Parking lot view of Locke branch

Locke

703 Miami St.,
Toledo, Ohio 43605
419-259-5310

M-Tu: 9 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
W-F: 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sa-Su: Closed

Holiday Hours

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.

Please check our Maker Space page for a full list of options.

This branch provides a continuous Friends of the Library mini Book Sale area.

Programs:

We currently do not have any programs scheduled at this time. Please check back soon.

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 Wildflowers 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!

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!

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.

Upcycled Bookmark Making with TC Acrylics

(M) September 28 | 6:30 — 7:30 p.m. | Locke

In this hands-on class, you’ll create your own custom bookmark using upcycled pieces from original pour paintings—each one filled with color, movement, and story.

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.

Acrylic Painting with Shannon

(Tu) November 10 | 6 — 8 p.m. | Locke

Learn to paint birch trees on a rainbow background with alcohol inks and acrylics. This is a fun experimental class that produces beautiful pictures.

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:

In 2019, the Toledo Library enlisted HBM Architects and Interior Designers to develop a facilities master plan that examined its locations and provided a list of priorities and recommendations to help move TLCPL forward. This working plan was based on data collected during 2018 and continues to evolve based on the changing needs of the communities the Library serves. Below are key takeaways for the Locke Branch.

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%

Design phase: Q3 2028

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

We’d love to come talk to your neighborhood, school, association, or any other community group about the new consolidated branch or any of the Toledo Library’s building projects. Request a time for us to come see you. Please allow five business days to reply.

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.