Sustainability

The Westerville Public Library is committed to increasing sustainability through environmental, fiscal, and social sustainability initiatives. (For details, view our 2023-2028 strategic plan.)

Environmental Sustainability

Discover ways to becoming more environmentally sustainable with the help of your library.

Costume Swap: Free Shopping Day

Sep 20th | 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Shop between 1-5pm for new & gently used costumes & accessories donated by community members. No cost and no donation required.

Costume Swap: Accepting Donations

Aug 1st - Sep 15th | All day
Donate your new or gently used costumes and accessories for this free swap. Donations should be clean and in good condition.

Earth Day (Streaming Movies)

Explore inspiring films on Kanopy that highlight the beauty of our planet and advocate for its protection.

Westerville Community Energy Savings Program

The Westerville Electric Division offers a rebate program for smart thermostats to reduce energy use during times of high electric demands.

Puzzle & Game Swap (Take Home)

Take a puzzle or a board game. Leave one. No need to return what you borrow. (Located on the 2nd floor. No missing pieces, please.)

Seed Library

Borrow, grow, return and learn with an ever-changing selection of free seeds.

Electricity Usage Monitors

How much does it cost to power your household appliances? This handy little contraption can tell you.

Story Trails

Enjoy the fresh air, a stroll...and a story! This literacy adventure builds reading skills and creates memories. For all ages.

Make a Natural Deodorant (Online Class)

Many traditional deodorants contain harsh chemicals, so it’s understandable to want a simpler, more natural option.

Tetra Pak Printing (Online Class)

Unlock the potential of everyday materials by transforming food packaging into printmaking plates that yield beautiful, accessible results.

Seed Bombs (Online Class)

Learn how to make seed bombs for your garden, just in time for spring!

Yarn Scrap Earrings (Online Class)

Bust up your stash of extra yarn with these fun earrings.

Sew Upcycled Kid’s Clothes (Online Class)

Dressing your kids in clothes you’ve made is rewarding but dressing them in recycled clothes destined for a landfill is even more so.

Blueberry Awards 2024

Check out the best nature and climate change books for kids 3 - 10+ from 2024.

Design a Replacement Part Using 3D Printing (Online Course)

Creating replacement parts for household appliances & furniture (like a broken oven knob or draw pull) is a great use of desktop 3D printer.

Top 10 Sustainability Themed Children's Books 2024

Delve into these books about nature, conservation, and communities for kids!

Sew a Scrappy Bear Draft Stopper (Online Class)

Prevent that chilly winter air from seeping under your door with this fantastic scrap buster. Beginner-friendly.

Sustainable Wrapping Paper (Online Class)

Learn how to use recycled materials and a bit of a paint to make a suite of custom, complementary wrapping paper

How to Mend Clothing (Online Class)

Learn how to darn knits and woven fabrics using crochet on both flat and curved surfaces.

Green Your Home

Discover ways to move towards zero-waste, increase your home's efficiency, switch to eco-friendly cleaning supplies, and more.

Repotting and Propagation of Houseplants (Online Class)

Experience the magic of coaxing new growth - your plants and the friends you share them with will thank you for it!

Sustainable Play: Make a Dollhouse Cafe (Online Class)

Suzy Ultman shows you how to transform an ordinary cardboard box into an extraordinarily cute dollhouse cafe.

Eco-Friendly Giftwrap Ideas (Online Class)

Use and reuse things you have at home to create beautifully wrapped gifts that are nearly too pretty to open.

Make Upcycled T-Shirt Yarn (Online Class)

Chunky, cotton, upcycled yarn is simple to make when you have access to just two things: an old T-shirt and a pair of scissors.

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Fiscal Sustainability

Discover how to be more fiscally sustainable with the help of your library.

Community Service Coordinator: One-on-One Help, part of a series

Are you a Westerville resident in need of assistance with health, financial, or lifestyle needs? If so, get personalized assistance.

Tax Forms & Information

Find tax forms, information, and assistance.

Value Line

Smart research. Smarter investing.

Consumer Reports Online

Save money. Buy to last. Shop smart.

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Social Sustainability

Social sustainability involves a focus on the well-being of people and communities. Discover how to be more socially sustainable with the help of your library.

Great Decisions Discussion Group

4th Mondays (1pm)
Westerville Senior Center
Discuss world affairs, based on articles and documentaries from the Foreign Policy Association.

Donate to a Food Pantry

Drop off food and non-perishable to benefit WARM (Westerville Area Resource Ministry) in the green cart located in the atrium.

