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Lakewood Public Library Design & Construction News In 2006 ground will be broken for the expansion and renovation of Main Library. Learn about our building program and follow our progress.

- Reed A. Thomason Mural - Children's and Youth Services

Snapshots in time from the Lakewood Public Library, a Carnegie library, opened in 1916:

	Opening Day, June 3, 1924, after the first renovation project. The library doubled, adding a second floor reference room and auditorium, extending the Boys' and Girls' Room and the Adult Department on the first floor. (40 Kb JPEG)
	The Boys' and Girls' Room, 1927. (75 Kb JPEG)
	Marionettes captured by a Cleveland Press photographer, 1936. (68 Kb JPEG)
	The second floor Music Listening Room, 1966. The Listening Room was a feature of the second major expansion of 1956. (50 Kb JPEG)

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Main Library building history:

1916__________________________________________
Library founded with $48,901 Carnegie grant for the building plus donations of $9,728 for the land -- one-third from residents of the immediate neighborhood and two-thirds from the city.
Population: 35,000
Collection: 10,000 volumes
Building Size: Approximately 11,000 square feet
Architect: Edward L. Tilton of New York City

1924__________________________________________
An addition to the rear of the building expands it to twice its size and three times its capacity (because of mezzanine and basement). Done with $150,000 from a bond issue approved in 1922.
Population: 48,500
Collection: 40,000 volumes
Building Size: 22,057 square feet
Architect: Charles W. Hopkins

1956__________________________________________
Library expanded again, increasing floor space by 70% with $800,000 bond issue passed in 1954. This time the front wall is torn off and it is expanded forward.
Population: 67,000
Collection: 71,000 volumes
Building Size: 37,640 square feet
Architect: Garfield, Harris, Robinson and Schafer

1976__________________________________________
Library purchases the small bank building next door and annexes it to be used as Children's Department. The fact that the buildings are only about a foot apart makes the annex seem like part of the main building. Cost: $70,000.
Population: 67,000
Collection: 187,000 volumes (including A-V materials)
Building Size: 41,750 square feet
Architect: Wallace G. Teare

1981__________________________________________
Another addition to the front of the building brings added floor space and a much needed elevator for handicapped access. Paid for by $700,000 bond issue passed in 1979.
Population: Estimated 62,000
Collection: Estimated 227,000 volumes (including A-V materials)
Building Size: 50,050 square feet
Architect: Thomas Moore - Geary, Moore and Ahrens, Inc.

1991__________________________________________
Two levels of basement space--space from the 1981 expansion and Children's annex (bank building) basement purchased in 1976--are joined to create 1,500 square feet of programming space. Provides a Children's Activity Room to support expanded after school and weekend programs. Handicapped ramp makes this and Friends of Lakewood Public Library Book Sale room accessible. Paid for by capital outlay funds from operating levy passed in 1989. Cost: $45,000.
Population: 59,718 (1990)
Collection: 235,288 (including A-V materials)
Building Size: 50,050 square feet
Architect: Koster and Associates, Inc.

1993__________________________________________
Consolidation of operations and interior alterations result in a Technology Center and furnished Quiet Room on the Second Floor. Paid for by capital outlay funds from operating levy passed in 1989. Friends of Lakewood Public Library provide $12,000 for six networked PCs; Carlyn Irwin Fund provides $7,000 for two multimedia computers. Cost: $50,000.
Population: 59,718 (1990)
Collection: 282,773 (including A-V materials)
Building Size: 50,050 square feet
Architect: Acciarri, Draeger & Associates, Inc.

1996__________________________________________
First floor alterations and interior renovations include carpeting, new fixtures and furnishings, painting, removal of asbestos floor tile, security system. Paid for by capital outlay funds from operating levy passed in 1993, $87,000 in bequest funds from Halvor Holbeck and $20,000 from the Friends of Lakewood Public Library. Cost: $250,000
Population: Estimated 57,400
Collection: 305,477 (including A-V materials)
Building size: 50,050 square feet
Architect: Ziska Architects & Associates; Fenderbosch Interiors

1998__________________________________________
Second floor alterations and interior renovations include expansion of Technology Center, creation of a computer Learning Lab, expansion of the Reference desk, new furnishings, painting and carpeting. Computer equipment for the Learning Lab paid for by the Fletcher Foundation ($4,000) and the Lakewood Public Library Foundation ($5,000). Cost: $103,083.
Population: Estimated 57,400
Collection: 305,477 (including A-V materials)
Building size: 50,050 square feet
Architect: Ziska Architects & Associates

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Madison Branch Library building history:

1921__________________________________________
Branch opens in rented quarters on 2nd floor of a former dance hall at the corner of Madison and Newman Avenues. A branch store of the Continental Company occupies the first floor of the building.
Population: 41,732 (1920)
Collection: 3,854

1928__________________________________________
Library moves to a rented store room directly opposite the new building site.

1929__________________________________________
Present structure erected in Madison Park on land granted from the city and sold for $1.00. Approximate cost: $33,600.
Population: 70,509 (1930)
Collection: 8,000
Building Size : 6,195 square feet
Architect: Walker and Weeks

1956__________________________________________
Building is renovated. Air conditioning installed. New furnishings added.
Population: 66,154 (1960)
Collection: 20,000
Building Size: 6,195 square feet

1992__________________________________________
Additions and alterations, made possible through a $142,150 Community Block Development Grant, provide barrier-free access by means of handicapped accessible entrance, rest rooms and elevator. Cost: $146,450.
Population: 59,718 (1990)
Collection: 34,027 (including A-V materials)
Building Size: 6,195 square feet
Architect: Koster and Associates, Inc.

1995__________________________________________
Interior remodeling includes new fixtures, furnishings and carpeting. Paid for by capital outlay funds from an operating levy passed in 1993 and $10,579 in support from the Friends of Lakewood Public Library. Cost: 42,335.
Population: estimated 57,400
Collection: 40,417
Building Size: 6,195 square feet
Interior Designer: Fenderbosch Interiors