Akron-Summit County Public Library

I grew up a regular visitor to this library. The latest remodel (s) have turned a functional and excellent but not very aesthetic facility into a thing of beauty. Great computer facilities, free scanning, friendly, helpful staff, and a Special Collections section that’s a cultural and historic gold mine. I’m not a current Akronite, but I am a librarian and library user. Locals are very lucky to have this library (and, I understand, generous with their tax support).

This is a great library with great service and selection. They have many computers and books. Most of there books are also available online via there IOS and Android apps. They also have a whole room dedicated to child books and many movies. I love this library and hope they will always have enough money to stay open.

I can’t believe nobody has reviewed this place yet. It was one of my favorite places to just relax when I still lived in Akron.
The Main Library was recently redesigned and given a retro look and feel. Here is where hundreds of thousands of books, CDs, videos, and reference materials are at your disposal. In terms of libraries, it beats the hell out of anything else I’ve ever been in in terms of appearance. It is one of the few libraries that are actually welcoming.
I understand that this isn’t the Library of Congress or a large city library, but you can find anything your heart desires. I come here to find CDs to rip to my computer, no joke. They even had multiple copies of Fear Factory’s «Demanufacture» — something I can’t even find in a dedicated music store without searching hard. Are you interested in an older movie or video that is hard to find in stores or Redbox? They also have that, more than likely.
The most amazing thing here (to me at least) is the abnormally large number of computers here. Using the computer only requires a library card, and it is quite difficult to find a spare computer on most days. The Main Library is trying to come off not as a library, but as a public meeting place. To me, they are appearing to be successful in doing so.