Enduring the Legacy of “Free To The People”:

Andrew Carnegie & The Kent Free Library

Kent Free Library stands as a testament to both the enduring legacy of Andrew Carnegie and the tenacity of the Kent community. Originally built in 1902, this iconic structure owes its existence to the philanthropic wave initiated by Carnegie, who funded the construction of over 2,500 libraries worldwide in 52 years. Andrew Carnegie passed away only 16 years after the construction of the Kent Free Library, at 83 years old. Despite mixed opinions on whether Carnegie's generosity stemmed from genuine altruism or an attempt to atone for past business practices, his impact on communities like Kent is undeniable.

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The magnitude of Carnegie’s achievement is impressive. In 1881 he began investing in libraries at a time when access to books was limited and costly, with many people paying hefty fees to borrow books. 1911 was his peak year, seeing the construction of over 130 Carnegie Public Libraries around the world in one year. Approximately 1,000 Carnegie Libraries in the world feature the inscription “Free to the People” on their buildings. This includes the library in Kent where this inscription can be found above the original entrance below the inscription “Library”(look closely). Carnegie's vision was to democratize access to knowledge, setting the standard for libraries as free public services worldwide. Kent’s participation in this movement, initiated by a tenacious letter to Carnegie, underscores the city’s proactive spirit in seizing this opportunity without an invitation.

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A Brief History

In 1875, employees of the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad laid the foundation for Kent's first book-lending institution. It was called “Atlantic & Great Western Railroad Reading-Room Association”. Members were railroad employees who paid one dollar per year for each book borrowed, with a borrowing period of three months per book. The library, after only nine years, in 1884 closed its doors. This quickly prompted members of the community to conceive & form both the “Kent Secular Union Library” & “Kent Library Association”. By 1892 “a Free Public Library and Reading Room was established and located in the Worthington Block on Water Street”[Carnegie Libraries of Ohio: Our Cultural Heritage; Mary Ellen Armentrout, PAGE 81] This was a significant expense, reflecting the era before the widespread establishment of free public libraries.

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Initially housed in rented “reading-rooms” above the original Erie railroad depot—now offices above the Over Easy Café—the library quickly became a cherished community resource. Recognizing the need for a permanent library, members of the Kent Village Council and Library Board sent a heartfelt letter to Andrew Carnegie's private summer residence called “Skibo Castle” near Dornoch in the Country of Sutherland in the Highlands of Scotland. In the letter they expressed “Kent had a population of 5,000 laboring people, an intelligent reading class of people. This showed interest in participating in his global library funding efforts. The letter did not specify an amount; the $10000 grant price was determined upon the agreement of Carnegie himself.

The land for this endeavor was generously donated by Marvin Kent, the town's namesake and a prominent local businessman raised in Ravenna. Notably, Marvin Kent had also donated land for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent, the oldest continuously operating church building in Kent, which has never changed its denomination or congregation. In 1902, Carnegie granted the requested funds, equivalent to approximately $336,000 today. By the spring of 1903, “the Greek revival building of gray brick with stone trim…” designed by Cleveland’s very own Charles W Hopkinson[architect], officially opened its doors in September of the same year.

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‍Growth and Evolution  

The original structure's basement was remodeled in 1928, and the library underwent expansions in 1961, 1977, and 1984. The most significant transformation occurred in 2005, when the library's footprint expanded fourfold. While preserving the original structure, the renovation added acres of new space, transforming the once-small library into a sprawling hub of knowledge and community engagement. Today, the library boasts state-of-the-art technology, computer labs, conference rooms, and various community services. Although 3D printing services were recently cut due to the uncontrollable market value of materials, the library's previous offering of such innovative services highlights its commitment to staying current with modern needs.

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Fun Fact  

It is stated on page 81 of “Carnegie Libraries of Ohio; Our Cultural Heritage” that after the completion of the original 1902 Kent Free Library structure, “in 1904” its design was showcased at The Chicago Centennial Exposition, also known as the World's Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago from May 1 to October 30, 1893. This book is currently located, as mentioned below in this article, at the Kent Free Library.

