If you're visiting one of the Kent campus library branches and don't have a Kent State parking pass, there are two options for parking: the Student Center Visitor Lot and metered parking spaces.

Visitor Parking

Parking Lots

Visitors without a Kent State parking pass may park in the Student Center Visitor Lot (maximum rate $6 per visit), located on Risman Drive. If you are using a GPS device for navigation, we recommend using the address 1130 Risman Drive as the destination. Parking in the Visitor Lot is free after 6pm on Fridays and on weekends. The lot is closed from 3 – 5 a.m., Monday through Friday. The Visitor Lot is a 5 minute (0.2 mile) walk to University Library/Special Collections & Archives, and a 12 – 15 minute walk (0.6 – 0.8 mile) to the Fashion Library, Map Library, Architecture Library, and Performing Arts Library. The Student Center Visitor Lot includes disability parking spaces.

For KSU community members with valid parking passes, the Kent Campus interactive parking map can help you find lots near the Libraries compatible with your pass.

Metered Parking

There is also metered parking available within a short walk of the Kent Campus library locations:

• For visitors to University Library and Special Collections & Archives: outside Fletcher Hall
• For visitors to the Performing Arts Library: outside the Center for Performing Arts and outside Prentice Hall
• For visitors to the Architecture, Fashion, or Map Libraries: outside Rockwell Hall

Exact locations of metered parking can be found on the printable Kent State parking map.

Directions

From I-76 W — approximately 10 minutes:

1. Take exit 33 toward Kent/OH-43/Hartville 
2. Turn right onto OH-43 N (3 miles)
3. Turn right onto Summit St. (approximately 1 mile to visitor lot)

From I-76 E — approximately 10 minutes:

1. Take exit 33 toward Kent/OH-43/Hartville 
2. Turn left onto OH-43 N (3 miles)
3. Turn right onto Summit St. (approximately 1 mile to visitor lot)

From 480 E — approximately 20 minutes:

1. Continue onto OH-14 E
2. Turn right onto OH-43 S/Cleveland Canton Rd (6.5 miles)
3. Turn left onto Haymaker Pkwy (.3 miles)
4. Turn right onto S Water St. (500 feet)
5. Turn left onto Summit St. (approximately 1 mile to visitor lot)

From OH-91 N — approximately 15 minutes:

1. Continue on OH-91 N
2. Turn right onto OH-59 E/Kent Rd (4.4 miles)
3. Turn right onto S Water St. (500 feet)
4. Turn left onto Summit St. (approximately 1 mile to visitor lot)

From OH-91 S — approximately 15 minutes:

1. Continue on OH-91 S
2. Turn left onto OH-59 E/Kent Rd (4.4 miles)
3. Turn right onto S Water St. (500 feet)
4. Turn left onto Summit St. (approximately 1 mile to visitor lot)

From I-80 E — approximately 30 minutes:

1. Take exit 180 for OH-8 S
2. Keep right and continue/merge toward OH-8 S (6.9 miles)
3. Take the Graham Rd exit toward Silver Lake/Stow
4. Turn left onto Graham Rd (3.7 miles)
5. Turn right onto Fishcreek Rd (1 mile)
6. Turn left onto OH-59 E/Kent Rd (2 miles)
7. Turn right onto S Water St. (500 feet)
8. Turn left onto Summit St. (approximately 1 mile to visitor lot)

From I-80 W — approximately 30 minutes:

1. Take exit 187 for OH-14 toward I-480/Cleveland/Streetsboro
2. Keep left, follow signs for OH-14 E (2 miles)
3. Turn right onto OH-43 S/Cleveland Canton Rd (6.5miles)
4. Turn left onto Haymaker Pkwy (.3 miles)
5. Turn right onto S Water St. (500 feet)
6. Turn left onto Summit St. (approximately 1 mile to visitor lot)

From OH-8 S — approximately 20 minutes:

1. Take the Graham Rd exit toward Silver Lake/Stow
2. Turn left onto Graham Rd (3.7 miles)
3. Turn right onto Fishcreek Rd (1 mile)
4. Turn left onto OH-59 E/Kent Rd (2 miles)
5. Turn right onto S Water St. (500 feet)
6. Turn left onto Summit St. (approximately 1 mile to visitor lot)

From OH-8 N — approximately 20 minutes:

1. Take the OH-59 E/Front St exit toward Stow
2. Merge onto OH-59 E/Front St
3. Continue to Follow OH-59 E (6.5 miles)
4. Turn right onto S Water St. (500 feet)
5. Turn left onto Summit St. (approximately 1 mile to visitor lot)