Toledo-Lucas County Public Library

On line site appears useless! I tried several times to download several different versions of the same book, hit the «download» button and was re-​routed to a blank page where nothing happened! Their mobile app is just as useless!

Its OK, just. I had to go in to copy a police report on a photo copier. I walk in, to find wasteful cable TV’s without sound, behind glass. This wastes our tax money on cable. It also wastes electricity, no matter how low voltage the TV’s are. The staff members appeared to be doing something. A few were actively helping people. I saw one employee ignoring me, while she read a book. She was right behind the copier, so it was not hard to see her. I originally did not know where the copier was. I was going to ask her. But another employee got to me, when I appeared to be disturbed by not being helped by the reading perso. Behind the counter. If she was researching and not reading a novel, I could understand. I also found that the copier is 20 cents. When I filed my protection order at the courthouse down the street, the copier was just 5 cents. No good reason at all to gouge me for money. You get enough of it already! Not by my choice either.
Both the staff member behind the counter ignoring me, for a book and price gouging for photocopies… Not too impressed.

When I was in high school I was here 2 times a week either working on school stuff or just browsing the stacks randomly. The selection of books goes way beyond the standard public library fare such as home improvement books, bestsellers, and free DVD rentals. You can learn about things like the history of Poland, number theory, psychoanalysis, music theory, ancient greek philosophers, political science, marketing strategies, language structure, etc. What I’m trying to say is that the downtown library is one of the few places around here that you can just let your self be curious and learn in an open-​ended fashion. Even in the age of the internet and amazon prime delivery, nothing can replace the experience of just wondering around aimlessly through such a massive collection of physical knowledge, being able to just randomly pick up books and flip through them, and being shown that you don’t really know anything in the grand scheme of things. The trajectory of my life would be so different if not for the downtown Toledo Library as a result of it opening up my perspective to things outside of just the area that I grew up.
It’s a major gift to the Toledo area and should not be taken for granted. I’ve lived many other places besides Toledo and still I always wish I had this wonderful resource available to me.

I can still remember the first time my Grandma took me to the Main Library. It’s amazing! There are so many books, it could make your head spin. And the building is gorgeous! Grand, open, old, with many cozy corners to settle with a book. The Columbus main library is okay, but I don’t understand why people rave about that one. Toledo’s is the best!

This is a wonderful library. I don’t have kids, but if you do, you should take them to the children’s floor. It is amazing! In addition to a good new book display, they also have a great range of DVD’s and CD’s to check out. They have a few films that are hard to find in other places. And the librarians are also really helpful if you have any trouble finding anything. They also put on a lot of cool events. Toledo is lucky to have a library like this.

Now THIS is what a library should be! Wow! If I were a kid again, I would want to hang out here all the time. The children’s floor is truly spectacular! There is a fund for this library specifically designated to collect original illustrations of children’s books – and what a collection they have! And how uniquely displayed! Lining all the walls of that floor are original pieces of artwork, with a summary of the book underneath, and then a low shelf with the actual book under the art work. There are pieces from many different time periods and the curator of the collection is SO knowledgeable and passionate about her collection. The rest of the layout of this floor is really beautiful – a giant aquarium where the photo of a fish would have gone, encased in what looks to be a floor to ceiling book about fish. There is a «Once upon a time» floor to ceiling replica of a book that has a cutout for a doorway. It is simply a magical and inspiring place and if you live anywhere near Toledo, you should take your child there often! I also visited the special collections room on the top floor, since they were displaying the work of an artist I’m writing a book about. The staff is friendly and helpful and it was a pleasure to deal with everyone there! They also had a café in the basement and easy parking! Hooray for Toledo Library!

One will never be able to fully appreciate and value of Toledo’s Library System until they have moved away and no longer have access.
This is a gem in Toledo… a valuable gem that other cities don’t have… and cannot even begin to imagine! Could this be the reason that Toledoans have superior intelligence to other citizens of cities around the nation? LOL I can attest to several cities that could really… really use some books! LOL
I have lost many hours looking at books and reading in the niches of the library… yes, indeed… one of my happy places!
Free Video rentals, books, magazines, internet access, more books… new books, archives, newspapers… What don’t they have? You could earn a degree with the books that they offer… and in a case where they don’t have a certain book… another branch probably will. They will order it and have it delivered to your branch within a couple of days. Now that is service… and FREE!
Simply Amazing! I would love to visit the Libraries that were ranked higher… they must be something to see!

Oh Toledo library how I miss thee. I’m so sorry I took you for granted the 15 years we were together. The Chicago Public Library doesn’t even compare to your vast selection of books, CD’s, and DVD’s, and your user friendly system. I can’t even bring myself to visit you when I’m in town because I’m afraid I will never visit a Chicago library again. Toledo doesn’t have much, but it has you. And you are fabulous.

I make people jealous by telling them about my library… how may people can say that.
Make sure to read the comment board when you at main… FREAKIN HILARIOUS!

Amazing selection, a nice place to waste an afternoon.