Cleveland Public Library to Expand National Digital Collection

CPL partners with DPLA to improve and grow online archive of over 50 million items.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:39am

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An abstract, impressionistic scene of blurred, overlapping shapes in warm, earthy tones, evoking the cozy, welcoming atmosphere of a library filled with books and technology.The Cleveland Public Library's new role in expanding digital access to cultural heritage will bring a wealth of knowledge and resources to researchers and the public alike.Cleveland Today

The Cleveland Public Library (CPL) has been selected to partner with the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) to improve and expand a massive online archive of more than 50 million digital items from libraries, museums, and cultural heritage institutions across the United States.

Why it matters

This partnership will allow CPL to enhance public access to a vast trove of digitized materials, including books, photographs, maps, and other resources, making them more discoverable and usable for researchers, students, and the general public. It also positions Cleveland as a leader in the national effort to democratize access to digital cultural heritage.

The details

Under the agreement, CPL will take over management and curation of the DPLA's online catalog, which currently houses over 50 million digital items from more than 4,000 contributing institutions. CPL will work to improve metadata, digitize additional materials, and expand the collection's reach and usability.

  • The partnership between CPL and DPLA was announced on April 13, 2026.
  • CPL is expected to begin managing the DPLA's digital archive in the summer of 2026.

The players

Cleveland Public Library

A major public library system serving the city of Cleveland, Ohio and surrounding Cuyahoga County.

Digital Public Library of America

A non-profit organization that aggregates and makes available digital content from libraries, archives, and museums across the United States.

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What they’re saying

“This partnership will allow us to bring the rich cultural heritage of Cleveland and Ohio to a national audience, while also enhancing access to invaluable resources for our local community.”

— Felton Thomas Jr., Director, Cleveland Public Library

“We're thrilled to have the Cleveland Public Library join us in this important work of democratizing access to our shared digital cultural heritage.”

— John Bracken, Executive Director, Digital Public Library of America

What’s next

CPL plans to host a public celebration and open house at its main downtown branch in the fall of 2026 to showcase the expanded digital collection and solicit feedback from the community.

The takeaway

This partnership positions Cleveland as a national leader in digital archiving and public access to cultural heritage, building on the city's reputation as a hub of innovation and community engagement.