The Akron-Summit County Public Library is comprised of Main Library in downtown Akron, 18 branch locations in the City of Akron and in Summit County, two bookmobiles, and a van that provides cart-based service to lobbies of residential buildings. Main Library is the home of the administrative offices. The Library provides access to nearly 2 million items in its collection and, through the SearchOhio and OhioLINK consortia, to more than 75 million items in the collections of member public libraries and Ohio's college and university libraries.
For information regarding the Library's mission statement, vision statement & core values, visit our About the Library page.
Library Statistics 2023
Population of Legal Service Area: 381,648
Visitors to library facilities: 1.29 million
Registered borrowers: 351,220
Program Attendance: 137,296
Items available: 2.94 million
Items borrowed: 4.29 million
To review all of our current library statistics, download our 2023 Akron-Summit County Public Library Fact Sheet.
Facilities
With the Main Library in downtown Akron, two bookmobiles, a Mobile Services van, and 18 branch locations throughout Summit County, the system has 22 physical public service outlets. Library locations annually are open more than 50,000 hours, which includes nearly 50 Mobile Services stops per week.
Main Library: 270,000 sq ft.
Typical branch size:12,000 sq. ft.
Total square feet for Main and Branch Libraries: 446,807
The Library provides numerous community spaces, including a 425-seat auditorium, meeting rooms, and computer training labs at Main Library. Branch library meeting rooms are available for use by non-profit and community groups.
Innovative Programs & Services at a Glance
- Our TechZone@Main, the Library’s Makerspace, has the following equipment for use by the public: laser engraver, vinyl printer/cutter, 3-D printer, button maker, audio-video transfer station, sewing machine, heat press, and photo studio in-a-box. Additionally, the space provides audio recording studios, green screen, and digital media training.
- Our Microbusiness Center provides accessible business training, educational resources, and individualized direction to entrepreneurs, students, and established business owners. The Microbusiness Center also offers co-working space to contemplate, cultivate, or expand a business or business idea.
- Our Kitchen Tool Collection contains common and niche items, tools necessary to try new and adventurous dishes, as well as tools for everyday use. The tools can be checked out for two weeks with an Akron-Summit County Public Library card.
- Our library system is the first in the country to be designated as a sensory-inclusive space for those on the autism spectrum and those with dementia, PTSD, and other related conditions. The Akron-Summit County Public Library is committed to providing Dementia-Inclusive resources including Memory Cafés, which provide a relaxing and comfortable gathering for people living in the early stages of memory loss and their caregivers to connect, socialize, and build support networks. The Library also provides memory kits, which feature hands-on activities that invite engagement in familiar tasks and discovery of new interests while stimulating the senses, supporting skills such as eye-hand coordination, and easing conversation. Visiting the Library is now a better experience for all of its customers, including those with sensory-processing needs, thanks to a collaboration with KultureCity.
- Tutor.com provides live online tutoring for students and adults with an Akron-Summit County Public Library card. Tutor.com offers homework help and test preparation for students of all ages as well as career assistance. This service is available daily from 3 to 11 pm.
- LinkedIn Learning offers library cardholders access to thousands of online courses and more than 250,000 video tutorials. Participants can enhance their business, software, technology, and creative skills with this online teaching tool.
- STEM Kits equip classrooms with STEM materials covering topics such as Google Expeditions, Snap Circuits, magnetics, and robotics. (Thanks to a partnership with the Akron Public Schools, the Ohio STEM Learning Network, and a grant from the EXL Center.)
- The Accessibility Library is a groundbreaking resource center dedicated to enhancing accessibility at festivals, performances, community gatherings, and cultural shows–at no cost to users, thanks to the support of its partners. It offers an extensive range of assistive technology and support items that event organizers can borrow to ensure inclusivity and engagement for all attendees.
Download our Organizational Chart
