Carnegie West
Neighborhoods Served: Detroit Shoreway, Ohio City
Bus Routes: 22, 45, Red Line
Location Manager: Angela Guinther
Jan 21, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Carnegie West
Art Recharge
Drop-in arts and crafts for adults the first and third Tuesday morning of each month. Recharge yourself with creativity and community.
New At The Library
The latest news and updates from the Library
About Carnegie West
Carnegie West is the oldest library building in the Cleveland Public Library system, opened in 1910 and financed in large part by Andrew Carnegie. Located in the heart of Ohio City on the near west side, the library resides in the city-owned Frank Novak Park. Neighbors include Saint Patrick’s Church, Saint Ignatius High School and notable local food spots Johnny Mango and Le Petit Triangle Cafe.
History & Architecture
At 25,000 square feet, Carnegie West is also Cleveland Public Library’s largest branch. Its architecture is a modified Renaissance with elements of classical style and was designed by Edward Tilton, the architect who designed four buildings for the U.S. Immigration Station on Ellis Island in New York City. The building’s principal materials of brick and terra cotta provide a contrast of texture and color. Carnegie library aficionados from near and far are awed by the impressive and unique craftmanship throughout. Carnegie West was completely remodeled in 1979; its next remodel is scheduled to be completed in the next few years.
Travel, Parking & Accessibility
Parking Information
On-street parking only, available on Fulton Road, Bridge Avenue and West 38th Street. Bicycle racks are available at the front of the entrance.
Accessibility Information
- An accessible ramp and elevator are located to the right of the entrance.
Special Features
- The StoryWalk® : The first Storywalk® in the city, installed along the interior sidewalk in Frank Novak Park. Stories change every 2-4 months.
- The interior features plaster bas reliefs of Thorwaldsen’s Triumphal Entry of Alexander the Great into Babylon and replicas of the Parthenon frieze.
- A beautiful Rookwood tile mural commissioned for the 1910 opening is the focal point of one of the four meeting rooms.
- Neighborhood maps, photographs, and art prints from the Library’s collection enhance other spaces.
- The children’s room features a farmer’s market play space complete with a planting field, a farmer truck, a chicken coop and a farm-inspired playroom.
- Family Space activities continue the food theme, when an entire kitchen set along with all the accoutrements, is available for children to play chef.
- There is also a deluxe Lego table stocked with Legos and Magformers, inspiring children of all ages to build and create.
- Books are important at Carnegie West too, with a notably browsable, highly interesting and organized collection of adult fiction and nonfiction, local and national magazines and newspapers and an excellent assortment of children’s chapter and picture books and quality nonfiction.
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