The Fairlawn-Bath Branch Library is located in western Summit County and is accessible from Interstate 77 to West Market St. or to Cleveland-Massillon Rd.
The new Fairlawn-Bath Branch replaces the McDowell Branch Library. The McDowell Branch had its roots in the Bath Branch which opened in 1964 in an old house on Ira Road. Bath Branch became part of the Akron system in April 1966. In 1967 the branch was expanded through renovation of a small barn behind the house called The Book Barn.
A new branch at the present location to serve Bath, Copley Township and Fairlawn Village was dedicated on December 12, 1971. It was named for C. Blake McDowell, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Akron-Summit County Public Library from 1932 until his retirement in 1976. The building won a Civic Design Award in May 1972. The 9,400 square foot building cost $411,400 for construction and $29,000 for land.
Current library statistics indicate that Fairlawn-Bath Branch in 2004 circulated 384,560 items and has a collection size of 60,444 books and other materials.
We are open 6 days a week to meet your needs for education, information and recreation.
Our friendly, skilled staff includes a branch librarian, who is also the adult services librarian, and two professional librarians to address the needs of children from infants through young adults, public service assistants, and student assistants.
