The Most Iconic Libraries in Ohio

Despite its nickname as the “Mother of Presidents,” Ohio isn’t just the birthplace of eight presidents; it’s also home to some of the nation’s most iconic libraries. From grand Beaux-Arts landmarks built during the “City Beautiful” movement to quirky castle-like county libraries and rare membership institutions, these libraries are more than book repositories: they’re destinations in themselves. Whether you’re into architecture, history, art, or even the paranormal, Ohio’s libraries offer a window into the state’s rich cultural past and present.

Cleveland Public Library, Cleveland

The Cleveland Public Library (CPL) first opened its doors on May 6, 1925, having been built for just under $5 million. A spectacular Beaux-Arts architectural marvel at the time, as it was constructed entirely from stone, designed to be as fireproof as possible. At the time, Cleveland was in the midst of a “City Beautiful” movement, inspired by the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition of Chicago (also known as the Chicago World’s Fair), building grand, lasting buildings in materials like marble, granite, and limestone, like the CPL, Cleveland City Hall, and the Federal Building.

The downtown Main Library campus comprises two significant buildings: the Louis Stokes Wing and the historic Main Library, connected by an underground passage. There are several standout architectural features in the library, including the Terrestrial Globe light fixture in the lobby, which features a map by Leonardo da Vinci, and the striking blue stairwell in the ultra-modern Louis Stokes Wing. A must-see semi-permanent rotating exhibit in the Main Library is an extensive collection of Superman memorabilia, including toys, comics, posters, clothing, and more, dating back to 1939. No need to go far from the CPL for sightseeing, ride the Louis Stokes Wing elevator up to the 10th Floor lobby for incredible views of the Public Square, the Cleveland Browns Stadium, and the Fountain of Eternal Life.

Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus

The Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) in Columbus is another beautiful library, one of over 2,500 Carnegie libraries worldwide, financed by noted philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The CML dates back to 1907 when Carnegie donated $200,000 to construct the main branch, providing the community with funds to support the library. The library’s motto, “Intra mea sunt quae quaeris” (meaning “My treasures are within”), is carved in Latin above the main entrance, suggesting that the library’s true treasures are within its walls. Still, the building itself is architecturally stunning, blending the Beaux-Arts tradition with modern design, and features an atrium with natural light, lots of marble, and expansive spaces.

After exploring the library, wander over to the nearby Topiary Park (also known as Topiary Garden), the only topiary interpretation in the world based entirely on one painting: Georges Seurat's famous post-impressionist masterpiece, "Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.” The garden features 54 human figures, eight boats, three dogs, a monkey, and a cat, all created from yew shrubs. The park also features a small pond representing the Seine River.

The Brumback Library, Van Wert

The first tax-supported county library in the United States was the brainchild of the Van Wert Ladies Library Association, a group of 12 women who established a subscription library for the residents of Van Wert, Ohio, in 1890. By 1896, the library had 1,400 books and had become a free city library, thanks to a city tax. With the backing of noted philanthropist John Sanford Brumback and his family, who provided the financial support necessary for all residents to access the library for free, the historic library opened on January 1, 1901. The combination of Gothic and Romanesque-style architecture makes the library resemble a castle more than a library, which only adds to its charming backstory and appeal. Today, the Brumback Library stands out as one of the largest rural libraries in Ohio and consistently ranks among the best libraries in the U.S. After spending time at the library, wander downtown and stop for coffee at Brewed Expressions, where you can indulge in one of their signature lattes, like the Buckeye, made with fresh espresso, steamed milk, peanut butter, and chocolate.

Defiance Public Library, Defiance

The Defiance Public Library is a Tudor Revival-Tudor-Gothic style Carnegie library, built between 1904 and 1905. The architecturally distinct building features a red sandstone façade, ornate stained glass, and picturesque views over nearby Fort Defiance Park and the meeting of the Maumee and Auglaize rivers. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. The library traces its roots back to a group of citizens who formed the Defiance Library Association (DLA) in 1873, raising money and donating funds to establish a free public library. It wasn’t until the wealthy Gilded Age industrialist Andrew Carnegie stepped in and donated $22,000 that the construction of the DPL was completed. The library is one of over 100 public libraries that were built through Carnegie’s generosity. Today, the library has two additional branches: the Johnson Memorial Library in Hicksville and the Sherwood Branch Library in Sherwood.

Within walking distance of this pretty institution is Fort Defiance Park, the original site of a military fort built in 1794 during the Northwest Indian War. The fort is long gone, but the green space surrounding it is filled with interpretive signs and monuments that tell its history.

Mercantile Library, Cincinnati

The Mercantile Library in Cincinnati has, appropriately enough, a storied history. At a time when access to books was limited primarily to the wealthy, membership libraries were born out of necessity in places like Philadelphia, New York, Boston, and Cincinnati. Membership libraries were commonplace in the U.S. and Europe before the advent of free public libraries. Today, only a handful of them are left, about 16 in total, including the Boston Athenæum, the Redwood Library and Athenæum in Newport, Rhode Island, and the New York Society Library. Membership fees range from $50 to $400 annually.

Dating back to 1835, this literary gem is situated on the 11th and 12th floors of the Historic Mercantile Building, which was initially founded by a group of men who called themselves the Young Men’s Mercantile Library Association who pooled resources to collect books, art, and host readings of prominent authors like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Herman Melville of “Moby Dick” fame, and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Today, the “Merc” remains a hub for readers and writers, boasting an extensive collection of over 85,000 books. They host an inspiring reading series, an Artist-in-Residence program, and sponsor a Poet Laureate.

The Mercantile Library is in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, so there are plenty of things to do after visiting the library, like walking to Fountain Square, where you’ll find the quintessential symbol of the city, the “Tyler Davidson Fountain” (also known as “The Genius of Water”).

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museum, Fremont

Although it predates the current National Archives-administered presidential library system, the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museum (HPLM) in Fremont is the earliest presidential library in the U.S. It was founded in 1916 by the 19th U.S. president’s son, who donated all of his father’s personal papers, books, and artifacts, as well as the 25-acre wooded estate called Spiegel Grove. The HPLM is not a traditional library, but it is a top destination for history enthusiasts, library lovers, and museum hoppers who want to explore the museum, the former 31-room Victorian home of Rutherford and Lucy Hayes, and the tomb of the president and first lady, which is surrounded by the original White House gates used during Hayes’ presidency. Outside the fence, there are stones commemorating the resting places of the family’s pets and animals, including Old Whitey, a Civil War horse. A mile of walking trails surrounds the estate,

If visiting the tomb of the former president sparks your inner ghost hunter, head over to the Sandusky County Historic Jail & Dungeon for a 90-minute tour and storytelling of the 1840s dungeon, the 1890s jail, and the gallows. Be prepared for a paranormal encounter or two during this subterranean exploration.

Today, libraries aren’t just places to borrow books, ask Ohio. They are iconic institutions in world-class destinations. From Cincinnati’s Mercantile Library, a hidden gem perched above downtown with nearly two centuries of literary history, to the Hayes Presidential Library in Fremont, the nation’s first of its kind, to the over 1,500 public libraries in the U.S. funded by Andrew Carnegie, these iconic spaces bring together culture, politics, and community. Visiting them means stepping into the story of the Buckeye State, where learning and legacy go hand in hand.