The Northwest Akron Branch Library first opened as the Ayres Branch in 1958 in a house left to the library in the estate of Dr. Floyd F. Ayres whose will left the home, $50,000 and most of his assets to the library. A modern addition doubling the floor space of the building was completed at the rear of the house in 1965. The Northwest Akron American Institute of Architects, Akron Chapter, presented the 2004 Design Ward to the Northwest Akron Recreation Center/Northwest Branch Library. It is a member of the Akron-Summit County library system.