Dear North Canton Friends and Neighbors,
If you’ve visited the Library recently, you’ve probably noticed a lot of excitement surrounding our upcoming renovation. For months, we’ve shared updates, answered questions, and dreamed alongside our community about what our Library can become.
Now, we’re about to take the biggest step of all.
On Saturday, August 22, we’ll welcome patrons into our Main Library at 185 North Main Street for the final time before construction begins. Beginning August 23, that building will close for approximately one year while it undergoes renovation.
But the Library isn’t going anywhere. We’re simply relocating. During construction, you’ll find us just down the road in our temporary home at the former D-BAT facility in the Hoover District.
I’ll be honest with you: this definitely isn’t the easiest chapter of our story.
Libraries are built around routines. Maybe you stop by every Tuesday after grocery shopping. Maybe your little one knows exactly where the dinosaur books live. Maybe you have a favorite chair, a favorite staff member, or a favorite quiet corner you’ve claimed as your own. We know that stepping away from those familiar routines can be frustrating, and we don’t take that lightly.
The truth is, we could have tried to keep the building open during construction. But after months of planning with architects, engineers, and construction professionals, it became clear that relocating temporarily is the safest, least disruptive way to complete this project. It protects our patrons, our staff, and our collection while allowing construction to move forward as efficiently as possible.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll be transforming the former D-BAT space into a welcoming temporary library where you can browse, borrow, attend programs, and connect with us just as you always have.
Our goal is to reopen there in mid- to late-September. Because there are a lot of moving parts behind the scenes, we’re not ready to announce an exact reopening date just yet, but we promise to keep you updated every step of the way.
And while our address will change for a little while…
Our commitment to you won’t.
In fact, we’re working hard to make sure library service is more accessible than ever during construction.
If making it into our temporary location isn’t easy, we’ll expand our curbside service so you can simply pull up and we’ll bring your materials to your car.
Need to grab a book while you’re already out running errands? Stop by our LibraryGo Mini at Acme Fresh Market, where you can browse, borrow, and return materials close to home.
Have a new baby in the family? Our Special Delivery service can bring books and early literacy resources right to your doorstep.
Unable to travel? Our Home Delivery service is ready to make sure mobility challenges never become a barrier to enjoying the Library.
And of course, our digital library will remain open 24 hours a day, giving you access to thousands of eBooks, audiobooks, movies, magazines, and more.
Every decision we’ve made has centered around one question:
How do we continue serving our community, even when our building is changing?
The answer is simple: we meet you where you are.
Will things look a little different for a while? Absolutely.
Will there be moments when we all have to adjust? Probably.
Will it be worth it?
Without question.
Because on the other side of this temporary inconvenience is a Library with more welcoming spaces for children and families, improved accessibility, modern technology, flexible community gathering spaces, and room to serve North Canton for generations to come.
Construction projects are measured in months.
But libraries? Those are measured in decades.
We’re not leaving North Canton. We’re simply moving a few blocks down the road while we build the Library our community deserves.
Thank you for believing in this project. Thank you for cheering us on. Thank you for your flexibility, your encouragement, and your trust.
No matter where we’re located, we’ll still be the same Library you know: the one that’s here to help, to connect, and to serve.
We can’t wait to welcome you into the next chapter.
With kindness,
Andrea Legg