Cleveland Public Library Archives

The Cleveland Public Library Archives serves as the institutional repository of records created by and related to the history and development of the Cleveland Public Library. Housed within the Archives are collections of primary source material that chronicle the evolution of the Cleveland Public Library – one of the largest public research libraries in the United States – since its founding on February 17, 1869.

The Archives enables the Library’s administration and staff to operate in a professional, informed, and consistent manner by having immediate access to a complete array of historical and current knowledge of Library operations. The Archives is also available to researchers outside the Library who are interested in its history.

The collection

The Archives is devoted to the institutional records of the Cleveland Public Library. Among the many collections held in the Archives are:

• Cleveland Public Library Annual Reports, 1878-present
• Cleveland Public Library Board of Trustees proceedings, correspondence, and handbooks and manuals
• Papers of current and former Library directors and administrators, including William H. Brett (1846-1918) and Linda A. Eastman (1867-1963)
• Architectural records for Library buildings
• Photographs of Library events, locations, and staff
• Ohio Library for the Blind and Print Disabled records

A selection of materials held in the Archives has been digitized on the Library’s Digital Gallery.

Archival collections are described in finding aids, which include essential information about the creation, content, arrangement, and context of these materials. Finding aids for Archives material can be found on ArchivesSpace.

Related Material

Researchers interested in genealogy and family history should explore the Library’s Genealogy Resources or contact the Center for Local & Global History.

Researchers interested in Cleveland history should contact the Center for Local & Global History.

Researchers interested in archival collections not related to the Cleveland Public Library should contact the Special Collections Department.

Researchers interested in school yearbooks should contact the Social Sciences Department.

Contact

The Archives is a division of the Special Projects and Collections Department. Researchers interested in the history of the Cleveland Public Library may contact the Archives at 216-623-2938 or archives@cpl-redesign.org. The Archives is open by appointment Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm.