Uncover the Diamond: Must-Read Baseball Books for Opening Day
Just in time for MLB's Opening Day, here are some of the best books on the old (and new!) ballgame.
This Old House: Great Books on Renovating and Restoring Older Homes
Finding accurate and useful information on restoring and renovating older homes can be tricky. These books can get you started.
O Canada Week: Hockey in North America!
Continue the hockey fever and "check" out these books for kids and teens featuring this wildly popular (and sometimes wild!) sport in both our countries!
O Canada Week: Lacrosse!
Love lacrosse? Canadians do too! It's their national summer sport, because their national winter sport has to be hockey, right?!
Craftsmanship: The Value of Authenticity in an Automated Age
Many people, tired of throw-away culture, are seeking inspiration on how to prioritize quality over quantity. Here are some great books on honing the value of craftsmanship in our lives.
Cozy Winter Hobbies
Add some variety to your indoor activities this winter by embracing a new hobby, and soon you’ll be enjoying it year-round!
10 Books To Make the Best DIY Christmas Cards
Who needs store-bought cards, anyway?
World-On-Fire Art As Therapy: Healing Handicraft for Everyone
Stop the doom-scrolling, it's arts-and-crafts time. Here are some fun ways to ease you through these times of turmoil, keeping that last nerve intact.
10 Books Based on Your Favorite Video Games!
Are you a gamer and need something to read? Check out these 10 teen and tween titles based on popular video games.
Book Recs Based on Your Halloween Costume – Kiddo Edition
Here's a great list of books based on Halloween costume ideas. Take a look and see if you can guess the costume that would go with each one.
Book Recs Based on Your Halloween Costume – Adult Edition
Here are books that should either inspire costume ideas or help you enjoy a costume you've already created for Halloween!
Embracing the Flop: The Allure of B Movies and Box-Office Poison
Some filmmakers are exquisitely talented artists gifting the world with enduring masterpieces. These books aren't about them.
5 Tote-Ally Crafty Books To Get You Going With Cricut
Once you start Cricut-ing, even the book cart might get a makeover.
From Survival To Thriving: Learn Life Skills That Empower You
So. Many. Things. To. Know! Here are some inspirational books to help you learn clever life hacks.
Best Books on Crafts You Didn’t Know Existed
Bored with traditional crafting possibilities? Have we got the books for you! Check out these great books on unusual (yet still delightful!) ways to be creative and find your next favorite hobby.
20 Books to Inspire You to Get Outside More Often
Power down the screens, get outside, and enjoy the wonders of nature in our own backyards. Here are some great ways to do just that.
Hit the Road With These Day Trips in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana
Spring is a fantastic time to venture forth on a great day trip. Here are some great ideas for jaunts in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. Let's roll!
Youth Poetry and Books in Verse
April is National Poetry Month. Check out one of these children's poetry and books in verse titles!
Frida Kahlo: Artist, Activist, Icon
Maybe it was because of her penchant for immortalizing herself in self-portraits, but Frida Kahlo is one of the few great painters who has risen to the level of icon.
Fun Books to Identify Your Treasured Collectibles
Older collectibles books are great places to find pictures of unusual items that can be difficult to find online where image searching can be hit-or-miss. We try to keep a selection on a variety of collectible themes, and they can also be fun ways to see and remember old toys or things you had as a child. Take a look!
Comfort Food Rewind: Ultimate Nostalgic Cookbooks to Savor
Vintage recipes are making a comeback! Here are the best nostalgia cookbooks in the collection for a yummy walk down memory lane.
Top 10 Books on the Creative Pulse of Street Fashion
Street fashion is the venue for the bravest among us to show their personal style and possibly start a whole new trend. Here are the best photography books capturing these amazing people in action.
Chillax with the Best Books on Pop Culture Life in the 1990s
It's always fun to look back at pop culture from the decades and wonder what the heck we were thinking at the time. Here's a great list of titles on the 1990s sure to make you nostalgic if you were there, or puzzled and amused if you weren't. As if!!
