About the North Canton Public Library
Our Mission
Our Vision
Our Core Values
Service-Focused
The Library provides dependable and expert service to all with kindness, integrity, and respect. We create an environment of trust, comfort, and inclusion for staff and patrons alike.
Community-Oriented
The Library is an engaged community partner committed to working toward the empowerment and growth of all community members.
Inspiring
We encourage curiosity and innovation by offering a wide range of opportunities that increase learning, exploration, and knowledge.
Accessible
The Library adapts to changing patron needs in order to remain physically and virtually approachable and convenient for all. Learn more.
Our History
The North Canton Public Library was founded in 1926 when the North Canton Library Association was established. We are an independent library and not affiliated with the Stark County District Library system. The purpose of the North Canton Public Library is to serve the community and to enhance the quality of life of our patrons. The library accomplishes this goal by selecting, maintaining, and making available resources that serve our patrons’ informational, recreational, and cultural needs. The library wants to establish a life-long relationship with every person, from preschoolers to senior citizens, and works to reflect the changing needs of our community in its collection.
Founding - 1940's
- 1926 – The North Canton Library Association was established with the purpose of owning and maintaining a free library for the residents of North Canton and its school district.
- January 27, 1928 – One room was designated as a library in the Community Building that W.H. Hoover established on Main Street in 1923. The population served was 993 and the first year’s circulation was 12,911. The collection of books was 1,000.
- May 1929 – An existing residence (larger space) was purchased to house the library, which began to exhibit artwork. The collection of books was 2,400, and circulation the second year was 14,000.
- 1930 – The Little Art Gallery was established in a second-floor room of the library. The Hoover Company and two Hoover employees, Ellsworth Smith and Esta Stoner, were instrumental in the conception of the gallery.
- 1935 – A larger location was needed, but was delayed because of World War II. Circulation had reached 49,254.
- 1947 – The library began to serve all of Stark County.
1950's - 1990's
- June 28, 1953 – The current building was opened, with an area designated to be the Little Art Gallery. This was the library’s 25th anniversary.
- 1966 – Harley Price, a Hoover employee, bequeathed funds for an addition to be named in honor of his wife, Mary Hoover Price, tripling the size of the library when the addition was completed in November 1969. The total increase in space was from 8,400 square feet to 23,000 square feet. Book capacity increased from 40,000 to 82,000.
- 1968 – Friends of the Little Art Gallery was formed.
- 1981 – Friends of the North Canton Public Library was formed.
- 1983 – Videos were added to circulation.
- 1988 – Circulation reached 250,304, and included books, periodicals, large-print books, and audio and video cassettes.
- 1991 – The library initiated an online catalog system, one of the first in the area.
- 1996 – The children’s department underwent a major renovation. Total circulation reached 560,785.
- 1998 – The Helen Hoover Memorial Courtyard and Returning the Books sculpture were dedicated.
2000's - Today
- March 2001 – An addition added 7,000 square feet to the existing library. The three-story addition included new Audio-Visual and Fiction areas, a new art classroom, and new staff work areas as well as a new Magazine and Lounge area, new Circulation and Reference desks, a Young Adult corner, a new meeting room on the lower level, additional computers, handicapped accessible restrooms and elevator, and new ceilings, lighting and carpeting.
- 2009 – The most recent remodel was completed, including the children’s department.
- 2012 – Circulation reached 963,981
- 2013 – In its 85th year of service, the library rebranded with its current logo and “explore the world” tagline. New directional signage and marketing materials were added throughout the building. The new logo communicates all that we are today – a center for exploration.
2021 – In an attempt to improve accessibility to its collection, the library installed an outdoor pickup locker so that patrons can retrieve requested library materials anytime of the day or night. The lockers were purchased with funds obtained from a $25,000 CARES Act grant. The library also launched its Community Exploration pass program, which allows families to check out passes to the Akron Zoo, the McKinley Museum and Discovery Zone, the Akron Children’s Museum, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the Akron Art Museum. - 2022 – This was a big year for expansion of outreach programs as the library acquired its first outreach vehicle, a Sprinter Van, with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, and began a partnership with the City of North Canton to run Senior Center Programming at the North Canton Civic Center. The library also installed its StoryWalk® at Dogwood Park in the summer of 2022.
- 2023 – The library completed a lower-level renovation project that updated its Community Room and Staff Lounge. The library also became a certified U.S. passport acceptance facility.
- 2024 – Specs the Gecko joins the library! A new overflow parking lot is added to the corner of Portage and Ream thanks to generous financial support from the North Canton Library Association.
Get a snapshot of the library’s most recent year through a look at our annual report.
Who We Are
Library Hours and Location
TODAY'S HOURS
Closed Now
10:00 am - 8:00 pm
Library HOURS
Monday
10:00 am —
8:00 pm
Tuesday
10:00 am —
8:00 pm
Wednesday
10:00 am —
8:00 pm
Thursday
10:00 am —
8:00 pm
Friday
10:00 am —
6:00 pm
Saturday
10:00 am —
4:00 pm
Sunday
1:00 pm —
5:00 pm
Closed Sundays Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day
Location
185 N Main St,
North Canton, OH 44720
Please Note: Parking is available behind our building and is accessible via Ream Street.
Contact Information
What We Offer
Employment Opportunities
Get in Touch with the NCPL
Have questions? Need help finding something? We’re here to help!
