Busiest library branch credits prime location

690,000 books checked out in 2011

3/7/2012
BY ASHLEY STREICHERT
BLADE STAFF WRITER
The Sylvania branch's location at 6749 Monroe St. plays a role in keeping the site busy, said a library official.
The Sylvania branch's location at 6749 Monroe St. plays a role in keeping the site busy, said a library official.

Toledo-Lucas County Public Library has chosen the Sylvania branch as its first spotlight library of the month.

With more than 690,000 books checked-out and almost 250,000 patrons visiting in 2011, Sylvania is the busiest branch in the system.

And the branch at 6749 Monroe St. achieved that even though it is open fewer hours than the next busiest branch.

Sanger at 3030 W. Central Ave. in Toledo, is open on Sundays, unlike Sylvania, but still had 60,000 fewer books in circulation and 10,000 fewer patrons in 2011 than Sylvania.

"Its location plays a role," said Nicole Naylor, assistant manager of branch services for the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library. "If you have to drive by the library each time you go to the grocery store, you're more likely to stop in."

The Sylvania staff's creativity has led to partnerships with the Sylvania schools, preschools, and Kingston Residence, and events such as book discussions at the Victory Center, a multigenerational book club with Sunset Village, a writing workshop for veterans, and programs with Olander Park. The library also provides on-site services to area preschools and day-care centers.

Its staff is developing programs for the developmentally disabled and have conducted a successful writing workshop for veterans, said Rhonda Sewell, a spokesman for the Main Library.

"They are out-of-the-box thinkers," Ms. Sewell said of the Sylvania library staff.

Branch manager Susan Schafer credited the community.

The branch was founded in 1927. It moved to its current location on Monroe Street in 1958, and received an extensive building remodel in 1989.

The Toledo-Lucas County Public Library will highlight a new branch each month in its newsletter. The spotlight branch program was created to let patrons learn new facts about the libraries in the area, Ms. Sewell said. Sylvania is the March spotlight branch.

The Sylvania branch is open from noon to 8:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Contact Ashley Streichert at: astreichert@theblade.com or 419-206-0356.