Locke
703 Miami St.,
Toledo, Ohio 43605
419-259-5310
Email Manager Holley Jackson
M-Tu: 9 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
W-F: 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sa-Su: Closed
Services:
We’re happy to be a good neighbor by providing free self-serve meeting rooms. (Self-serve means you may move furniture, but you will need to return room to original set-up. Technology support may be available.) Users of this space must agree to and follow the Library Community Room policy.
This branch provides a continuous Friends of the Library mini Book Sale area.
Programs:
Geometric Insect Art with Molly Miller
(W) April 15 | 3:30 — 4:30 p.m. | Locke
Nature and simple geometric shapes are one of the foundations for Charley Harper's art. Using nature as inspiration, we will combine color and simple shapes to create your own inspired insect.
Karaoke Party
(W) April 22 | 3:30 — 4:30 p.m. | Locke
Sing your favorite songs and have fun with friends!
Taste Testing Fun
(W) April 29 | 3:30 — 4:30 p.m. | Locke
Play games, taste and rate your favorite snacks and see which one is the winner!
Summer Read Kickoff
(Tu) June 2 | 2 — 3 p.m. | Locke
Let's start Summer off with some fun! Sign up for our Summer Read, play games and enjoy some ice cream!
Toledo Mud Hens and Walleye 2026 Summer Series
(W) June 3 | 10 — 11:30 a.m. | Locke
The Toledo Mud Hens and Walleye are teaming up with Toledo Lucas County Public Libraries to host free hockey and baseball camps all summer long.
Gardening Fun
(M) June 8 | 2 — 3 p.m. | Locke
Get creative making plant markers for our community garden and decorate your own tiny pot to take home and grow something amazing!
Toledo GROWs with Nature: Discovering Garden Animals
(W) June 10 | 2 — 2:45 p.m. | Locke
Explore the natural world of gardening, bugs, and other critters! Learn through fun dances, books, and activities how animals such as rabbits and birds in the garden help plants grow.
Glovation Circus
(W) June 24 | 2 — 2:45 p.m. | Locke
A circus show unlike any other, featuring interactive entertainment for all ages!
Warhol-Inspired Wild Flowers with Molly Miller
(W) July 1 | 2 — 2:45 p.m. | Locke
Dive into the world of Andy Warhol by layering vibrant, tempera-painted flower cutouts over rich oil pastel backgrounds to create a bold, 3D floral masterpiece.
Tissue Paper Wreath
(W) July 8 | 2 — 3 p.m. | Locke
Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary with a decorative wreath made by scrunching and bunching red, white, and blue tissue paper.
Mr. Puppet's Comedy Show
(Th) July 16 | 1:30 — 2:15 p.m. | Locke
Get ready for some side-splitting fun with Mr. Puppet. A perfect mix of ventriloquism, marionette magic, and plenty of audience interaction, this show will have you doubled over in laughter.
Magic Story Artistry with Yasu Ishida
(Th) July 23 | 1:30 — 2:15 p.m. | Locke
Combining traditional Japanese theatre, music, origami, magic, and storytelling, Yasu Ishida will guide you to the enchanting land of Japan.
Minute to Win it Summer Edition
(W) August 5 | 2 — 3 p.m. | Locke
Get outside and enjoy a variety of fun challenges. See who can do their best individually and with a teammate, in just one minute.
Back To School Bash
(W) August 26 | 3:30 — 4:30 p.m. | Locke
Glovation Circus will be celebrating back to school with us by demonstrating juggling, hula hoop and ribbon dancing and then letting you take a turn!
Karaoke Party
(W) April 22 | 3:30 — 4:30 p.m. | Locke
Sing your favorite songs and have fun with friends!
Taste Testing Fun
(W) April 29 | 3:30 — 4:30 p.m. | Locke
Play games, taste and rate your favorite snacks and see which one is the winner!
Fabric Painting
(W) May 13 | 3:30 — 4:30 p.m. | Locke
Design and fabric-paint your own colorful pencil pouch—perfect for organizing school supplies or gifting to a friend.
Be a Summer Read VolunTEEN
(Th) May 28 | 3 — 5 p.m. | Locke
The Summer Read VolunTEEN program is for teens ages 13 (must be 13 at the time of account creation) through high school graduation. An online volunteer account and two-hour training are mandatory!
