The Space Usage Feasibility Study for Akron-Summit County Public Library was designed with a strong commitment to staff and community engagement. The study addresses two primary influences affecting all ASCPL facilities:
- Evolving Demands: Resident needs and aspirations have shifted with cultural, economic, and technological change, requiring facilities to adapt to new service priorities.
- Facility Age: By 2030, branches will range from 22 to 31 years old, with two over 40 years old. Most facilities have not received significant capital improvements since opening, underscoring the need for reinvestment.
The study provides a framework for decisions about how, when, and where to invest in ASCPL’s physical spaces. Recommendations were informed by resident priorities, demographic trends, facility conditions, and the Library’s strategic service goals. They establish parameters for system-wide and branch-specific improvements while leaving detailed design solutions to be developed in future community-driven processes.
The process was structured in three phases: Discovery, Assessment, and Engagement; Analysis and Alignment; and Documentation and Presentation. Beginning in September 2024, the team toured every facility, conducted a staff survey, and facilitated six staff visioning workshops, including two focused on Main Library. In November and December, residents participated in four in-person community conversations and an online survey that received more than 1,750 responses. Draft recommendations were released in early 2025 for public feedback, and the final feasibility study was presented to the Board of Library Trustees in March 2025.
The resulting recommendations reflect ASCPL’s commitment to facilities that are functional, efficient, and welcoming, ensuring that as the Library moves deeper into the 21st century, all branches can serve Akron and Summit County residents effectively and equitably.
