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Letter from the Director
2024 was a year of expanding access, continued growth, and investing in our community’s future.
The most monumental change in 2024 came in December when the Westerville Public Library gained access to an additional 3.9 million items (a 2059% increase!) from 17 neighboring libraries by joining a shared catalog.
Since then, patrons have enjoyed the convenience of borrowing and returning items owned by other libraries, experiencing shorter waiting times for new and popular items, and accessing more options to manage their account via phone. This change is projected to save $162,000 per year and will allow staff to focus more time on high-value projects and services to benefit the community. As an independent library whose main source of revenue comes from property taxes, this change has increased the library’s resilience and adaptability by sharing resources with neighboring libraries.
Expanding Access
Those living in the southern area of our district now enjoy picking up and returning requested items close to home with the addition of lockers and return bins at the Blendon Township Community Senior Center. This service is popular with nearly 5,000 items picked up from lockers in 2024.
"How excited was I to see I could kill 2 errands with one stop? Returned my library book in the same parking lot as dropping off electronics recycling!" shared Cat, a library patron.
To remove barriers to access and better reflect the community we serve, the library launched a new interpreter service in July 2024 that helps staff have one-on-one conversations with people in over 200 different languages. In addition, core information about library services has been translated into 4 languages commonly spoken in Central Ohio and distributed to community partners throughout the library’s service district, including at English Learner parent meetings in partnership with Westerville City Schools.
And to lessen sensory overload for people visiting the library, sensory kits are now available to borrow at all service desks.
“Love to see this!!” shared the mom of a daughter with autism.
Other changes that increased accessibility in 2024 include the addition of a wheelchair accessible computer for catalog searches on the second floor, the fixing of uneven ground at the parking lot entrance, and the addition of a Spanish storytime in partnership with Otterbein University.
Continued Growth
People attending library-hosted events increased by 55% in 2024. Some event highlights included life-sized Candyland, giant bubbles, Bluey, a prom swap, an author visit with Mary Roach, a solar eclipse viewing party in partnership with the City of Westerville, cooking demonstrations, tax assistance, and music performances.
The Westerville History Museum – located inside the library – welcomed a 190% increase in museum visitors in 2024. Exhibit topics on display ranged from the art of Prohibition propaganda to Ohio’s earthworks to the life of the first Black graduate of Westerville High School and Otterbein University, William Fouse.
People’s love for reading has shined through record attendance at 542 storytimes and a 67% increase in people participating in reading challenges.
“My child reads a ton as is, but this gave him something specific to strive for that aligns with his interests,” shared a survey respondent.
The kids area continues to be a popular place for families. To accommodate larger crowds, the play space was expanded and an interactive projector and building table were added.
By the Numbers
Community Partnerships
After a year of waiting for her egg to hatch, the library welcomed the birth of a new dragon with help from students at Otterbein University. Affectionately named Agnes, her name was inspired by Agnes Meyer Driscoll, a code breaker during WWII who once lived in the house that is now the Westerville History Museum.
Students who helped work on the dragon represent a wide range of majors, including art, engineering, graphic design, zoology, and psychology. Curtis Smith (Maker Space and Laboratory Operations Manager at Otterbein University) said one of the key lessons the students learn is the law of physics. When building in 3D, “there are a lot of things that just don’t work, or we haven’t yet discovered a way to make them work”.
The dragon was made possible by the generosity of Julian & Grube, the Law Office of Gene Hollins, Nichols & Company CPAs, and those who generously donated to the baby shower.
Agnes’ appeal plus the addition of a homemade TARDIS to the Wizards & Wands Festival helped to attract a record number of 4,620 people participating in October.
“I just love how libraries have included reaching out and attracting the communities they're in. And I am sure for many they are a social hub or/and a safe, fun place to be,” shared a survey respondent.
An exciting milestone was celebrated in 2024 - the 20th anniversary of school deliveries. Since 2004, a total of 343,313 items have been delivered – an average of 94 items per delivery day. This milestone achievement wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Westerville City Schools teachers and staff.
"It’s so convenient for our voracious readers who can’t get transportation to the library. I don’t know another school system who has this kind of partnership. It’s revolutionary. I have a student who is so into robotics – he'll finish a robotics book in a day. And another kid who wants to know everything about the stock market. I don’t have enough money in my budget to buy 30 books on the stock market. There’s a girl who wanted to learn about welding. Another student who is interested in forensics. There are bakers who want to learn to cook because they’re cooking for their families. I can lean on the Westerville Public Library for these specialized books," shared Geneva Tran, School Media Specialist at Walnut Springs Middle School.
