The first public library in Cleveland was founded in 1869 and was originally known as the Public School Library. The Cleveland architectural firm of Walker and Weeks won a competition to design a new library in 1915. There were delays due to World War I and it was not completed until 1925. The Library’s archives have many wonderful photographs of the building and four drawings from the architects showing the involvement of the Guastavino firm. The Cleveland Public Library was an early adopter of open shelves for books so patrons could browse and is known as “The People’s University.