History of the Ritter Library

In December of 1918, the Vermilion Village Board of Education appointed a Library Board of Trustees. The newly appointed Trustees immediately began putting aside monies towards a building fund.

By 1934, the Library Trustees felt they had sufficient funds to begin construction of a building. Actual construction on the building began in January 1935. The library resided at that location until 1958. Until 1998, that building was home to the Vermilion Police Station.

In 1954, George Ritter contacted the Board of Trustees, offering to purchase property and build what is now, the current library, in memory of his parents. This building was formally opened to the public on Tuesday, December 16, 1958 and a formal dedication took place in May 1959.

In 1977, Mr. Ritter again contacted the Board of Trustees expressing an interest in contributing funds toward an addition. Construction on the new addition began in September 1982, adding approximately 5000 square feet and creating a second entrance which allows easier access to the Library for handicapped patrons.

By 1990, it became apparent that the library had once again outgrown the space. The building was not wired for technology, nor was there a logical division of space for the different areas of the collection. The Trustees and staff conducted a survey of current and future needs. It was determined that there was still the possibility of expanding the building to the property lines and adding a partial basement. After interviewing architects, the Trustees chose David Holzheimer Associates of Chagrin Falls to design a new facility.

The Trustees now had to sell the project to the community and for the first time since the library was established two issues were put before the voters. One was a bond issue to build the facility and the second was an operating levy to help with the daily operations. In November 1992, both issues passed.

In October 1993, the whole library was moved to the old Valley View School and operated from that facility for one year. On November 6, 1994, the Ritter Public Library reopened to the public at 5680 Liberty Ave. With help from the Vermilion City Council, Washington Street to the west was closed and the Trustees were able to purchase property to provide parking adjacent to the library.

In January 2002, the Trustees acquired property immediately east of the current building for future expansion. Currently, a portion of the building is utilized to provide increased meeting room space for community groups.

Today the library provides the residents of the Vermilion School District with a variety of  books and other materials as well as computers and links to the World Wide Web.