Carnegie West
Neighborhoods Served: Detroit Shoreway, Ohio City
Bus Routes: 22, 45, Red Line
Location Manager: Angela Guinther
Location Services
Check out our branch services.
StoryWalk®
Stroll around the outside of our Library and enjoy a children’s story along your path. Stories change every 1-3 months!
Meeting Room Reservations & Event Spaces
Study room, meeting place or community space, we have a place for you.
Bicycle Parking
Bicycle racks provided for your convenience.
3D Printing
Print layers of materials to create anything from jewelry and puzzle pieces to architectural models and cookie cutters!
Nov 22, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Carnegie West
Know Your Neighborhood: A Historic Exploration of Cleveland
Join Cleveland Public Library for an interactive discussion on Ohio City and beyond. Learn to browse historic photographs and maps from CPL’s collection and create a take-home poster which showcases your favorite neighborhood.
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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