Akron-Summit County Public Library, Northwest Akron Branch

In 1932, the Library established the Fairlawn Sub-Branch, our first location, in the quaint little old schoolhouse on West Market & White Pond. Built in 1870, it was formerly known as the Ayres Settlement School.

Small in size, with a collection of about 6,000 books, the Library still served a very active community with varied book discussions and, later, film nights until it was replaced by the Ayres Branch Library in 1958.

In 1953, Dr. F. F. Ayres left most of his estate including his home to the Library. After a few years of litigation with Dr. Ayres’ disinherited relatives and several more years of remodeling and renovations to strengthen floors and knock down walls, Ayres Branch Library was established and opened to the public on January 19, 1958. A modern addition doubling the floor space of the building was completed at the rear of the house in October, 1965.

In August of 2002 we moved to our present location in Northwest Park at 1720 Shatto Ave.

The North American Institute of Architects, Akron Chapter, presented the 2004 Design Ward to the Northwest Akron Recreation Center/Northwest Akron Branch Library

Current statistics indicate that Northwest Akron Branch circulated 225,272 items in 2010, and houses a collection of 75,774 items with 14,468 registered borrowers.

We are open 6 days a week to meet your needs for education, information and recreation.

Our friendly, skilled staff includes a branch manager who is also an adult services librarian, a second adult services librarian, a children’s librarian, a teen librarian, public service assistants, and student assistants.

At the Northwest Akron Branch Library you can find a diverse collection in a variety of formats including books, CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays and periodicals.