As you can tell the dates don’t line up, but one could suspect it may be true that at a different convention/world-exposé; the library's design was “showcased as the ‘Perfect $10000 Building’” highlighting its architectural significance and efficient use of funds. It has been proven false, however, that our building was showcased at the Chicago Centennial Exposition(world fair) in 1893.

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‍Carnegie's Global Impact

Andrew Carnegie's legacy extends far beyond Kent. He funded the construction of 2,509 libraries worldwide, with 104 of them located in Ohio. Today, many of these libraries worldwide still stand, serving as vital community resources and historical landmarks. Many have been lost to time or repurposed to serve as something other than a library. The largest Carnegie library in the world is only about 82 miles East of the Kent Free Library. It is called the “Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh”[CLP]; in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was completed 8 years before the library in Kent. The original CLP construction was 250,000 square feet, still serving as the main library for the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh System(Originally 12 libraries, now 19), and the 1895 CLP building grew over time to about 300,000 square feet now. ‍

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The Significance of Kent’s Carnegie Library

Kent, Ohio's involvement in the Carnegie library movement is notable. The city proactively requested participation, ensuring the establishment of a Carnegie library that has stood the test of time. The Kent Free Library remains operational, reflecting the community’s commitment. In Ohio, many of the 104 Carnegie libraries no longer function as libraries, leading to their repurposing or demolition. Globally, while many Carnegie libraries have been repurposed or demolished, Kent's library continues to serve its original purpose, highlighting the lasting impact of Carnegie’s vision and community dedication.

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In the “Ohio History” room on the first floor of the original Kent Free Library building, you'll find "Carnegie Libraries of Ohio; Our Cultural Heritage" by Mary Ellen Armentrout. This book details 82 of Ohio’s 104 Carnegie libraries. On page 81, it discusses the Kent library, which received one of the lowest grants and was among the smallest in square footage. The last Ohio Carnegie library, the Superior Branch in Cleveland, was completed in 1920, 18 years after Kent's. Closed in 1990 and now abandoned, it was replaced by the Langston Hughes branch in 1998.

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Conclusion

The Kent Free Library is more than just the name of a building housing a free library; it symbolizes the resilience and forward-thinking spirit of Kent, Ohio. Despite the challenges and modest funds, the community's determination transformed a $10000 grant into a sprawling, modern library that continues to serve and inspire future generations. It is easy to drive by or walk by the 100+ year old Kent Free Library building today and underestimate its impact despite its obvious footprint. The hope is that this article will provide further insight and appreciation for our local free library in individuals who might not have it already. To qualify for a Kent Free Library card - you merely need to be living (with an address), own property, work or attend a school within the state of Ohio. With your card, you’ll be able to access all member libraries in the Portage Library Consortium. At the Kent Free Library; there is unlimited access to free services as well as cost-effective services that cannot be free but are exacerbating to receive elsewhere. This deeply enhances the lives of every member. If you are a resident of Kent, but not a member of this library yet, I wholeheartedly encourage you to go to The Kent Free Library and apply for membership today.

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Location & Directory of Information on The Kent Free Library:

With more abundant parking and immediate access to almost all downtown amenities;

The Kent Free Library is located at  

312 W. Main St., Kent, OH 44240.

The operational hours are

Monday-Thursday 9 AM to 9 PM, Friday 9 AM to 6 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM, and Sunday 1PM to 5 PM.

You can also call their toll free phone line at +1 (330) 673-4414 anytime during operational hours.

An employee of the library who is on-site will answer your phone call and be happy to answer any questions or ‘point you in the right direction’ for information, services, or anything you desire that the library will be able to help with. If the library is closed or the person/resource you’re looking for is not available when you make your call, there are multiple methods of leaving the library or staff member a voice message provided to anyone who needs that as well. From my own experience this library and its staff are quickly and efficiently responsive.

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