Announcing the Temporary Relocation of our Main Library

All Main Library public services and most Main Library staff departments will be temporarily moving this summer from our current building to 1020 Market Ave N (formerly known as the Nationwide Building) as we prepare for the next phase in construction of our Re|imagine 2.0 New Main Library Campus. Demolition of the existing Main Library building, and construction of the New Main Library building and grounds, are expected to start in December of this year. The temporary location at 1020 Market Ave N will function as our Main Library location, including normal hours of operation and all current services, during construction of our New Main Library Campus which is expected to take three years to complete.

We will take possession of the temporary location this spring and will begin preparing the location to be fully operational for patrons by September 2025. Public service is of utmost importance to all Stark Library staff during this upcoming transition. Main Library service will be temporarily interrupted for the month of August – exact dates TBD. In July of this year, our Administration departments will move to the temporary location, while Public Service departments will move over sometime in August.

“As we have developed our New Main Library Campus construction plan, it became clear that we would not be able to remain open in our current location and safely provide services to our patrons. We always want to put our patrons (and staff’s) needs first and foremost and are excited to be able to offer full services including access to technology, training, our collection, and so much more starting this fall at our temporary location,” from Mary Ellen Icaza, CEO and Executive Director of Stark Library.

Main Library Campus Re|imagined

We are so excited to share the exterior renderings of both the new Main Library and the Operations Center, and a new site plan for the property.

The decision to “build new” for our Main Library follows several years of research and planning - including analysis of renovating our existing building as well as surveying various buildings in our immediate Downtown Canton area. After all options were considered, we determined building a new Main Library within the boundaries of our existing property was not only the least expensive method but would allow us maximum efficiency and flexibility for providing updated facility, technology, and resources to our patrons.

Updated Renderings of NEW Main Library (As of 11/2024):

Main Library (View from Northeast)

Main Library (View from Southeast)

Main Library (View from Southwest)

Renderings of NEW Main Library (As of 07/2024):

Main Library (View from Southeast)

Main Library (View from East)

Main Library (View from South)

Main Library (View from Northeast)

Main Library (View from Southwest)

Operations Center Re|imagined

In the Summer of 2023, we began work with HBM Architects on the design of both the new Main Library and Operations Center. To start the design process for our new buildings, we gathered feedback from staff, our community, and the Library Board, and asked them what they thought a Main Library and Operations Center should provide to both the Downtown Canton community as well as all Stark County residents. Information gathered from these groups was integral in both the work of HBM, and our internal design committee.

Operations Center (View from Main Library)

Operations Center (View from East)

Operations Center (View from Southeast)

Operations Center (View from Southwest)

In July of 2024, we proudly presented our innovative designs to the City of Canton's Architectural Review Board, where we received their approval to move forward with our Main Campus Re|imagine projects.

Construction is underway on our new Operations Center (groundbreaking was in September of 2024), and is expected to be completed in the Fall of 2025.

We will be continually updating this webpage on construction progress - see image galleries below.

As part of our systemwide Re|imagine project, we are transforming your Library into a more inviting space to inspire and empower you to pursue creativity and lifelong learning.

Re|imagine is our plan to live out our mission and vision in Stark County. It is a multi-year plan to renovate our buildings, upgrade our technology, and create more flexible spaces for a wide range of use.

The new Main Library in downtown Canton will be a center for learning and knowledge, and a “third space” where people gather to relax, imaginations soar, and creativity grows.

COMMUNITY INPUT GATHERING:

Check out the compiled results of engagement sessions held by HBM and MKSK with our staff and community members - this also includes the session HBM had with local TomTod students (see full TomTod project below).
CLICK HERE

Site Plan

Features Will Include:

Interactive Children’s Play and Learning Area
Large Meeting Rooms
Collaborative Workspaces
Rooftop Terrace
Maker Studio
Genealogy Collection
Community Stairway
New Technologies
Flexible Spaces
Community Green Space

TomTod Students help Re|imagine new Main Library Campus

As part of the early design process for our new Main Library, Stark Library and TomTod Ideas, a local youth education nonprofit, created an eight week collaborative program that introduced middle schoolers to library operations and our large building project taking place from 2024-2028.

Each week participants were asked to provide feedback or generate ideas based on a guiding question related to library operations or spaces and present ideas for how to make spaces more engaging for youth.

Example guiding questions included:

How can we …
- explore the current library’s services and buildings?
- create a draft design for a new library tech and maker space?
- create a draft design for a teen space that kids want to visit and has resources kids need?
- draft designs for a usable and inviting outdoor space?

At the end of the program, the students presented the library with a student idea book that is being used by library leadership and HBM architects for planning the new Main Library campus.