On November 12, 1913, the Board of the East Cleveland Public Library met in the office of the East Cleveland Board of Education where plans for a new Library were underway. The Carnegie Corporation of New York contributed $35,000 towards the cost of a new building. John D. Rockefeller contributed $3,600 to buy land for future expansion of the Library. National Electric Lamp Association, now GE Lighting, donated 129 light bulbs for fixtures in the building. The East Cleveland Public Library (ECPL), at 14101 Euclid Avenue, stands as an original Carnegie Library dedicated in 1916. The Library officially opened on May 29, 1916. The Library celebrates this date every year at a Founder’s Day event held at the end of May.
The main library has been renovated and expanded a number of times in its 100+ year history, but most notably in 2005, when the Library included the Debra Ann November Learning Center and the Greg L. Reese Performing Arts Center. ECPL’s library system included branch libraries Caledonia (960 Caledonia Avenue) and North (1425 Hayden Avenue), but those branches closed in 2010 following the recession. Today, ECPL is a single-facility library system that continues to serve the East Cleveland School District, residents of East Cleveland, and beyond.
Our Vision
The purpose of all services offered by the East Cleveland Public Library is to cultivate and embolden the literacy of our patronage and deepen their ties as members of this community.
Our Mission
The mission of the East Cleveland Public Library is to provide life-enhancing, consciousness-raising, Library services and cultural activities that reflect the needs of the East Cleveland community and the patrons of the institution.
Our Values
As a result of the Strategic Planning process, the following five themes were identified as core values: • community • autonomy • innovation • integrity • literacy
ECPL offers a range of information and recreational activities for people of all ages. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is always ready to assist you.