About
The Jefferson Campus is located in the heart of the Tremont neighborhood. The building has three meeting rooms available for public use. The largest meeting room can accommodate up to 39 people and the two smaller meeting rooms can fit groups of 4. Please contact the campus for more information about reserving the meeting rooms. Jefferson offers free Wi-Fi, public computers with Internet access, and Chromebook laptops for in-library use. Printing and copying services are available for a fee. Free parking is available in the lot next to the library, Jefferson’s book drop is open 24 hours.
History & Architecture
Renowned Cleveland architect and artist Ora Coltman worked for Cleveland Public Library as a supervising architect and building inspector who oversaw the construction of three branch libraries, including Jefferson. In 1918, Jefferson opened its doors in the neighborhood of Tremont. The 6,900-square-foot branch was updated in 1981.
Jefferson Campus was renovated in 2021-2022 by Williams Architects and Wanix Architects who kept the historic Carnegie Library charm of the branch while expanding capacity. The Jefferson Campus welcomed back patrons on October 15, 2022.
Special Features
- Gaming options, such as Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Wii, are available after school. Call for details and availability.
- Book lockers located in our vestibule remain open after-hours, allowing patrons’ access to pick up their holds. Please call for more information.
- A laptop bar.
- On the campus grounds, patrons may enjoy Jefferson’s bioswale.
- Community outreach for adults and children, as well as partnerships with schools, are top priorities at the Jefferson Campus.
- Two noteworthy pieces of art may be found at the Jefferson Branch. Ambrozi Paliwoda’s mural Out of the Past, the Present; Out of the Material, the Spiritual, oil on canvas, 1933-1934, depicts the movement of immigrants from their native lands into the industrial workforce of America. Paliwoda lived in the Tremont neighborhood and, as a student, worked as a page at the Jefferson Branch. The mural was reinstalled at Jefferson in 2000 following conservation. Finally, the painting Little Russia, Cleveland (View of Tremont From the Clark Ave. Bridge), oil on canvas, 1920, was gifted to Jefferson Branch by its architect, the celebrated Cleveland artist Ora Coltman.
Events and Exhibitions
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Friday, March 29 | 10 am
Spring Used Book Sale
Jefferson
Gently used books, DVDs, BluRays, and CDs for adults, kids, and teens at prices that will make everyone smile. Proceeds benefit The Cleveland Public Library Foundation which helps to support and expand collections, services, and programs at the Cleveland Public Library.
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Friday, March 29 | 10:30 am
0 to 3: Read to Me Playdate
Jefferson
Building your child’s brain is as simple as reading, singing, playing and talking! Join us as we read engaging books and sing lively songs with plenty of time for playing and talking! For children ages 0 to 3 (36 months) and a caring adult. Siblings welcome. Giveaways! Questions? Call 216-623-7004. These programs are made possible by a generous grant from The Bruening Foundation.
To browse a complete listing of upcoming 0 to 3: Read to Me programs at cpl.org/kids-teens/kindergarten-readiness/0-to-3-read-to-me/
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Friday, March 29 | 11:30 am
Dig Into Dinosaurs
Jefferson
Become a paleontologist for this week, studying fossils to learn about life on Earth a very long time ago. In conjunction with COSI, we will make and examine fossils and learn how scientists use this information to better understand our world. Space is limited; registration is required.
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Saturday, March 30 | 10 am
Spring Used Book Sale
Jefferson
Gently used books, DVDs, BluRays, and CDs for adults, kids, and teens at prices that will make everyone smile. Proceeds benefit The Cleveland Public Library Foundation which helps to support and expand collections, services, and programs at the Cleveland Public Library.
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Saturday, March 30 | 11 am
Once Upon a Story
Jefferson
Join us for a story hour for all ages. Stories, crafts, songs and more to celebrate the tales that delight all of us.
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Monday, April 1 | 4:30 pm
Boogie at the Branch
Jefferson
Enjoy an introduction to dance with a certified dance instructor . Each week will focus on a separate style: ballet, tap, modern, and hip hop. Please dress to move.
*NOTE: Waivers signed by a parent or guardian are required for each participant under age 18.
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Tuesday, April 2 | 4:30 pm
Therapeutic Art for Kids & Teens
Jefferson
The creative process and making art helps you explore feelings, deal with emotions, foster self-awareness, manage behavior, develop social skills, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem.
