Designing Our Future Libraries

The Library is seeking input on reimagining its neighborhood libraries.

The Cleveland Public Library system is getting a new look and the community is invited to help reconceptualize their local branches. Starting this month, we are hosting community engagement meetings at West Park, Jefferson, and moving on to each of our 27 branch libraries. The purpose of the meetings is to engage with the public, solicit community input, and learn what each community wants from its library building. The Library will form one steering committee per branch. Those selected members will contribute to the design of their neighborhood branch. If interested, please contact your branch manager for consideration.

In 2017, Cleveland voters approved a levy for more funding for the Cleveland Public Library. As our promise to the community, the Library is using that money to rebuild, renovate and reimagine the spaces at each of its branches. “We are committed to meeting the needs of our patrons and providing them with libraries that are accessible, functional and safe,” said Kathleen Sonnhalter, Capital Projects Manager at Cleveland Public Library, “The community’s input is vital to the success of each project. We want this next step in the design process to be collaborative to achieve optimal results.”

The discussions will consider branch improvements and will allow community members to share their ideas, views, opinions, and concerns with staff and others.