Totally Tubular Books about Pop Culture Life in the 1980s
Living in the 1980s was truly the end of an innocent era when we could take the phone off the hook or just go outside and be completely unreachable by anyone. Seriously: people would dial our number (which they either had to already know or get from something called a phone book), get no answer or a "busy signal" (look it up) and they'd think, "Gosh, I'll just have to call back later." It was AWESOME. Here are some great books on other bizarro aspects of life during that amazing era.
All Praises: Remembering Poet Nikki Giovanni
Nikki Giovanni's vital and resonant poems live on the page, but out loud they really slayed.
Jive Turkeys Everywhere: Best Books on Life in the 1970s
The 1970s bridged the hippie/New Frontier 1960s to the Shoulder-padded/New Wave 1980s.
Sketchbook Secrets: How to Cultivate a Daily Drawing Habit
Keeping a sketch journal is a wonderful way to keep track of your life, spark creativity, and keep your brain sharp. Here are the best books we offer on this fun and inspiring endeavor.
Happy 100th Birthday, Comics MADman Harvey Kurtzman
When a young Harvey Kurtzman asked a professional cartoonist for career advice, the mentor told him to give up. Good thing he didn't listen.
Dimming the Lights for Ohio-Born Broadway Star Gavin Creel (1976-2024)
Megawatt performer Gavin Creel leapt from Ohio to Broadway but never discarded his midwestern decency.
Easy and Fun DIY Ideas for a Spook-tacular Halloween
There are so many fun crafty ideas for spooky holiday DIY fun - here are some great places to start.
Out, Brief Candle: 15 Singular James Earl Jones Stage Performances
Some of the late James Earl Jones's greatest accomplishments as an actor were in performances nobody will ever see again.
Small Business Partner Spotlight: The Arts Commission – Recognizing Talent, Fostering a Vibrant Community
"The Arts Commission’s emphasis is, as far as I can tell, on fostering Toledo as a healthy and vibrant art community, and the most important element of that community is its people. I appreciate the Arts Commission’s robust investment in people."
Small Business Partner Spotlight: Accelerate Your Creative Endeavors – Apply for Funding Via The Arts Commission
The Accelerator Grant is The Arts Commission’s competitive program offering financial support for local artists. Eligible categories of support include equipment and supply support, which attracted one local photographer to apply…
Tinker, Build, Make, Create!
Find fun STEM and making activities for kids in these project-filled books!
Small Business Partner Spotlight: The Arts Commission’s Grant Opportunities Provide Safety Net For Local Creatives
Obtaining grants to for-profit businesses can be extremely competitive and hard to come by. However, for working artists, one local organization is making a major difference and that’s The Arts Commission.
10 Books for Reading the Stars
Yes. This is, in fact, a sign to check out some of these books about astrology.
10 Books to Get You Started with Making and Using a Junk Journal
Make a junk journal and get creative!
20 Purrfect Titles for National Hug Your Cat Day
After dodging that grouchy skibbety-pap from a formerly napping feline friend, what better way to celebrate National Hug Your Cat Day than with a fun book?
From Midnight to Mourning: 25 Dark Books for Goths
World Goth Day is May 22nd, which means we're in for some super fun summer reading/viewing/listening! Re-dye your fading darks and unearth your bleakest makeup, dark times lie ahead.
10 Books Celebrating 35 Years of Game Boy
A long time ago people played handheld video games on a gray device the size of a small brick and the games weren't even in color.
Remembering Faith Ringgold, Groundbreaking Artist and Classic Picture Book Creator
Everyone's read "Tar Beach," but not everyone knows that its writer and illustrator Faith Ringgold was also a formidable visual artist who did things with quilts your sewing circle never dreamed of.
Transform Your Midwest Yard into a Breathtaking Oasis with Natural and Prairie Garden Techniques
Forget mowing! Plant a prairie garden to replace wasteful grass and benefit local wildlife.
Why Aren’t You Drawing a Bird Right Now? These Books Will Help
April 8th is Draw a Bird Day! Stock up on some of these great books to inspire your best avian art.
Pitch-Perfect Picks: Best Books on Baseball to Celebrate Opening Day
Just in time for Opening Day in Major League Baseball, here are some of the best books on the old (and new!) ballgame.