Certified art therapists from Art Therapy Studio bring the power of art to your neighborhood library in this series of free, weekly art sessions.
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Thursday, April 4 | 4:30 pm
Everything Anime!
Jefferson
Explore and enjoy everything anime and manga from the world of print, video, and gaming.
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Friday, April 5 | 10:30 am
0 to 3: Read to Me Playdate
Jefferson
Building your child’s brain is as simple as reading, singing, playing and talking! Join us as we read engaging books and sing lively songs with plenty of time for playing and talking! For children ages 0 to 3 (36 months) and a caring adult. Siblings welcome. Giveaways! Questions? Call 216-623-7004. These programs are made possible by a generous grant from The Bruening Foundation.
To browse a complete listing of upcoming 0 to 3: Read to Me programs at cpl.org/kids-teens/kindergarten-readiness/0-to-3-read-to-me/
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Saturday, April 6 | 11 am
Once Upon a Story
Jefferson
Join us for a story hour for all ages. Stories, crafts, songs and more to celebrate the tales that delight all of us.
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Saturday, April 6 | 2 pm
Beginners’ Art for Adults
Jefferson
Discover the joy of creating art in a welcoming environment in this interactive class which allows adults to try their hand at visual art in a no-pressure setting. Each week, we'll explore new materials and techniques, so feel free to join anytime. The library provides all supplies (while they last) and no experience is required.
This class is perfect for beginners looking to dip their toes into making their own Artwork.
Registration is required. Need more information? Call 216-623-7004 or email jefferson.branch@cpl.org
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Saturday, April 6 | 2 pm
Totally Ready for the Totality
Jefferson
Join us as we make eclipse projectors and talk what an eclipse is, what it means to be in the totality, and the ways to safely view the solar eclipse.
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Tuesday, April 9 | 4:30 pm
Therapeutic Art for Kids & Teens
Jefferson
The creative process and making art helps you explore feelings, deal with emotions, foster self-awareness, manage behavior, develop social skills, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem.
Certified art therapists from Art Therapy Studio bring the power of art to your neighborhood library in this series of free, weekly art sessions.
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Thursday, April 11 | 4:30 pm
Robotics : Building and Coding for the Win
Jefferson
Drop in every other week to build robots, then code them using block-coding. See whose is the best…then make yours better.
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Friday, April 12 | 10:30 am
0 to 3: Read to Me Playdate
Jefferson
Building your child’s brain is as simple as reading, singing, playing and talking! Join us as we read engaging books and sing lively songs with plenty of time for playing and talking! For children ages 0 to 3 (36 months) and a caring adult. Siblings welcome. Giveaways! Questions? Call 216-623-7004. These programs are made possible by a generous grant from The Bruening Foundation.
To browse a complete listing of upcoming 0 to 3: Read to Me programs at cpl.org/kids-teens/kindergarten-readiness/0-to-3-read-to-me/
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Saturday, April 13 | 10:30 am
What’s Arbor Day, Anyway?
Jefferson
Join a Tree Tale Teller from Holden Forests & Gardens to explore the world of plants and trees in this all-ages family story time and learn more about Arbor Day.
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Monday, April 15 | 4:30 pm
MakerKits: Construction
Jefferson
Do you like tinkering, constructing, and making things? Build towering structures and unique objects with LEGO® Bricks and K'NEX® Building sets. Drop-in for 5 minutes or build the entire session.
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Monday, April 15 | 7 pm
Tremont Think and Drink Book Club
Jefferson
Join us for an engaging book discussion while enjoying your favorite beverage at Lincoln Park Pub, 2609 W 14th St, Cleveland, OH 44113. We will discuss the following great reads:
April 15: Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee by Casey Cep
May 13: The Library Book by Susan Orlean
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Tuesday, April 16 | 4:30 pm
Therapeutic Art for Kids & Teens
Jefferson
The creative process and making art helps you explore feelings, deal with emotions, foster self-awareness, manage behavior, develop social skills, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem.
Certified art therapists from Art Therapy Studio bring the power of art to your neighborhood library in this series of free, weekly art sessions.
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Thursday, April 18 | 4:30 pm
Everything Anime!
Jefferson
Explore and enjoy everything anime and manga from the world of print, video, and gaming.