Marvin Memorial Library began June 4, 1897, as a reading room for men and boys who worked in the local factories. It was located in a small rented room at the Sutter-Higgins block on East Main Street. Miss Carrie Marvin was hired as the first librarian of the 300 book collection. The librarian’s uncle, Daniel Marvin, took interest in the reading room and saw a need for better accommodations. He purchased a house on West Whitney Avenue for $6,500.00 and presented it to the city. Marvin never lived in the home. The original Classic Revival and Greek Revival house was built in 1867 by Dr. William Riley Bricker.

Daniel Marvin was the son of Stephen and Sarah (Burr) Marvin, who built the first frame house in Shelby, located at 57 N. Gamble Street. A veteran of the Civil War, he participated in the battles of Shiloh & Stones River, and was severely wounded. He studied law, went to California during the gold rush, and returned to Ohio before the war.

At the dedication of the new library, Shelby Mayor B. F. Long said of Daniel Marvin, “As I look at the beautiful grounds, commodious buildings and see how nicely the rooms have been papered, carpeted and furnished, it is with a feeling of admiration that one single individual out of the depths of his generosity and philanthropy had made such bounties a possibility. I am not here to make a speech but I wish to voice my sentiments and the sentiments of every individual within the limits of this municipality when I say that Hon. Daniel Marvin has erected a monument to moral and intellectual progress of Shelby and unconsciously one to himself which will be more enduring than brass or marble.” His generosity to the city was greatly appreciated and memorialized in the name of the library.

From humble beginnings more than 110 years ago as Miss Carrie Marvin’s Reading Room, to a state-of-art vibrant community gathering place today, Marvin Memorial Library remains true to the intent of benefactor Daniel Marvin – to be the intellectual, educational, cultural, and recreational heart of the community.

The library has made renovations and additions over the years:

• 1904 – The front portico and columns were added. Mr. Marvin thought the house needed a grander entrance.
• 1909 – The front porch was remodeled.
• 1925 – A room addition was added to the north side of the house.
• 1964 – A new addition was built to the west of the house, which included a basement work space, storage for newspapers/periodicals, and restrooms.
• 1987 – The original house was named to the National Register of Historic Places.
• 1990 – The latest addition was added, which included additional work space, a new circulation desk, an elevator, a new staircase to the basement, and a new entrance and foyer.
• 2022 – The pavilion was enclosed and became the Kerr Garden Room, creating more space for library programs or events, and another meeting room available to patrons.