Nordonia Hills Branch Library celebrates 25 years in current location

by Michele Collins

The Akron-Summit County Public Library system is celebrating its 150th anniversary serving the greater Summit County community with a full slate of events and activities.

But its Nordonia Hills Branch Library is celebrating an anniversary of its own: 25 years of being housed at its 9458 Olde 8 Rd. location in Northfield.

The Nordonia branch actually began at The Palmer House Museum on Olde 8 Road, a building that previously housed historical families and then Nordonia Hills School Distict personnel before becoming a museum for Sagamore Hills, Northfield Village, Northfield Center and Macedonia. When the library grew too large for the Palmer House, it moved to a building at 9390 Olde 8 Rd. before settling in its current location, which is now 25 years old.

Sarah Rosenberger, the Nordonia Hills branch manager, said the library held a celebration on June 9, which featured a look back at the library building’s 25 years in existence.

“We did a slide presentation where we showed some historical photos of the Palmer House, and the original branch building, as well as the ribbon-cutting ceremony we had held for the building 25 years ago,” said Rosenberger. “There were people at our celebration that saw much younger versions of themselves or their children in the photos from the branch’s opening. Many of us remarked that it did not seem like that was 25 years ago.”

In addition to the presentation, the library offered sweet treats for the children in attendance, as well as a chance to see the library’s many summer reading opportunities.

“We have also added to our programming this fall as a result of our celebration, as well as in recognition of the Akron Summit Library’s sesquicentennial celebration,” she said.

Some of the special events for the fall include a postcard art show, in which people use library art supplies to create a card for display at the library; a baking demonstration; a lunch and learn session for seniors to learn about the dangers of scams; a murder mystery event, and more. Most programs require advanced registration by visiting the “Upcoming Events” section at akronlibrary.org/locations/nordonia-hills.

Rosenberger said that one of the events the main library hosted this year, in conjunction with the branch libraries, was a Passport Program.

“This program encouraged children to visit the 13 library branches and receive a ‘passport stamp’ at each one,” she said. “What it did was allow families to see all of the different offerings of the Akron Summit libraries.”

She said in addition to the passport program and library programs, the library staff and friends of the libraries attended a gala at the Akron Civic Theater in June.

“It really was a chance to celebrate 150 years of providing our library services to the community,” said Rosenberger. “To realize we have been here that long, and are still going strong it really makes you think about what having a library means to each community.”

While the Nordonia Hills Branch has physically remained the same over the past 25 years, services have evolved.

“Our services over the past 25 years have had many changes, including a move towards making more downloadable e-books an e-audio available to patrons, circulating internet hotspots and passes to local attractions including the Akron Zoo and Stan Hywet, and allowing walk-in and for-profit use of our meeting rooms,” said Rosenberger. ∞

Volunteers carry boxes of books to the Palmer House Museum on Olde 8 Road, which
was the former home of the library. Photo submitted.

On our cover (photos): The Nordonia Hills Branch Library has stood in its current location at 9458 Olde 8 Rd. for 25 years. It was previously housed in the Palmer House Museum before being moved to a temporary location at 9390 Olde 8 Rd. (black and white photo from 1965). Photo by Laura Bednar. Black and white photo submitted.