Summer Read Kickoff
(Tu) June 2 | 2 — 3 p.m. | Locke
Let's start Summer off with some fun! Sign up for our Summer Read, play games and enjoy some ice cream!
Toledo Mud Hens and Walleye 2026 Summer Series
(W) June 3 | 10 — 11:30 a.m. | Locke
The Toledo Mud Hens and Walleye are teaming up with Toledo Lucas County Public Libraries to host free hockey and baseball camps all summer long.
Henna Art for Teens with Henna Muse
(W) June 17 | 2 — 3 p.m. | Locke
Use henna to create our own designs on paper, as well as learn the basics of sourcing supplies and making henna paste.
Creative Writing Workshop for Teens
(W) July 29 | 2 — 4 p.m. | Locke
Led by expert writer Ashton Hooley teens will share work, receive feedback, and grow in a supportive space where every writer—beginner or advanced—feels inspired and included.
Back To School Bash
(W) August 26 | 3:30 — 4:30 p.m. | Locke
Glovation Circus will be celebrating back to school with us by demonstrating juggling, hula hoop and ribbon dancing and then letting you take a turn!
Resin Tile Coasters with Shannon
(M) April 20 | 6 — 7:30 p.m. | Locke
Using nontoxic, food grade resin (no masks or ventilation needed), participants will create a set of beautiful tile coasters.
TRIO: one-stop shop for help with adult education
(Tu) April 28 | 11 a.m. — 2 p.m. | Locke
TRIO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), adults ages 19 and over can receive free one-to-one assistance.
Mercy Health Community Nurses
(W) May 6 | 2:30 — 4:30 p.m. | Locke
Nurses are at select locations to conduct free blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight screenings. No appointment is needed; all services are first-come, first-served.
TRIO: one-stop shop for help with adult education
(Tu) May 26 | 11 a.m. — 2 p.m. | Locke
TRIO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), adults ages 19 and over can receive free one-to-one assistance.
Classic Movies at Locke
The Little Shop if Horrors (71 minutes)
(Th) May 28 | 11 a.m. — 1:30 p.m. | Locke
A clumsy young man nurtures a plant and discovers that it's carnivorous, forcing him to kill to feed it.
Mercy Health Community Nurses
(W) June 3 | 2:30 — 4:30 p.m. | Locke
Nurses are at select locations to conduct free blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight screenings. No appointment is needed; all services are first-come, first-served.
Introduction to Qigong
(Tu) June 9 | 6 — 7:30 p.m. | Locke
Qigong is a traditional Chinese mind/body exercise and meditation that uses body movements with breathing and mental focusing to improve balance, muscle strength, and overall health.
TRIO: one-stop shop for help with adult education
(Tu) June 23 | 11 a.m. — 2 p.m. | Locke
TRIO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), adults ages 19 and over can receive free one-to-one assistance.
Classic Movies at Locke
The Stooges (120 minutes)
(Th) June 25 | 11 a.m. — 1:30 p.m. | Locke
Four classic Three Stooges features plus Stooges snapshots.
Mercy Health Community Nurses
(W) July 1 | 2:30 — 4:30 p.m. | Locke
Nurses are at select locations to conduct free blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight screenings. No appointment is needed; all services are first-come, first-served.
Chocolate Fondant Cake with Sur Le Pouce
(Tu) July 14 | 6 — 7:30 p.m. | Locke
In this hands-on class, learn the art of making a delicious "moelleux au chocolat" (chocolate fondant cake).
Classic Movies at Locke
The Jackie Robinson Story (76 minutes)
(Th) July 23 | 11 a.m. — 12:30 p.m. | Locke
Jackie Robinson stars as himself in this compelling biopic of the man who bravely challenged (and broke) the color barrier that existed in America's greatest pastime.
TRIO: one-stop shop for help with adult education
(Tu) July 28 | 11 a.m. — 2 p.m. | Locke
TRIO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), adults ages 19 and over can receive free one-to-one assistance.
Mercy Health Community Nurses
(W) August 5 | 2:30 — 4:30 p.m. | Locke
Nurses are at select locations to conduct free blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight screenings. No appointment is needed; all services are first-come, first-served.
