Front angled view of Washington branch

Washington

5560 Harvest Ln.,
Toledo, Ohio 43623
419.259.5330

M-Th: 9 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
F-Sa: 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
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.

Quiet study rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis during open hours. There are often quiet study tables too, but they are within the main library space.

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

PROGRAMS:

We are looking for programs…

We are looking for programs…

We are looking for programs…

We are looking for programs…

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE:

What is the last day the current Washington Branch will be open?
The last open day of the current Washington branch is (Sa) Aug. 9, 2025. 

When will the new Washington Branch be open?
Construction is estimated to be completed in Q4 of 2026.

What are the closest Library locations to visit while awaiting the new branch opening?
West Toledo | 1320 Sylvania Avenue
Sylvania | 6749 Monroe Street
Sanger | 3030 W. Central Avenue

Where is the new location?
3025 W. Alexis Road

What will happen to the existing buildings on the property?
The old Food Town and outbuildings will be demolished. The storefront building near Alexis Road with current tenants will remain in place as they have leases that expire at the end of 2026. Then this property will be renovated to house the Friends of the Library.

What will the property look like?
The new Library will sit at the front of the property near Alexis. The Library will build an operations center building where the Food Town currently sits. The operations center will house the Library’s Technical Services Department, a warehouse, central purchasing, and logistics. There will be ample green space, including walking paths, and other amenities connecting Tremainsville to the campus.

Will the property continue to have vehicular access from both Alexis and Tremainsville Roads?
No. Only the Alexis Road entrance will be used for Library access. This will eliminate the issue of people racing through the parking lot between Alexis and Tremainsville Roads, which poses a severe safety risk. There will be pedestrian access from Tremainsville, and we will also have a vehicle entrance on Tremainsville just for the operations center.

Will there be a stop light or crosswalk installed at the Alexis Road entrance?
The City of Toledo Plan Commission, in coordination with City transportation engineers, has determined that neither a light nor a crosswalk is needed at this time. The current roadway design accounts for a grocery store with a higher volume of traffic than that expected of a public library. This isn’t a decision controlled by the Library. Please share any traffic concerns with your City Council Member. You can find your Council Member (both in-district and at-large) and their contact information on our Civic Center.

Will the new branch be handicap-accessible and ADA-compliant?
Yes! Accessibility is a top priority. We are working closely with the architects and the Ability Center to ensure the branch exceeds all current ADA requirements as well as additional features to make our space as welcoming as possible for all abilities.

Will the new branch be environmentally friendly?
Also, yes! It is much easier to make new buildings energy efficient, use sustainable materials, and design for green space. Library customers and surrounding community members can expect many environmentally friendly features at the new branch location. 

How will the branch look and feel?
Six goals will guide the design work at Washington Branch and all of our building projects:
  • Create a welcoming destination for all ages.
  • Exceed safety and accessibility standards and become the most accessible public library.
  • Foster a connection to outdoor spaces.
  • Encourage curiosity with a powerful design that prioritizes simple geometry and flexibility
  • Serve as an economic catalyst for the surrounding community.
At the new Washington Branch, you can expect natural light and curated views of the outside green space. There will be plenty of bookshelves lining the walls, comfortable places to read, and dedicated spaces for kids. The new branch will have more community and study rooms, and new computers, including laptop lending. Up-to-date furniture will be standardized with our other new facilities with an eye toward cleanliness, sustainability, and comfort.

Built: 1986

Space: 12,946 square feet, 2 meeting rooms, study room

Neighborhood population: 31,223

Annual customer visits: 595,236

Annual circulation: 194,302

Program attendance for all ages: 1,921

Meeting room bookings: 766

Computer sessions: 16,703

Previous updates and renovations: expansion in 2002

Design phase I: Q3 2024

Construction phase I: Q2 2025 – Q4 2026

Dates are approximate and subject to change.

Update as of Feb. 2025
 
Completed work:
  • The sale of Washington Branch property to Washington Local Schools was completed in April 2023.
  • The Library is leasing the current branch back from Washington Local Schools until Sept. 2025.
  • The Library has purchased the property at 3025 Alexis Road for the location of the new Washington Branch.
  • Bostwick Design Partnership was selected to begin a predesign phase for the new Washington Branch.
  • Two tenant lease agreements have ended, the two remaining leases are in place until 2026.
  • Lathrop was procured as the construction manager.
Next steps:
  • The architectural design phase is in process with Bostwick Design Partnership.
  • Demolition of old structures begins in March 2025. (Tenant building with Star Diner and Cross Fit remain open until leases end in 2026.)
  • The last open day of the current Washington branch is (Sa) Aug. 9.
  • Construction is estimated to be completed in Q4 of 2026.
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Thank you! The listening sessions are complete. Please see branch staff for any questions or concerns.

 

 

(Final concepts are subject to change based on design, construction, materials, and costs.)