Main Library
325 Michigan Street
Toledo, Ohio 43604
Hours
| Monday | 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. |
| Thursday | 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. |
| Friday | 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| Saturday | 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. |
| Sunday | 1 - 5 p.m. |
Features
- Computers & Technology
- 69 Windows PCs
- 36 Windows laptops
- 16 MACs
- 20 children’s PCs
- 6 children's early learning stations
- 2 book scan stations
- Making equipment
- Free Wi-Fi
- Event & Meeting Rooms
- 30 person Community Room
- 214 person Large Glass Room
- 312 person McMaster Center
- 200 person McMaster Lobby
- Self-Services
- Faxing, copying, scanning
- ToleGo Public Bikes
- Parking
- 300 parking spots (includes 9 handicapped accessible spots)
- 2 electric vehicle charging stations
- 10 bicycle spots
Fees: parking is free for the first two hours, after 7 p.m., and on weekends. Otherwise, parking is 50 cents per half-hour up to a maximum of $6 per day.
- Holiday Hours
Visit our holiday hours page for information on when we will be closed.
Welcome to Main Library
Main Library Manager
Meg Delaney
419.259.5200Email Meg
Welcome! In addition to serving the downtown neighborhood, we are the flagship and central resource for the whole system. Our expert staff has deep expertise to help you with researching your current hot topic, finding a good book to read and helping you navigate technology.
Come for the information and be inspired by the amazing spaces in which you can relax, take a class, or do some work.
We’re here for every stage of your life – what do you need today?
Supercharged Storytime
Monday Nov. 18
at 10:00 a.m.
Location: Main Library
It's storytime plus a whole lot more! We've supercharged our storytime with games, fun activities and, of course, books!
Event Details for Supercharged StorytimeDevice Advice
Monday Nov. 18
at 2:00 p.m.
Location: Main Library
What’s the best new device for me? How do I make this thing work? Walk in anytime during this casual and relaxed session to get guidance about smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Event Details for Device AdviceFilm Focus
Monday Nov. 18
at 6:45 p.m.
Location: Main Library
A Russian Literature professor at the University of Havana goes to work as a translator for victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster when they are sent to Cuba for medical treatment. (107 Minutes)
Event Details for Film FocusMain Library Departments
Business & Workforce
available by appointment
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.
Children's Library
and Teen space
Located on the second floor, our 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.
Computers & Media
on the first floor
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.
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. To learn more about making at the Library, contact Assistant Manager Rebecca Ransberger.
Fact & Fiction
on the first floor
We're here to help you find your next great read! The Fact & Fiction Department, located on the first floor, houses our nonfiction and fiction books for adults. Stay tuned for exciting news about a new Writer in Residence program coming soon as well. For more information about Fact & Fiction, contact Manager Erin Connolly.
Steinem Sisters Collection:
Our Steinem Sisters Collection is a feminist collection that explores the lives and achievements of women. To learn more about the Steinem Sisters Collection, contact Assistant Manager Rebecca Stanwick.
Local History & Genealogy
on the third floor
Find resources and services offered through our Local History & Genealogy Department including digital collections and exhibits, obituaries, digitization services and our new Community Photo Album.
- The Blade Rare Book Room
- Rogowski-Kaptur Labor History Room
- Digitization lab
To learn more about Local History & Genealogy, contact Manager Jill Clever.
Main Library Features
Sarnies at the Library
Cafe`
Grab a book and then grab a bite to eat - at Main Library!
Sarnies brings the best deli sandwiches and new chopped salads to the area using only the freshest ingredients. Fresh breads are baked daily, salads and sauces are made using local ingredients and cookies are baked from scratch.
Find Sarnies on the first floor of Main Library.
Cafe` Hours:
Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday: 1 - 5 p.m.
Art & Soul
Gift Shop
Art & Soul features a variety of curated items from local and surrounding area artists as well as Toledo Library logo wear and memorabilia. All of the original pieces are handmade and/or small batch. Find beautiful gifts for friends or for yourself with items including jewelry, pottery, glass, paper, wood, children's items and more. Find Art & Soul on the first floor of Main Library.
Store Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday: 1 - 5 p.m.
Passport Services
We are a full service Passport Acceptance Agency, which means we can take your photo and assist with filling out the forms, and then file the paperwork with the Department of State. Use our checklist to ensure you have everything you need and then stop in to complete the registration process. Find Passport Services on the first floor of Main Library.
Passport Hours:
Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m.
Gallery
A Public Tête-à-Tête | Sept. 28 - Dec. 1
A Public Tête-à-Tête
“Jessica Frelinghuysen pushes the boundaries of communication through playful interactive artworks that delight our visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic senses. Her works highlight the absurdity of human interactions by surpassing the thresholds of verbal and nonverbal communication. By tracing auditory and visual pathways Frelinghuysen translates daily behavioral dialogue into physical, wearable, and structural opportunities to engage and reflect.”
Crystal Phelps, Curator
Find the Gallery on the first floor of Main Library.
Learn MoreMain Library Event & Meeting Rooms
McMaster Center & Lobby
on the second floor
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. At this time, the Library is not available to rent for organization fundraising or donor cultivation events, weddings, reunions, parties or other social activities.
Large Glass Meeting Room
on the first floor
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 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.
At this time, the Library is not available to rent for organization fundraising or donor cultivation events, weddings, reunions, parties or other social activities.
Make a Rental RequestCommunity Room
on the parking level
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
on the parking level
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.
The Library does not endorse the purposes, policies, products or claims of those who use its meeting rooms. Scheduled meetings may be superseded by Library-sponsored activities.
Request a RoomStaff and History
Main Library Managers
Main Library Manager
Business & Workforce Manager
Children's Library Manager
Computers & Media Manager
Fact & Fiction Manager
Local History & Genealogy Manager
History & Renovation
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.
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