Aurora Memorial Library

The genesis of the Aurora Memorial Library goes back to 1947, when a group of parents conceived a memorial to nine boys who died in WW II. Several lots were purchased at a sheriff's sale, and a boulder and cannon were placed there to honor the war dead.

In 1964, the idea of a library on the property was proposed and funds were donated by a local family. The original library, dedicated to the memory of George Byron Chapman, opened in 1966.

In May 1968, the East Wing was built with money donated by Kitty Riley Wheeler and provided the first home for the Aurora Historical Society Museum. In 1971, the Chapman family donated a Performing Arts Center.

Finally in 1991, public tax money was used for the first time to expand the library. A levy was passed and the building doubled in size. The museum and theatre benefited from the expansion as well.

In April 2010, the Library Express delivery service program arrived at the site (located near the branch's book return.)

Brimfield Library

In 2000, PCDL worked with Brimfield Township to open a library in the Brimfield Plaza shopping center.  Housed in what was previously a bank, the Brimfield Branch served the people of Brimfield for eleven years.  Unfortunately, sustained cuts to both the Public Library Fund and the Local Government Fund meant that PCDL and the Township were forced to shutter the branch in 2011.

With the support of Portage County voters during the November 2021 election, PCDL was able to deliver on the goal of establishing a new branch library in Southern Portage County.  The Brimfield Township Board of Trustees used one-time federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act to purchase a location for the branch in 2022.  The location, previously a daycare center, underwent renovations throughout 2023, and opened its doors to the public in January of 2024.

Garrettsville Library

The Garrettsville Branch was constructed on land donated by the community of Garrettsville in the Garrettsville Village Park. Completed in 1987, this facility also houses the Administration offices, Technical Services, and Outreach Services (includes Home Delivery & Library Express.)

Pierce Streetsboro Library

The first public library in Streetsboro opened in April 1976 after four years of planning and fundraising by the Streetsboro Library Trust. The original library building consisted of two ranch houses donated by an oil company that wanted to remove the houses from the potential site of a gas station. The two houses were moved to a lot on State Route 43, where they were transformed into the Streetsboro Branch of the Portage County District Library.

The staff and collection soon outgrew this building. In 1986, a federal grant was received to build a new library. This grant was matched by a gift of $200,000 donated by Royal and Lucille Pierce. Additional donations were made by local citizens and civic organizations. The new facility opened on November 1, 1988. 

Randolph Library

In October 1981, the Trustees of the Portage County District Library approached the Randolph Township Trustees about locating a temporary branch library in the community. A retired bookmobile was used as Randolph's first library. The Randolph Lions Club then raised $20,000 to renovate a pre-1900 storage garage.

This permanent library branch opened in October 1983. Due to a bequest of $40,000 from the Moyer family, an addition was built in 1990 which doubled the library's size.

In April 2010, a Library Express locker unit was relocated to the Randolph Library (adjacent to the building.)

Windham Library

The Windham Library was the first branch of the Portage County District Library. Grace Chamber started the small library in her home in 1939. A branch library opened in Windham Village in 1943. Portage County District Library also operated a branch at the Ravenna Arsenal in Windham. This was the only ordnance plant library in the United States. This branch provided service from 1942 until 1947.

The library then moved to the Community Center Complex, where it was housed until 1984. With the help of a Community Block Grant and the Friends of the Windham Library, the present building was renovated. The re-dedication ceremony took place in February 1987.

In February 2011, the Windham Library relocated to a space within the Renaissance Family Center.