Another fun milestone to celebrate was the 100th anniversary of the 3C Highway opening in Westerville. In partnership with the City of Westerville, sidewalk decals with facts about transportation history were placed throughout Uptown Westerville and the library hosted activities and vintage vehicles during 4th Friday.
Coincidentally, the Westerville Division of Water also celebrated a centennial with the 100th anniversary of their water treatment plant. Before 1924, Westerville residents relied on well water, but the city’s growing population needed access to a much greater quantity of safe, potable water that was free of viruses and bacteria. A mini exhibit highlighting the water treatment plant and the history of water towers in Westerville welcomed residents to celebrate the milestone.
Other successful community partnerships involved a focus on social sustainability, including:
- an author visit with Nic Stone for the MLK Day Breakfast in partnership with Leadership Westerville
- an author visit with Ta-Nahisi Coates in collaboration with 10 neighboring libraries
- a community-wide book read and author visit with Jerry Craft in partnership with WeRISE for Greater Westerville
- 3,000 activity kits distributed to kids via WARM
- and a federal work study program for nursing students in partnership with Fortis College.
Investing in Our Community’s Future
As workforce development continues to be an important way to ensure that people have the skills and knowledge to meet current and future job demands, the Innovation Lab and other continuing education tools at the library are becoming more popular.
People used the recording studio, digital creation station, and advanced design stations 1,726 times in 2024 and purchased 696 3D and custom prints.
Entrepreneur Jordan McLaughlin recently designed a successful board game called Don’t Get Stabbed using computer software available at the library to create the artwork.
“I didn’t have money, so I went to the Westerville Public Library to teach myself how to do computer illustration with InDesign,” he shared with The Columbus Dispatch.
Another entrepreneur, Seokjung Kim, recognized a need for chemical-free baby wipes for those with sensitive skin and allergies. He used the camera in the Innovation Lab to improve the quality of his product photos.
“I’m a big fan of public libraries. I sincerely want to thank all the staff and volunteers who make these amazing places possible. They provided me with opportunities to grow, learn and have fun. I am truly grateful!” shared Seokjung.
Staff member Adrien worked with an elementary school class who was interested in learning about 3D printing. The class worked together to create a 3D design and Adrien offered suggestions to improve the design to ensure the print was structurally sound and easy to reproduce. The students were excited to see their creation come to life using the library’s 3D printing service.
Other projects included the filming of a Doritos commercial for the Super Bowl contest, creating a custom locket for a gift using the Cricut and craft printer, printing mailing labels for holiday cards, and digitizing family photos.
People also used the library’s free access to LinkedIn Learning, Tutor.com, Creativebug, and other tools 8,798 times to complete courses for continuing education and job development.
“I just completed ‘How to Research and Write Using Generative AI Tools’ on LinkedIn Learning, using the Westerville Public Library to access the service. I took some good nuggets of wisdom from the course, and I can't wait to see how I might use the learnings in my day-to-day work,” shared Josh on LinkedIn.
These tools are just some examples of the way that the library is investing in our community’s future.
“A friend (who doesn’t live in Westerville) was telling me that he didn’t like the library taxes and that we should close the libraries because no one uses them. My response was I am at the library 2-3 times a week picking up or dropping off items that my husband and I have borrowed from the library. We borrow books, magazines, CDs, DVDs and use Hoopla, Libby, and PressReader. We have both attended programs at the library on topics from nutrition, cooking, painting, crafting, flower arranging to drones. The library is the best bargain we get from our taxes,” shared a patron after attending a library class.
We want to thank voters again for recognizing the value of the library and continuing to invest in us as a community resource by passing a 0.75-mill additional operating levy in November 2024.
For almost 100 years, the Westerville Public Library has been a place for people of any age to find what they need to help improve their quality of life. This additional funding will help us continue to do so each day, while expanding access and growing our collections and services for years to come.
Looking Ahead
In 2025, we are looking forward to further expanding access with a vending machine, pickup lockers and return bins in Genoa Township, our second permanent offsite borrowing location open 24 hours a day.
And we will launching two new exhibits in the Westerville History Museum: Dry Capital of the World and Williams Grill: 1887-1975 in June.
As our community continues to grow, we look forward to growing with you.
Erin Francoeur
Executive Director (February 12, 2025)
