The Seville Community Library was the third library established in Medina County in 1961 and the first to construct a building; Lodi and Brunswick were the other two. Medina’s Franklin Sylvester Library bookmobile started making stops in Seville in 1950. The community grew over the years (in the early 60's the bookmobile circulated 500 books each time it stopped in Seville) and the residents wanted their own library. The Seville Friends of the Library, the Seville Lions, and Dandy Lions were instrumental in making the library a reality, but it was a total community effort.
The site for the building was the former Hosmer park. The town supplied the building and Franklin Sylvester Library provided the librarian’s salary, paid for the utilities, supplied the furnishings, and filled the shelves with a rotating collection from the State Library. Many of the town’s businesses supplied materials and volunteers did most of the work, from pouring the foundation to painting and laying tile. According to the Seville Chronicle in the summer of 1961, “Virtually every member of the Lions Club contributed both financially and in time to the project this summer. Many men learned new skills on the job. Finish carpentry, painting, and other chores were attempted by men more accustomed to handling a pen.”
Opening day was November 28, 1961. Mrs. Virginia Mason, the librarian, and Mrs. Kraver from the Medina library issued 267 library cards and checked out over 500 books in 5 ½ hours.
Use of the library and circulation grew steadily through the years and expansion became necessary. In 1985, Irene Welday bequeathed $100,000 to build an addition and in the spring of 1986 the Irene Welday wing was opened. In 1996 over 95,000 books, videos and other materials were circulated to Seville residents.
