Worthington Libraries

Worthington Library An Award-Winning System

Worthington Libraries emphasizes core values of service, innovation, collaboration, leadership and fun throughout all of its branches. The library system’s mission is to connect people to a world of ideas and each other, and it’s been doing so in an award-winning way for decades.

Worthington’s library system has been recognized as a five-star library for the past 12 years and has been included as a five-star library in all 14 editions of the published index of Star Libraries, one of only five U.S. public libraries to earn the top honor in every publication. It was named National Library of the Year in 2007, labeled a Top Ten American Library 2009-2010 and earned the John Cotton Dana Award in 2011.

Worthington’s oldest library, Old Worthington Library, was established in its current location in 1978. However, Worthington Libraries has existed in some capacity since the city’s founding in 1803.

Northwest Library is the first library in Ohio – and only the second in the nation – to be built and operated by two library systems, as the location is a cooperative project between the Columbus Metropolitan Library and Worthington Libraries. Since the branch’s opening in 1996, Worthington Libraries has managed the location.

Worthington Park Library, located in Worthington Park Shopping Centre, first opened in 2008.

Old Worthington Library

820 High St. Worthington, OH 43085

Northwest Library

2280 Hard Rd. Columbus, OH 43235

Worthington Park Library

1389 Worthington Centre Dr. Worthington, OH 43085

Hours at all branches

Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday: 1-5 p.m.

Library to Go Lending Machines:

Available at the Lazelle Woods Community Center and the Worthington Community Center. Talk to a librarian: (614) 807-2626 Library administration: (614) 807-2600

Featured Events and Services

Adventure kits: Available for checkout, these kits contain everything you need to go on an adventure. Pick from a range of themes including road trip, bird watching, camping, nature walk, learn the ukulele, learn to sew and Stargazing.

After-hours pickup: Option to pick up materials after hours at any of the locations with no-contact pickup lockers.

Binge Boxes: A binge-worthy box of movies based on a number of different themes: Can You Dig It? (movies of the 1970s), Dino-Mite Movies (dinosaur movies for kids), Don’t Go in the Water (shark movies for adults), Something Sappy (romance movies) and more.

Book sales: Ongoing and quarterly, patrons may support the library system by purchasing donated books and items discarded from Worthington Libraries collection.

Bookdrops: Return materials without leaving your vehicle

Browsing baskets: Available for checkout for 21 days along library items to transport books

Culture passes: Library partners with local organizations to offer free admission to Columbus Museum of Art and Wexner Center for the Arts.

Curbside pickup: No-contact, curbside pickup of reserved items is available for items held at Old Worthington Library and Worthington Park Library.

Educator Card: A library card designed for teachers who want to borrow books for use in their classrooms. The Educator Card is available to anyone who lives or works in Ohio and teaches in a K-12 school or licensed childcare center or provides homeschooling.

Homework help: The Homework Help Centers (HHC) at Worthington Libraries provide students with access to homework assistance, computers, books and other resources they need to get their

homework done. All students grades K-12 are welcome to visit the HHC at any of the library branches.

In-person reference: Stop by the information desk for help with research project assistance and reading recommendations.

Interlibrary loan (ILL) request: Access millions of titles throughout the United States.

Job help: Looking for employment information or searching for a job? From skill building to resumes to interviewing, library staff can answer any job search question. Ask a librarian online and you will receive a response within 12-24 business hours.

Launchpad tablets: Launchpads are kid-friendly tablets pre-loaded with 10 or more apps. Each Launchpad has a theme, such as letters, numbers, creativity, critical thinking or life skills. Launchpads also target specific ages, from preschool up through fifth grade.

Safe Place: Teens who identify as being in crisis can get help at all three Worthington Libraries locations through Columbus’ Safe Place initiative.

Study rooms: Small group gathering spaces are available. Study rooms may be reserved for two-hour blocks, twice a week.

Summer Reading Club: Register online or at any library location to turn reading minutes and library program attendance into books, gift cards and other prizes. For kids & teens and adults.

Business Resources

Computers and software: Anyone with a library card from Worthington Libraries, or from participating Central Library Consortium member libraries, may use library computers. Computers in the adult areas of each library and Digital Media computers may be used in one-hour sessions, which may be extended if others are not waiting, for up to three sessions per day.

Copying and printing: Photocopy machines providing black and white and color copies are available at all library locations at no charge. Printing in black and white and color is available from all computers equipped with Microsoft Office at all library locations at no charge.

Faxing and scanning: Fax services and scanning services are available at all library locations at no charge.

Notary service: Worthington Libraries offers free notary public service. Appointments are required for notary services and are available weekdays, evenings and weekends.

Meeting room reservations: Nonprofit groups looking for meeting space may reserve a meeting room at the library.

Wireless access: Free Wi-Fi access at all locations.

Old Worthington Library

Northwest Library