Director's message - Summer 2026

Here comes summer! I'm so excited for all we have in store for library visitors this season.

Our 2026 Summer Reading Club, Reading is Dino-mite!, starts on May 22 and continues through August 2. With its dinosaur theme and prizes galore, it's sure to be a huge hit with readers of all ages.

Summer also brings the return of our Summer Movie Series, presented in partnership with Worthington Parks and Recreation. Join us under the stars as we screen "Zootopia 2" on June 5, "Elio" on July 17 and the live-action version of "How To Train Your Dragon" on August 21.

All library programs are sponsored by the Friends Foundation of Worthington Libraries, which we greatly appreciate, but the key to their success is you! In 2025, library programs were attended by more than 57,000 people and more than 8,700 people registered for the summer reading club. In addition, more than 40,000 people visit our library each month.

We see evidence every day of how much our community uses and values our library, but a recent statewide survey, conducted by the Ohio Library Council, found:

• 90% of Ohioans say public libraries are important to their local community, and rank among the highest rated local services
• 69% recall a specific time their library helped them personally
• 87% say they get their money's worth from library services for the taxes they pay
• 71% believe libraries provide many of the most basic services people rely on every day

Our libraries provide families with programs that are both educational and fun. We process passport applications, offer free notary appointments and provide Wi-Fi and computer access. Through our partnership with 17 other central Ohio library systems, patrons can access a collection of more than one million unique items and have them delivered to the location of their choosing. Libraries provide people with free space to meet, read, relax, connect and disconnect. There's no better place to escape the algorithm than the Library!

I hope you'll escape to the Library this summer by joining the summer reading club, checking out some books (as many as you can carry!) or attending one of our amazing programs. Consider it a challenge to use your library as much as you can.