Burton Public Library Mission Statement

The Burton Public Library provides a broad range of materials, programs and 
resources to support the formal and informal educational needs of our community. Trained staff nurtures the ongoing partnership with our patrons in accessing information. 

News

View from the Director's Office
by Holly Manning Lynn, Library Director

By now many of you know that 2010 is the Burton Public Library’s centennial.  
From the Civic Improvement Society’s dream in 1910, to today’s library with 
computers, the Internet and databases, we have grown to meet the needs of 
our community.  We want to thank you for all of your support.  We would not 
have grown to become one of Ohio’s finest small town libraries without it.

In celebration of Burton’s history, we will be working with the Burton Historic 
District Association (BHDA) on the Burton Memory Project.  The Burton Public 
Library will be the drop-off location for historical documents, letters, diaries, 
and interviews. We will then digitize the documents and return them to the owner.  
With the BHDA, we hope to make our valuable histories more accessible by 
posting the archives online.  Beginning January 15th, we will be accepting your 
contributions to this special project made possible through a memorial fund we 
received from Tucker Pfouts, who valued the importance of local history.   
Please drop-off your archives by appointment only.  Just call the library at 
440.834.4466 to make arrangements.

To view similar memory projects go to http://www.ohiosheritagenortheast.org/.

Policies & Services

Click here for information regarding library policies and services.

Board & Staff

These are the people who make your visit to the library more pleasant.

History

The Burton Public Library was established by the Civic Improvement Society, an organization of Burton women, in 1910.

One of the library's first homes was the Crittenden Drug Store in the East Block of the stores uptown. In 1912 the library moved to the Johnson Store building across the alley from the north end of the East Block. This building was later moved to the Geauga County Historical Society and is now known as the Crossroads Country Store. Next the library moved to the Webster Building on Kirtland Street and then to the basement of the Olds Block which was near the site of the present post office building. 

The library finally found a permanent home in 1937 when it moved to its present location which is known as the Second High School. This building was built in 1884. The Library was reorganized in 1937 as a school district library and became known as the Burton Public Library.

Ground was broken in August of 1981 to start work on the Helen K. Merritt Reading Room as well as our newly renovated library facilities.

Get a Card!

Any Ohio resident can apply for a Burton Public Library card. Come to the library and fill out an application. You'll need to bring proof of identification with your current address, such as a current Ohio driver's license. You may choose from either a wallet card or a key chain card. You'll receive your new library card immediately and may begin using it right away. Your Burton Public Library card can be used at any CLEVNET library.

Become a Library Volunteer! 

We rely on the support of volunteers. Student volunteers help in the children's department. Adult volunteers help with special projects & book-sorting. Stop in at the library to let us know when you are available!

last modified December 3, 2009