Cleveland Public Library thrives when the community invests in its success. Now more than ever, we are profoundly grateful to the individuals, businesses, and foundations whose support makes the Library’s extraordinary work possible.

An investment in Cleveland Public Library through the Foundation is an investment in Cleveland’s diverse and distinctive neighborhoods

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Cleveland Public Library Accepts Grant to Narrow Digital Divide

In partnership with AT&T Connected Learning, Cleveland Public Library will invest in Clevelanders at home, in the classroom, and at work. The $15,000 AT&T Foundation grant will support STEM at Home, a virtual science class offering free online robotics and coding courses for kids and teens in grades 3-12.

LEARN MORE About STEM@Home
Groundbreaking

Groundbreaking of Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Workforce and Senior Digital Innovation Lab

Cleveland Public Library announced the largest gift in its 155-year history.
The $3.25 million grant from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation will support the creation of a new digital innovation lab for adults and seniors at the Library’s Glenville Branch.

Art for Justice

Prism: Seeing Beyond Incarceration
An interdisciplinary initiative platforming art and justice

This grant aims to support the endeavors of artists and advocates dedicated to ending mass incarceration and fostering a future of collective safety.

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Established by Cleveland-born philanthropist Agnes Gund. This grant aims to support the endeavors of artists and advocates dedicated to ending mass incarceration and fostering a future of collective safety.

Working alongside consultants & co-project managers LAND studio and Shooting Without Bullets, CPL is developing an 18 month interdisciplinary initiative to examine the role of the library in ending mass incarceration; facilitating the creation of art and programming that furthers dialogue and advocacy efforts in Cleveland.

The project’s goals include commissioning and installing a minimum of 5 artworks across various branches of the Cleveland Public Library system. Through these installations, the project aims to activate public spaces, spark community engagement, and catalyze conversations that reshape narratives surrounding mass incarceration in Cleveland.

These new cases meet contemporary archival standards for the secure display of rare materials.

Special Thanks to An Anonymous Donor

A generous donor made a $50,000 gift to the Cleveland Public Library Foundation to acquire two custom designed, state-of-the-art oversized archival display cases.

CPL routinely mounts exhibitions of rare and valuable treasures from its vast collections, to educate and inspire the public within our Main Library Special Collections Department.

Our inaugural exhibit highlighted treasures relating to Egypt from the famed John G. White Collection.

“Due to the extraordinary foresight and generosity of our esteemed donors, the Library is once again able to showcase large items such as folio volumes, architectural plans, and maps–something we lacked the means to do for several decades.”

Michael Ruffing
Director of Special Projects
Cleveland Public Library

Download the 2023 Annual Report

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WHY I GIVE

Donor Testimonials:

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“"I have been using CPL since I was 12, when my family first moved to Northeast Ohio. Literature is my great love, but all of the Library's resources are amazing, from the specialized collections at the Main Library to the many resources at all of the branches. CPL is one of our region's greatest assets, but I have found that many people don't know much about CPL, or use our collections and activities, and I hope that my gift will help CPL broaden its impact in our community. I am a voracious reader but I buy very few books. Given how many books I check out of the Library, my gift is a great bargain!"”

Margaret
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“"Libraries are one of the most important resources in this community! They are the foundation for information for everyone!"”

Nina Gibans
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“I support the Cleveland Public Library since it represents one of this region's greatest assets. CPL has been around for over 150 years and is truly "the peoples university". While most patrons know the library for its wonderful selection of books, the CPL offers much more. Its facilities and resources are strategically positioned throughout Cleveland's neighborhoods as well as on-line. Furthermore, it serves as THE hub for learning, engagement, inclusion, and opportunities. The organization partners with public and private organizations to bring an unbiased view on matters important to us all. Without the CPL, our communities and many of its citizens would not have access to the resources needed to grow and succeed as individuals. I encourage everyone to fully leverage the CPL resources and financially support its unique purpose and role in our region.”

Greg Stefani
Why Do You Give?