65 Years Ago, “A Raisin in the Sun” Changed American Theatre
Sixty-five years ago this month, Lorraine Hansberry’s pivotal play A Raisin in the Sun opened on Broadway, and it’s exerted a gravitational pull on American culture ever since.
Remembering Edward Bond, Scandalous Playwright
The playwright Edward Bond wasn't famous, exactly. But he was a little infamous, which was probably good enough for him.
Level Up Your Role-Playing: Essential Books for Games Masters
Check out these fantastic books to make your best-ever RPG campaigns. Games night will never be the same!
Cooking and Storytelling Unite: Discover the Most Entertaining Cookbooks on the Shelves
The Library has so many cookbooks it can be hard to keep up! We have so much more than the usual famous chefs and social media empire offerings.
Spark Your Imagination on National LEGO Day
National LEGO Day is the perfect time to put your imagination to work, and the following books (along with one exceptional film) can help put you in the right mindset.
20 Hockey Books for Kids
It's Hockey Night in Toledo as we welcome the Walleye back to the ice. Before enjoying a little family fun at the Huntington Center, be sure to share a few great hockey books with the young skaters and readers in your life.
5 Books to Help You Knit Socks – The Possibly (Im)perfect Last Minute Holiday Gift
Early Christmas morning / Sneaky as can be / I creep across the carpet / And I peek under the tree / Pick out a gift from Mom to me / And bring it to my ear / Give it a little shimmy shake and what do I hear? / Socks / This is the worst gift I ever got / It doesn't beep or buzz or bop or rattle in the box / Hey, why'd you waste the paper on a lousy pair of socks? - J.D. McPherson, 'Socks'
10 Ice Skating Stories for Kids
Lace up your skates and take to the ice with these ten great stories for young skaters.
10 Craft and DIY Books to Help You Stay Warm this Winter
Winter is approaching quickly, prepare yourself by making some cozy clothes, a warm blanket, and more.
Game Books to Play Indoors All Winter
Winter is coming! In the deep, dark, cold months, stave off winter boredom with these titles that get you playing all kinds of tabletop games.
Amazing Aviators
It's National Aviation Month. Check out these interesting reads.
Expand and Improve Your Model Railroad System With These 10 Books
There's no better time to explore model railroading than during model train month!
Exploring Birds All Year Round!
Take a look at these suggestions on birds and birding as a great way to explore outdoors in the colder months ahead!
9 Books Celebrating the Great Outdoors for Nature Lovers
These books are best experienced outside.
Going to Toledo Comic Arts Festival on Saturday November 4? Here’s Everything You Need to Know
The first ever Toledo Comic Arts Festival is happening (Th) Nov. 2 (online) and (Sa) Nov. 4, 2023 at Main Library. Here's everything you need to know before you go.
Six Tons of Sand and a Dream: Remembering Playwright Tina Howe
Tina Howe was a playwright, which is to say, she wasn't a household name. But she was a beloved and respected artist whose body of work resonates through the careers of any number of artists that you've definitely heard of.
10 Books To Interest Your Inner Artist On National Photography Day
Satisfy your inner artist or art enthusiast with these books for National Photography Day.
10 Titles for National Get Outdoors Day
June 10th is National Get Outdoors Day, and we've foraged for 10 titles with activities and adventures to get you across the threshold.
15 Tony Award Winners
This Sunday night is the 76th Tony Awards, the biggest night in American theater. Or at least the biggest night in a certain fourteen-square-block section of American theater.
3 Knowledge-Packed FilmToledo Classes for Aspiring Actors and Filmmakers
FilmToledo and the Library present a series of classes aimed at making you a better actor and filmmaker. Also recommended for people who just want to improve their communication skills or get better at making videos on their phone.
5 Books to Remind You to Stop Reading and Go Ride a Bike
Don't read these books while on a bicycle.
10 Great Books for Wine (and Grape) Enthusiasts
These books are Dionysus-approved.
History of Crayons
Crayons have been around for a long time! Here are some great titles featuring crayons and their history.
5 Photography Books to Help You Capture the Moment
Take all the pictures.
On International Museum Day, Visit One of the Toledo Area’s Fine Museums
Some of the world's finest museums are closer than you think!
