Public Library, Ravenna, Ohio

The Portage County Library Association was incorporated March 2, 1915 with the help of the Tuesday Club of Ravenna. They served as volunteer librarians until the first librarian was hired in 1915. In the early days the library occupied many locations in downtown Ravenna until Judge Cornelius Reed offered $25,000 for a new building if a site could be found. The H.W. Riddle heirs agreed to sell the present site of the library if a building could be constructed within two years. They donated one half of the price of the site and 22 members of the community agreed to pay the rest. Clubs and individuals met the rest of the construction expenses. [SOURCE] [LIB3135]