![]() ![]() With eleven floors, including the lower level, the new 267,000-square-foot building has more than 30 miles of bookshelves–enough for 1.3 million books and is equipped with the latest electronic resources. In November 1991, by a 71% majority, voters approved a $90 million bond issue to go forward with a plan for collection preservation, new technology, and renovation.Īn entirely new downtown building was dedicated on April 12, 1997. By 1981, the card catalog was fully computerized.īy the late 1980s, after the Library had completed the renovation of its neighborhood branches, attention turned to the Main Library downtown, where outmoded mechanical and electrical systems were posing a hazard to the public, the staff, and the collections. In 1975, the library built and renovated neighborhood branches while streamlining the Library’s operations. Due to the vision and perseverance of key staff and influential directors, the Library not only reversed its downward trend but became strongly positioned to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The last quarter of the 20th century has seen dramatic improvements in the Library’s fortunes. Funds for the purchase of new books and materials, as well as for the maintenance of library buildings decreased. ![]() During this time, circulation at the Main Library and its neighborhood branches declined dramatically from a high of 10,374,652 in 1932 to 3,402,050 in 1970. Increased migration to the suburbs led to a decline in the city’s population and resources. The succeeding decades were difficult times for both Cleveland and its public library system. In November 1957, voters approved a $3 million bond issue for the Library to purchase and renovate the six-story building that was the former location of The Plain Dealer. The new Main Library proved to be immensely popular: The original estimate of 5,000 daily users was soon eclipsed by the early 1930s, more than 12,000 individuals walked through the doors every day.īy the 1950s, the Main Library’s collection had tripled in size and the Library was short on space. In 1925, Main Library opened to the public in a new building designed by the Cleveland architectural firm of Walker & Weeks. For 56 years, the Library was in a series of temporary and rented spaces. It was the first large public library to allow people to select their own books directly from its bookshelves. The Main Library’s Subject Departments are divided between the two buildings.Ĭleveland Public Library first opened as a “Public School Library” for the Cleveland Board of Education in 1869. The two buildings and the garden take up an entire city block on Superior Avenue between East 3rd Street and East 6th Street. The Main Library in downtown Cleveland consists of the historic Main Library Building built in 1925 and renovated in 1999 the Louis Stokes Wing completed in 1997 and the Eastman Reading Garden located between the two buildings. Otherwise, patrons may phone ahead to any of the Main Library subject departments and request that library materials be sent to the drive-up window (please allot enough time for library staff to bring your materials to the drive-up window). Use the drive-up window to check out and return books, magazines, and audio/video recordings–even to sign up for a library card! You can have books and other materials sent to the drive-up window for pick-up by selecting “CLEVELAND Main Drive-Up Window” when placing a reserve in the Library’s online catalog. Library Hours Day of the WeekĬleveland Public Library offers full service at the drive-up window located at the rear of the Louis Stokes Wing on Rockwell Avenue, just west of East 6th Street. Clair and Superior (including designated handicapped spaces) and nearby paid parking garages. ![]() There are on-street parking meters available on East 6th between St. Annual Reports & Annual Comprehensive Financial ReportsĮmail: Robin Wood (Senior Director of Public Services – Main Library).Research Aides – Cleveland Neighborhoods.Ohio Library for the Blind & Print Disabled. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |