A morning errand took me to downtown Toledo today. As my older son had been looking for a book which our local branch library did not have available, I thought I would check out the main library since I was downtown anyway. I want to say I was pleasantly surprised. I have not been to the main branch for at least 10 + years, so I had not had a chance to visit it since all the remodeling had occurred. What I found was a dry, well-lit parking garage, (free if you are in the library for less than an hour), plenty of computer stations, meeting rooms, a brighter look than I remember in days long past, and tons of materials. I had contact with three employees of the library and each one was helpful and pleasant. I did not have a chance to go upstairs, but I did meet up with another parent friend of mine who informed me the children's area was wonderful. On my way out I got to pick up copies of the Toledo Free Press, City Paper and Development News as well as a quick look at the wares being sold by Friends of the library. In case you are wondering, yes I did also find the book my son wanted, plus several computer geek books for me. All in all a very productive stop this morning. Congratulations to the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library!
Checking Out the Library
By Tami N - Posted on July 12th, 2008
You can use the library's computer cataloge system. Locate the book you want and request the tranfer it from anywhere in the system to your local branch.
I do agree with you the Main Branch is impressive.
People around here need to understand a few things:
1. You're taxed to provide for this library system, so you should use it.
2. You should educate yourself, so you MUST use it.
3. Some of these old library buildings have wonderful architecture, which bears admiration. The West Toledo library is particularly nice, even after the remodeling.
I was at the main branch yesterday for the first time... ever, I think. I might have been there when I was a kid, but I don't recall.
I'd gone to photocopy one page out of a book I needed for genealogy research, a book from Fairfield county no less, and was quite impressed with what I saw, not just in the building itself, but in the genealogy collection as well. I've always supported the library come levy time because I strongly believe in their purpose. After what I saw yesterday, I'm more convinced than ever that it's money well spent.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3280/2572408869_2ce7249094_o.jpg
Wow...just wow.
I'm not even sure I know what to say in response to that. Holy cow.
P.S. I do agree that the downtown library is impressive. Haven't taken my kids to the downtown location yet, but I hope to get them there. (They've been to the library - just not the down town location.)
To share that on the Society for Librarians Who Say M*otherf*cker page?
I'd shake my head in disbelief, but anyone who has ever worked with the public at all will understand that this is all too common...