Central Library

Checking you out since 1873. The original Central Library building, located on St.

Clair Street and extending from Meridian to Pennsylvania Streets, was completed in October, 1917 at a cost of $510,000. Designed by Paul Cret and built in the Greek Doric style, it was considered one of the most outstanding architectural library structures in the United States. Fittingly, its exterior is of Indiana limestone built on a base of Vermont marble, with carved stone cornices adding to i  ...