TRIO: one-stop shop for help with adult education
(Tu) August 25 | 11 a.m. — 2 p.m. | Locke
TRIO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), adults ages 19 and over can receive free one-to-one assistance.
Mercy Health Community Nurses
(W) September 2 | 2:30 — 4:30 p.m. | Locke
Nurses are at select locations to conduct free blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight screenings. No appointment is needed; all services are first-come, first-served.
TRIO: one-stop shop for help with adult education
(Tu) September 22 | 11 a.m. — 2 p.m. | Locke
TRIO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), adults ages 19 and over can receive free one-to-one assistance.
Mercy Health Community Nurses
(W) October 7 | 2:30 — 4:30 p.m. | Locke
Nurses are at select locations to conduct free blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight screenings. No appointment is needed; all services are first-come, first-served.
TRIO: one-stop shop for help with adult education
(Tu) October 27 | 11 a.m. — 2 p.m. | Locke
TRIO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), adults ages 19 and over can receive free one-to-one assistance.
Mercy Health Community Nurses
(W) November 4 | 2:30 — 4:30 p.m. | Locke
Nurses are at select locations to conduct free blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight screenings. No appointment is needed; all services are first-come, first-served.
TRIO: one-stop shop for help with adult education
(Tu) November 24 | 11 a.m. — 2 p.m. | Locke
TRIO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), adults ages 19 and over can receive free one-to-one assistance.
Mercy Health Community Nurses
(W) December 2 | 2:30 — 4:30 p.m. | Locke
Nurses are at select locations to conduct free blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight screenings. No appointment is needed; all services are first-come, first-served.
TRIO: one-stop shop for help with adult education
(Tu) December 22 | 11 a.m. — 2 p.m. | Locke
TRIO Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), adults ages 19 and over can receive free one-to-one assistance.
Building for the future:
A digital copy of the full 200-plus page facilities master plan is available upon request.
Branch overview (based on 2018 data)
Service population: 22,508 (5.3% of total service population)
Median age: 31
Households with children: 39.9%
Households: 8,277
Mean household income: $32,963
Population living below the poverty line: 37.4%
Gross square feet: 9,698 square feet
Year constructed: 2007
Collection size: 31,639 items
Programs: 163 in 2018
Meeting room size: 998 square feet
Meeting room capacity: 50 people
General Observations
- Consider relocating and creating more of an identity for the Children’s area.
- Consider using the patio for Children’s programs.
- Consider mobile display for new materials.
- Consider a single, centralized service point.
- Consider creating a unique identity for the teen area and blending this area better with technology.
- Consider creating smaller study and tudor rooms.
- The Children’s area does not feel like a special area for kids.
- The stack area feels closed in, crowded, lacking display, and doesn’t invite browsing.
In spring 2024, the Library sent a survey to the Lucas County community to learn what you love about your Library and how we could improve our buildings to better meet your needs. This is what 38 Locke neighbors said they wanted in an updated space.
| Rank |
Services and amenities |
Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Expanded adult areas |
36.84% |
| 2 | Access to drive-through, pick-up, and drop-off services |
31.58% |
| 3 |
More technology |
28.95% |
| 4 |
Expanded children’s areas |
23.68% |
| 5 |
Expanded teen areas |
18.42% |
| 6 |
More study spaces |
18.42% |
| 7 |
Greater access to audio/visual equipment |
7.89% |
| 8 |
Larger and/or additional meeting room spaces |
7.89% |
| 9 |
More Maker Spaces |
7.89% |
| 10 |
Additional programming space |
5.26% |
Construction phase: Q1 2029 – Q3 2029
Dates are approximate and subject to change.
Q4 2027 | Dates and locations will be shared as soon as available
The Locke Branch, which opened in 1917, was one of six libraries built in Lucas County with funds from Andrew Carnegie. The current building renovation was funded by a 10-year bond levy approved by Lucas County voters in 1995. David Ross Locke (1833-1888) is one of the early owners of The Toledo Blade and the namesake for this Branch. Locke wrote the Petroleum V. Nasby letters. President Abraham Lincoln loved these letters for their satiric abolitionist humor.