It’s Funny Because it’s (Sam) Gross: The New Yorker’s Most Unruly Cartooning Genius
Until he died this month, cartoonist Sam Gross was the master of making you laugh at things you felt bad about laughing at.
10 Books to Get Kids Excited About Birding
Have an aspiring young birder? Here are some books to get them excited about birding!
The Final Snappy Answer of Cartoonist Al Jaffee (1921-2023)
For decades, cartoonist Al Jaffee was one of the most consistent fixtures among Mad Magazine's "Usual Gang of Idiots" with his sardonic and cutting observations about modern life. But he's inked his last fold-in.
What Are You Drawing for Draw a Bird Day? These 10 Books Will Help You…Draw a Bird
It’s officially Draw a Bird Day. Celebrate by busting out a pencil and paper and doodling your favorite bird—artistic skill is optional!
5 Happy Little Items To Check Out Before You Watch the Movie Paint
A few DVDs and books to put you in the right mindset before going to see Paint, a movie inspired by Bob Ross.
Get Ready to Grow, Lucas County!
We'd love to see how things are growing! Tag @ToledoLibrary and show us your plant friends.
Celebrate National Poetry Month with 13 Poetry Books Selected by the Lucas County Poet Laureate
April is National Poetry Month! Celebrate by writing your own poem or reading some of these picks from Jonie McIntire, Lucas County's Poety Laureate!
10 Books to Inspire Your Next Craft
Celebrate National Crafting Month by refining your skills or picking up a new hobby.
5 Books About Tetris, Possibly the Greatest Video Game of All Time
Like after good round of Tetris, you'll close your eyes at night and see a series of falling blocks while you fall asleep after reading this.
5 Books to Improve Your Floral Design and Arrangement Skills
Celebrate National Floral Design Day with books and bouquets.
10 Books to Help You Be Kind
Celebrate kindness and paying it forward.
Help Feed Our Feathered Friends for National Bird Feeding Month
Each February we celebrate the magic birds bring to our yards during National Bird Feeding Month.
5 Ways to Get to Know Poet Charles Simic
The poet Charles Simic achieved nearly every distinction an American poet can hope for. It's not too late to find out why.
Get Creative with These 5 Books Sure to Inspire You
Read or use these 5 books to jump back into your creative flow or inspire a new project!
15 Books on Mending and Upcycling for Sustainable Fashion
Mending and upcycling clothes is a great way to contribute to sustainable fashion. Here are some books with great ideas to make beautiful new creations out of second-hand or old, worn clothes and home goods…
8 Books to Help You Make Comics
Your one-stop-shop to get you started making your first comic or graphic novel. Writing, storyboarding, drawing, and publishing!
C is for Cookie: Baking and Decorating Ideas to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Om Nom Nom Nom. Let’s bake some cookies!
Best Books to Give as Gifts: Nonfiction Titles
A selection of nonfiction titles that will make great gifts.
DIY Cards and Gifts for Any Occasion
A selection of books for DIY gift and card ideas.
Good Grief! 10 Books to Read for Charles M. Schulz’s 100th Birthday
Security blankets. Great Pumpkins. Pulled-away footballs. If "Peanuts" creator Charles M. Schulz hadn't been born 100 years ago, we'd have 10% fewer metaphors.
5 Books to Read for Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Indigenous People's Day.
10 Books to Read When Visiting the Library’s 45,000 Quilt Exhibit
The 45,000 Quilt is a work of art which brings together the vision of 60 immigrant justice activists and artists from 12 states and Oaxaca, Mexico.
10 Fun and Quirky Comics for D&D Nerds
Whether you're a TTRPG veteran, looking forward to your first campaign, or Stranger Things just has you curious, these comic and manga series are sure to get you ready for adventure.
10 Books To Get You Through the End of the Baseball Season
Baseball is in the home stretch. Whether your team is about to win a pennant or already eliminated from contention, here are book picks to keep you company through the end of the season.
9 Best Tim Sale Comics
Celebrate the late Tim Sale with some of his greatest comics.
Local History Resources at Main Library and a Prominent Toledo Dog
The Toledo Library proudly displays three paintings featuring the customary topic of renowned Toledoan artist, Edmund Henry Osthaus. Get the inside story of the painting of “Laddie,” displayed in the Local History Department.
