Culture & AV

About the Division

Culture & AV division, located on the 2^nd floor of Main Library offers a wide variety of entertainment selections and cultural information.  Our collection includes thousands of print and audiovisual materials.

Culture & AV maintains a comprehensive collection in adult fiction in a variety of genres.  The library’s book collection includes romance, black fiction, mysteries, science fiction, inspiration, westerns and graphic novels.  We also have books covering art, music, sports, and film.  While Large Print books include fiction, nonfiction, and biographies.

We have an in-depth selection of books on religion, language instruction, biographies, crafts, games, and antiques and collectibles.  An extensive collection of DVD’s and Blu-Rays from silent and foreign classics to the latest box office hits are always a winner in our division.  We also have a sizeable TV series collection and nonfiction titles covering a multitude of subjects.

A popular part of our service is our vast selection CD’s, including classical, jazz, country, world music, and pop hits. Looking for an audio book? Browse our extensive selection of both fiction and non-fiction BOCDs and Playaways. 

Unique to Culture & AV is our collection of Song Books/Sheet Music, Plays, Foreign Languages books and films, Book Club To Go, Akron Art Library and Recreation Library of Things.  Need a quiet place to study, learn, and gather then come in and request one of our Quiet Study Rooms or check out our meeting rooms for larger groups and events. 

Engaging and exciting programming for everyone is a signature of the Culture & AV division. The Main Event: Many Voices Speakers features prominent voices from the worlds of literature, the arts, politics and journalism. Past speakers include Eve Ensler, Chuck Klosterman, Augusten Burroughs, Amy Sedaris, Colum McCann, Gary Shteyngart, David Giffels, Temple Grandin, Chuck D, Tyler Merritt, Alexander McCall Smith, Will Shortz, Billy Collins, Derf Backderf, Dani Shapiro, and Leonard Maltin. 

Other programs include our weekly Movies@Main, young adult meet and greet programs, annual Martin Luther King Jr lecture, P2PU series, ReelAbilities Film Festival, Mind, Body & Sole, On-Your Own Book Club, Susan Cannavino Zoom presentations, YA for Not So YA Book Club, and other in person and zoom author and speaker events.  Keep an eye out for our live concerts with groups like Jazz with Joe Augustine & his trio, Boogey Woogy with Matthew Ball and Esto Jazz.  There is something for everyone to enjoy!