Whitehouse

Why is the Toledo Lucas County Public Library building a new branch in Whitehouse?

For nearly 30 years, residents of Whitehouse have been interested in having their own public library that is part of the Toledo Lucas County Public Library system. While TLCPL trustees determined the population in Whitehouse hadn’t reached a critical mass to support branch services, that has changed in recent years. During the 2024 campaign for the Library’s bond issue, the Library announced that growth in the region and longstanding support for the volunteer library suggest the time has arrived for Whitehouse to host a TLCPL branch.

How is the new Whitehouse Branch being funded?

In November 2024, Lucas County voters approved a 1-mill bond issue to fund capital projects throughout the Toledo Lucas County Public Library system, including a new Whitehouse Branch. This was the first time in 30 years that the Library had gone to voters seeking capital funding support. The last time was in 1994.

Why is the Library building a new branch when it is facing budget challenges?

This is confusing because bond dollars, by law, can only be used for building projects, not operational needs. That leaves the Library with the difficult problem of having money to build and renovate (with bond dollars) but a shortage of money for items such as materials, staffing, and programming after the nearly $2 million in state budget cuts last year.

What happened to the Library’s operating funding?

In 2025, the Ohio Legislature reduced funding through the Public Library Fund. This resulted in approximately $2 million less in operating funding for the Toledo Lucas County Public Library. Because the state funding  supports day-to-day operations, the reduction required the Library to make difficult decisions, including closing the Toledo Heights Branch and reducing hours at several locations, including the Waterville Branch.

If the Library has bond money for the Whitehouse Branch, why can’t that money be used to restore hours at Waterville?

The bond proceeds, by law, are restricted to building and renovation projects and cannot be redirected to cover operating expenses. So, the funding for constructing the new Whitehouse Branch is separate from the funding the Library uses to operate its existing branches.

The new Whitehouse Branch is also intended to help address the long-term need for library services created by population growth in western Lucas County and alleviate pressure on the Waterville Branch. For example, in 2025, the Waterville Branch had the third-highest number of circulated materials (more than 287,000 items). Only Main Library in downtown Toledo and the King Road Branch in Sylvania had higher circulation totals.

What happened to the Library’s collaboration with Metroparks Toledo to build the Whitehouse Branch at Blue Creek Metropark?

The Toledo Lucas County Public Library and Metroparks Toledo had been collaborating on plans to build the new Whitehouse Branch within Blue Creek Metropark beginning in 2024. During the due diligence process to assess the property’s needs, it became apparent that the original plan would be more costly and take longer due to the property’s specific challenges. In addition to unexpected state cuts, the Library determined that building the Whitehouse Branch at Blue Creek Metropark wouldn’t be feasible within the project’s current budget and timeline constraints. The Library therefore made the decision to pursue a different location within Whitehouse.

We are grateful to Metroparks Toledo for its partnership and collaboration throughout the planning process. While the Library will no longer be pursuing the Whitehouse Branch at Blue Creek Metropark, our commitment to bringing a new branch to the Whitehouse community remains unchanged.

Why is the new site going to replace a pollinator garden?

The site being considered is part of the Village of Whitehouse’s growing economic development corridor. While the current pollinator garden will not be maintained, there will be many opportunities to incorporate thoughtful resource management into the final site design. Being in the Oak Openings region, thoughtful environmental design will be a leading factor in branch development. 

What will the new Whitehouse Branch include?

The details of the new branch are still being developed. The Library wants the Whitehouse community to have a meaningful voice in determining what the new facility will offer, including everything from how the building looks and feels to the features and services it includes and opportunities to connect the indoor and outdoor spaces.

How can Whitehouse residents provide input?

Community listening sessions are currently being planned for fall 2026. Details for those sessions will be shared on the Library’s website. In the meantime, Whitehouse residents can share their preliminary thoughts via a short, four-question survey found at toledolibrary.org/locations/whitehouse. 

Will the new branch include outdoor space?

Outdoor opportunities will be considered as part of the final design. The Library wants to hear from the Whitehouse community about how outdoor spaces could complement the branch and serve residents.

When will the new Whitehouse Branch open?

The Library will share additional information about the project timeline as planning and design progress, with a tentative opening in late 2028 or early 2029.