The Akron-Summit County Public Library is once again offering free parking downtown.
The library has agreed to pay about $44,000 a year to the city to allow patrons to park for up to an hour free during the day at the city-owned High/Market garage, which is connected to the main library.
The deal also provides for free nightly parking.
The change took effect Monday.
The city nixed some free parking at its eight downtown garages last June to raise revenue for deck maintenance.
But that move also negatively impacted the library, with some patrons who would have checked out materials or attended meetings and events instead deciding to stay away, library Director David Jennings said.
“That free hour means a lot to people,” he said.
Library patrons will have to have their parking ticket validated to take advantage of the perk.
Before June, people could park an hour for free at any of the city’s eight decks. But city leaders opted to start charging $1 for the first 30 minutes and $2 for the first hour during the week.
The city also began charging a flat rate of $2 after 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
At the time, the city estimated the change would bring in an additional $158,451 a year.
City spokeswoman Ellen Lander Nischt said the $44,000 represents the amount of revenue the city expects to lose with the free library parking.
Parking remains free Friday nights, Saturdays, Sundays and on the holidays at city garages.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @armonrickABJ .