Rodman Public Library opened in 1963. Before September 2005, the only renovations had been one small addition to the children's room in 1972 and a new roof in 2002. The 42-year old building needed a facelift.
The cost of the renovations is estimated at $2.1 million and the project will last approximately until December 2006. A total of $110,000 in gifts for the project have been received from Greater Alliance Foundation, The Butler Wick Foundation, the Flowers Foundation, and the Friends of Rodman Library. The Library has committed $1.7 million for the project which had been set aside over the years.