Maybe you want to follow your life's passion. Maybe you see a business need in your community. Our expert staff is ready to help you:

• Learn about the business you're interested in
• Know your competition
• Define your overall goals
• Create a business plan

We also have dozens of great business research tools and materials that you can access for free with your Library card. Need help getting started? To make an appointment or for more information about Business & Workforce, email Manager David Topoleski, or call 419.259.5214.

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 and 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

Teen Space: Located on the first floor, our new teen space is a great 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 children and teen spaces at Main Library, contact Manager Mary Rava Miller or call 419.259.5231.

Check out your favorite movie, music album or TV show, use one of our public computers or attend a technology training in our new Teaching Lab. To learn more about Computers & Media, contact Manager Terwase Ngur, or call 419.259.5285.

Make an appointment with our experts at Main Library:
Monday - Saturday, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Making and Studio Equipment:
Record your next hit at the Library! Our Main Library location features an incredible range of audio and video equipment, studio space, 3D and large format printers, Cricut machines and other great tools for making.

Located on the first floor, the Fact & Fiction Department is here to 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 also available for one-on-one consultations for in-depth reference and research questions. Email Fact.Fiction@toledolibrary.org to make an appointment.

To learn more about Fact & Fiction, email Manager Erin Connolly, or call 419.259.5311.

Find resources and services offered through our Local History & 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.

Main Library has been a downtown Toledo landmark since it opened on September 5, 1940. Today, more than half-a-million visitors check out nearly one million items annually. In addition to a large collection of books, CDs, videos, DVDs and reference materials, Main Library offers ample community meeting spaces, the Blade Rare Book Room and the Creativity Lab: the Susan M. Savage Family Place.

In 2001, Main Library was expanded to 271,000-square feet. In 2019, it underwent its latest renovation which added 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 also received a substantial renovation to add more value to young Library customers.

As hundreds-of-thousands of men were sent off to war in 1942, women were called to action. As they entered factories, enlisted in the military, and undertook positions that ensured the safety of both the American people and its economy, the country’s perception of the American woman began to change. This exhibit highlights the monumental roles that women played in World War II, on both the national and local front, through an array of photos, periodicals, and documents from the Library's collection.

Exhibit located in the Fact and Fiction Department at Main Library and viewable during Library hours listed at the top of this page. The exhibition can also be viewed online.

Now open for in-person shopping!

SUMMER HOURS
(T) 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
(Th) 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
(Sa) 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

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.

REQUEST SPACE

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.

REQUEST THE COMMUNITY ROOM

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.

APPLY TO USE THE WORK SPACE

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.

REQUEST A ROOM

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.

REQUEST SPACE

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 or to make a reservation by phone, call 419.259.5199.

MAKE A RENTAL REQUEST

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.

MAKE A RENTAL REQUEST

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 or to make a reservation by phone, call 419.259.5199.

MAKE A RENTAL REQUEST

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; and strives to provide a welcoming space for women of all walks of life to share their truths. The types of materials we collect are first and foremost “feminist materials”- which are those materials that uphold women’s rights and interests in defining and promoting political, economic, personal and social equality of the sexes. This collection was made possible due to a generous donation by The Steinem’s Sisters Collective. Read a statement from the Steinem Sisters Advisory Board.

Donate to the Steinem Sisters Collection Fund. To learn more about the Steinem Sisters Collection, contact Assistant Manager Rebecca Stanwick. Sign up for the Steinem Sisters newsletter.