Main
325 Michigan St.,
Toledo, Ohio 43604
419.259.5200
Email us
M-Th: 9 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
F-Sa: 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Su: Closed
PROGRAMS:
We are looking for programs…
We are looking for programs…
We are looking for programs…
We are looking for programs…
ABOUT US:
For busses or vans over the parking garage height limit: please drop off your guests at the front entrance off Michigan Avenue. Then proceed to park your vehicle by turning right at the light onto Madison Ave. and parking along the cut-out on the street, vehicles can utilize 11th St. in the event of multiple busses or vans.
FREE, SELF-SERVE COMMUNITY ROOM SPACE
We’re happy to be a good neighbor by providing free self-serve community room space. (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.
Community Room Main Library’s Community Room provides a prime place to meet and collaborate, with the opportunity to offer expanded hours before or after Library hours, Monday – Saturday. It is located just a few steps from Main Library’s parking garage.
Before requesting the Community Room, please review our Meeting Room Policy. This free space is available to request for meetings more than 30 days in advance and for community groups to use up to 12 times per year.
Work Space Looking to start or grow your small business? Need a space to create and work on your next project? Our Work Space offers individuals and organizations the opportunity to establish a home base for up to 3 months. There is also limited opportunity to use the Work Space outside of normal Library hours with approval.
Meeting Rooms All of our Library locations offer free public meeting rooms. These rooms are available for educational, instructional or civic programs when available.
To Reserve a Room: Call the location directly or reserve a room online. Reservations are complete once you receive a response from Library staff. Before booking a meeting room, please review our Meeting Room Policy.
FEE-BASED, RENTAL SPACES
Looking for more room? Or need to host a more private event? Consider one of the larger community room spaces at Main Library, including McMaster or our Large Glass Community Room.
McMaster Center & Lobby
The McMaster Family Center for Lifelong Learning offers a theater or lecture style experience for your meeting, speaking event or presentation and seats up to 312. Rental of the McMaster Center begins at $440.
The McMaster Lobby is connected to the McMaster Center and is an ideal space for networking events and more. This open floor place space overlooks the first floor of Main Library and can hold between 100 to 200. Rental of the Lobby begins at $293.
View the full pricing list and usage policy for Main Library rental spaces and equipment. For questions, call 419.259.5199.
Large Glass Meeting Room
Find our new Large Glass Meeting Room and Gathering Space among our Fact & Fiction collection on the first floor of Main Library. The meeting room is an open space that can be designed in many ways to accommodate a diverse range of uses and can hold up to 214. Rental of the glass meeting room begins at $343.
The Gathering Space
The Gathering Space is an open air area perfect for networking events and can hold up to 128. Rental begins at $293. View the full pricing list and usage policy for Main Library rental spaces and equipment. For questions, call 419.259.5199.
- Collaboration Rooms: private study rooms fitted with laptops, Smart TVS, and webcams for access to ZOOM and online interviews.
- Device Advice: have questions answered about Smart phones and tablets.
- One-to-one appointments and small group computer classes.
- Resume writing assistance.
- Test Proctoring.
- Faxing, copying, and scanning.
Located on the first floor, the Fact & Fiction Department will help you find your next great read! With a large collection of books, magazines, historical periodicals, and government documents – we have something for everyone.
Our Librarians are available for one-on-one consultations for in-depth reference and research. Email Fact.Fiction@toledolibrary.org to make an appointment.
To learn more about Fact & Fiction, email Manager Franco Vitella, or call 419.259.5311.
Find resources and services offered through our Local History and Genealogy Department including digital collections and exhibits, obituaries, newspapers, other genealogy records, and digitization services.
- The Blade Rare Book Room
- Rogowski-Kaptur Labor History Room
- Digitization lab
Email our Local History & Genealogy Department or call 419.259.5200 to start learning and researching today!
To learn more about the Local History & Genealogy Department, email Manager Jill Clever, or call 419.259.5233.
Located on the second floor, our Saloff Children’s Library is the perfect place to bring young ones for fun, learning, and play! Enjoy features like the Rainbow Fish Tank, the Mystery Wall, and explore signature areas including:
- The Susan M. Savage Family Place: Creativity Lab
- The Dorothy Louise Kyler Foundation Children’s Computer Center
- The Joseph and Judith Conda Family School Readiness Room
- ProMedica Picture Book Room
- Jennifer Fisher Nancy Drew Collection
For more information about our children’s space at Main Library, contact Manager Mary Rava Miller or call 419.259.5231.
Let our staff help you find funding, start a nonprofit, research prospective donors, and develop a strategic or fundraising plan. We have the expertise and tools to help you: learn about the business you’re interested in; know your competition; define your goals; and create a business plan.
Located on the first floor, the teen space is a place for junior high and high school students to hang out with friends, play video games, and grab the latest graphic novel or book series. For more information about our teen space at Main Library, contact Manager Kim Penn or call 419.259.5297.
HOLIDAY HOURS
The Steinem Sisters Collection is a feminist collection that explores the lives and achievements of women. Created to honor Gloria Steinem, the collection champions the historical, cultural and political contribution of women. The collection strives to provide a welcoming space for women of all walks of life to share their truths. The types of materials we collect are “feminist materials” – which are materials that uphold women’s rights and interests in defining and promoting political, economic, personal and social equality of the sexes. This collection was possible due to a generous donation by The Steinem’s Sisters Collective.
Main Library has been a downtown Toledo landmark since it opened on September 5, 1940. More than half-a-million visitors check out nearly one million items annually. In addition to a large collection of books, DVDs and reference materials, Main Library offers community meeting spaces, the Blade Rare Book Room, and the Creativity Lab: the Susan M. Savage Family Place.
In 2001, Main Library expanded to 271,000-square feet. In 2019, it underwent its latest renovation adding making equipment, studio space, a cafe, gallery and store on the first floor, as well as additional meeting and work space on the parking level and first floor. The Children’s Library received a substantial renovation to add more value to young Library customers.
