Read, get your return, repeat.

As published in the September 20, 2026 edition of the Toledo Blade:

“What can the public library do for me?” It’s a question that I love to answer.

I am always eager to share the many anecdotes I hear every day about how library programs, services, and staff positively impact someone’s life. But beyond these narratives, the Toledo Lucas County Public Library has an equally impactful quantitative story to tell.

Last year, the Toledo Library saw over two million visits and had five million titles checked out. We also welcomed more than 115,000 guests who joined us at one of our 4,000 programs. All in all, almost 70 percent of Lucas County residents hold a library card, which speaks volumes to our place in the hearts and minds of community members.

For the tens of thousands of Toledo Library users, there is a deep understanding of all the wonderful things the public library offers. However, these statistics also come with a real economic impact on Lucas County taxpayers.

In a recent study conducted by the Center for Regional Development at Bowling Green State University, researchers found that the Toledo Lucas County Public Library returns $6.73 for every $1 invested by taxpayers. The study involved an intensive review and analysis of three of the library’s key strategic priorities – helping children learn to read, helping adults expand their horizons, and serving as the go-to community connection and hub.

Researchers took into account the money saved through the library’s collective buying power for services such as storytimes, author events, small-business assistance, and on-site community partner services. They also evaluated other library-powered work, like our Ready to Read early childhood literacy team, reading challenges, technology access and assistance, meeting room use, and library outreach services.

“What can the public library do for me?” You can join your neighbors at one of our many amazing programs. You can check out books, movies, and music. You can make reading central for the children in your life. You can get help with your small business dreams. You can reap the substantial benefits of your tax investment. But, whether or not you hold a library card today, the amazing thing about the Toledo Library is that we offer a real, year-round economic return for all Lucas County residents.

For example, at our new Washington Branch Library campus, which includes an operations center for greater library efficiency and our Friends of the Library bookstore, we’ve returned nearly $4.5 million in wages and benefits to area tradespeople. From the outset of this project, the library has been committed to promoting participation and expanding opportunities for both working individuals and businesses, with an emphasis on minorities, women, disadvantaged, and veteran-owned businesses. Not only does the library return dollars through our programs and services, but also through our local projects.

As a tax-funded institution, the Toledo Lucas County Public Library has an incredible responsibility to manage our money well and, above all, to fulfill the wants and needs of our taxpayers for library services. We strive to offer the best programs and materials we can to Lucas County residents, and we work hard to ensure your money has maximum impact and return.

“What can the public library do for me?” We hope to see you in the near future, so that you can discover the answer soon.

Jason Kucsma
Chief Executive Officer/Fiscal Officer
Toledo Lucas County Public Library