Oct. 31 ASCPL Board of Trustees meeting
Covered by Documenter Carol Sparkman (see her notes here)
The Akron-Summit County Public Library is looking for public input on the future of its 19 library buildings. On Wednesday and Thursday, Community Input Sessions will be held at the Green, North Hill, Tallmadge and Fairlawn-Bath branches.
Library staff and representatives from Bostwick Design Partnership are soliciting feedback on the current facilities and options for the future.
“Whether it be seating, collection shelving, study spaces, technology, quiet reading areas or something totally different, we want to hear what you think would make your libraries better,” states a promotional poster for the Community Input Sessions.
Future planning for library facilities
The input sessions are part of a feasibility study to gather input from staff, library clients and community members. Dana Setting, the library’s marketing communications director, said Bostwick Design Partners will generate recommendations for improved use of the space in all the library locations.
“This would potentially include plans for new furniture, rearrangement of shelving and increased spaces for collaboration or remote work,” Setting said. The library hopes to have a complete report on recommendations by year-end.
Background on library Improvements
In July 2024, the ASCPL Board of Trustees issued a request for qualifications for design firms interested in conducting a feasibility study to improve the interior space usage of all 19 library buildings.
The library developed a call for design firms in response to a 2023 internal facilities assessment. The assessment showed the library’s 19 buildings needed $71 million in capital improvements. Library officials interviewed five firms from eight submitted proposals.
Bostwick Design Partnership, the firm that was selected, has design experience with public library systems in Cleveland, Columbus, Youngstown, Lorain, and other cities across Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Florida.
Summit County’s library system
ASCPL branches are located in Akron, Copley-Fairlawn, Coventry, Green, Manchester, Mogadore, Nordonia Hills, Norton, Revere, Springfield, Tallmadge and Woodridge. Any adult living, working or attending school in Ohio can register for an ASCPL card. Nearly half of the library’s funding comes from the State of Ohio. The other half is from the countywide operating levy, and about 3% comes from other sources.
Last year, ASCPL’s 19 locations saw almost 1.3 million visits. The library offered more than 5,000 programs attended by 137,000 people.
Details on Community Input Sessions
- On Wednesday, Nov. 13, meetings will be at the Green Branch (3-4:30 p.m.) and North Hill Branch (6:30-8 p.m.).
- On Thursday, Nov. 14, meetings will be at the Tallmadge Branch (2-3:30 p.m.) and the Fairlawn-Bath Branch (6:30-8 p.m.).
- Organizsers will serve light refreshments and have requested registration. Visit the ASCPL Events Calendar for details.