Special Collections
Please request access to archival collections and reference items in closed stacks and storage in advance. Same-day requests not available evenings and Sundays or evenings after 5 pm.
HOURS
Monday - Thursday: 10 am - 8 pm
Friday: 10 am - 6 pm
Saturday: 10 am - 5pm
Sunday: 1 pm - 5 pm
LOCATION
3rd Floor
60 South High Street
Akron, Ohio 44326
330.643.9030
Division Manager: Mary Plazo
About the Division
The Special Collections Division houses the Library's genealogy, local history and archival collections. Collecting, preserving and providing access to these materials is our goal.
Our genealogy collection includes books, microfilm, periodicals, databases and more. We focus primarily on Ohio and surrounding states, but also collect materials for the states of the Eastern Seaboard, New England and the South. We continue to maintain one of the area's most extensive genealogy collections.
Our local history and archival collections include a variety of materials pertaining to all aspects of Akron and Summit County history, including the archives and photograph collections of the Summit County Historical Society. You can explore these by searching our Archives Catalog.
Summit Memory
Summit Memory is a countywide, collaborative effort to make available some of the remarkable local history collections maintained by the Library and our partner institutions. If your organization is located in Summit County and would like to participate in Summit Memory, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. at 330.643.9030.
Your Library is Sensory-Inclusive.
A Social Story for each of our Library locations is available through the KultureCity app.