Blood Pressure Station

Check your blood pressure where you check out books! Located in the atrium.

Community Service Coordinator: One-on-One Help, part of a series

Are you a Westerville resident in need of assistance with health, financial, or lifestyle needs? If so, get personalized assistance.

Need help? Call 2-1-1.

Looking for food assistance, legal advice, health care, or housing services? Call 2-1-1 for help. (All calls are free and confidential.)

What assistive technology & accessibility tools do you have?

The Westerville Public Library offers various assistive technology and tools for persons with disabilities and other special needs.

How to Find Legal Forms: Tip Sheet

Discover numerous resources for finding legal forms for estate planning, landlord/tenant tasks, and more.

Book Clubs

Find out about the book clubs hosted by the library or learn how to start and host your own.

Volunteer at the Library

You can contribute to the library in valuable ways.

Citizenship & Immigration Resources

Check out these resources for your citizenship exam and immigration information needs.

Voting Guide

Register to vote. Fill out an absentee ballot. Find your polling location. And more at the library.

Consumer Health Complete

Make informed medical decisions with health-related brochures, encyclopedias, magazine articles and more.

NuWav Legal Documents

Get the everyday legal forms you need, for free. No special skills or extensive knowledge of the law is required.

Upcoming Events

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Library Accomplishments

For every $1.00 spent by the Westerville Public Library, the total economic benefit provided to our community is $3.61. (This amount was determined using 2023 data and the Ohio Library Council's ROI Calculator.)

American Heart Association grants $2,500 to library.

Jun 02, 2025
The Westerville Public Library used these funds to launch a community-based blood pressure monitoring hub.

Westerville Public Library hosts Shadow Day for WCSD student

“I think it’s really interesting seeing how libraries work and I think I would really enjoy working here,” Witt said.

$1,889 grant brings bubbles, barnyard animals, and beats.

Mar 26, 2025
Thanks to State Library of Ohio and Institute of Museum and Library Services for a $1,889 grant to host educational events this summer.

Library Earns Award for 2023 Popular Annual Financial Report

Feb 18, 2025
GFOA has given an Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting for its 2023 Popular Annual Financial Report.

Library Earns Certificate for Financial Report (2017-2023)

Dec 10, 2024
The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to Westerville Public Library by GFOA

Bringing Home Anti-Saloon League Items with $13,827 Grant

Nov 14, 2024
After more than 50 years, it’s time to bring more than 600-linear-feet of materials back to the library and museum.

Fiscal Officer Receives Auditor of State Award (2017-2023)

Aug 22, 2024
The Auditor of State announced that the Westerville Public Library has qualified for the Ohio Auditor of State Award with Distinction.

3 Library Projects Reduce Environmental Impact, Save Money

Feb 13, 2024
LED lighting, HVAC upgrades & an electric van help save on energy costs while also maintaining good stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

Sustainable Play: Holiday Crafts (Online Class)

Upcycle regular cereal and cracker boxes into handmade holiday magic.

$6,000 Grant Makes Translation for Tech Training Possible

Aug 21, 2023
In-person workshops build on virtual digital literacy courses created in collaboration with the Public Library Association and AT&T.

Zero-waste goals made easier with research tools.

A challenge for our team was how to generate a list of contacts that we wanted to reach out to about available resources.

Library hosts first Shadow Day... | Westerville City Schools

During the event, students learned about the variety of careers throughout the various departments at the library.

The Columbus Foundation grants $5,589 for archival efforts

Jul 28, 2022
Westerville History Museum will use to improve archival storage for historic collections of photographs, artwork, and oversized artifacts.

Named a Water Quality Partner by FSWCD (2021)

Jun 30, 2021
Businesses that a pledge to be a steward of natural resources.

Library receives mini-grant for Census 2020

Dec 19, 2019
On December 19, 2019, the American Library Association announced that the Westerville Public Library will be receiving mini-grant

Library selected for $1,000 Grow with Google grant

Jul 10, 2019
The American Library Association announced that the Westerville Library was selected to participate in Libraries Lead with Digital Skills

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Erin Francoeur

Originally from the Midwest, Erin Francoeur (rhymes with "encore") has followed her passion for libraries from Kansas to California.

Mike H

Mike is passionate about providing a quality experience to all who visit the library.

Amanda A.

When she’s not telling you about all the amazing things available for kids at the library, she’s likely watching a British mystery.

Catie W.

Catie enjoys sharing her favorite audiobooks, cookbooks, and graphic novels with library visitors.
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