floor), and bring your ticket to the librarian for validation. The branch is also served by the HealthLine BRT and RTA bus routes 9, 10, and 11.
🔨 This library has a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces by state.
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