Blanchester Public Library

Blanchester Public Library An organizational meeting of concerned citizens was held on this date at the home of H.O. Craig with State Librarian Paul Noon in attendance.

History of the Blanchester Public Library

The Blanchester area has been served by libraries of one form or another dating back to the Civil War, but the official founding date of the Blanchester Public Library is May 25, 1935. The first Board of Trustees was elected and state funds were promised. The new library opened Feb. 15, 1936 in a rented room in the Gibson Building on West Main Street with

1,147 books and May Reeder as the first librarian. Alden Shawhan, a library board member who died in 1944, left money in his will to construct a new library building. The library eventually did receive the money, but due to a controversy over the will, the new building at the current location did not open until Nov. 4, 1957. The library more than doubled in space to its current size of 7,500 square feet with an addition in 1988-89. An open house to celebrate the new building was held on Sept. 10, 1989. The Blanchester Public Library, like most public libraries in Ohio, receives the majority of its funding from the state's Public Library Fund. Local voters approved a 1.0 mill operating levy for the library in 1996 and renewed it in 2001 and 2006. Funds from this levy provided about 15 percent of the library's operating budget. The library sought an increase to a 2.0-mill, continuing levy in the spring of 2010, and voters resoundingly approved it by a 63 to 37 percent margin. The library began receiving funds from this levy in 2011, and it provides nearly 40 percent of the annual operating revenue. These funds are indispensable in allowing the library to meet an increasing demand from patrons as monies from the state continue to decrease. The library is one of the nine founding members of the Consortium Of Ohio Libraries (COOL) and in March 2013 went live on the Evergreen system. The move to an open-source circulation system will help the library maintain costs in the future while also providing patrons quick access to about 400,000 items. COOL currently consists of 11 small libraries. Today, the library features more than 55,000 items and nearly 10,000 registered cardholders.

09/06/2026
Today is the last day of our Reading Dragons Crystal Quest! Find all the hidden crystals in the library by 3 p.m. today ...
09/05/2026

Today is the last day of our Reading Dragons Crystal Quest! Find all the hidden crystals in the library by 3 p.m. today to earn a prize.

We are making canvas banner wreaths at this month's Crafty Creations! 🌼 Get crafty with canvas drop cloth and faux green...
09/04/2026

We are making canvas banner wreaths at this month's Crafty Creations! 🌼 Get crafty with canvas drop cloth and faux greenery at our afternoon session on Wednesday, September 9 at 1 p.m. Crafty Creations is always free, and supplies — and instruction — will be provided.

Join us at Booklovers this evening as we discuss "The Good Sister" by Sally Hepworth!
09/03/2026

Join us at Booklovers this evening as we discuss "The Good Sister" by Sally Hepworth!

Meet September's Reading Dragons and Friends! In addition to your 2026 starter cards, you can also read this month to co...
09/02/2026

Meet September's Reading Dragons and Friends! In addition to your 2026 starter cards, you can also read this month to collect:

Caramel Apple 🍎, Crystal 💎, Luxe ✨ and Pond 🪷

Pick up your reading log and starter cards at the front desk anytime during library hours to begin your reading adventure. Read to collect September's Reading Dragons and Friends before October 1!

Happy September! 🌻 Here is what's happening at the library this month.
09/01/2026

Happy September! 🌻 Here is what's happening at the library this month.

Teens, join us this evening at 6 p.m. for Teen Space! 🌟 This 60-minute hangout, snack and activity is perfect for 13-17 ...
09/01/2026

Teens, join us this evening at 6 p.m. for Teen Space! 🌟 This 60-minute hangout, snack and activity is perfect for 13-17 year olds. Play games, craft, chat, and more!

Storytime this week is all about books and libraries! 📚 Join us at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday for book...
09/01/2026

Storytime this week is all about books and libraries! 📚 Join us at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday for books and activities about books and libraries, then decorate a tote bag.

Hello, questers! 💎 Our Reading Dragons Crystal Quest begins now. Find all the hidden crystals in the library to earn a p...
08/31/2026

Hello, questers! 💎 Our Reading Dragons Crystal Quest begins now. Find all the hidden crystals in the library to earn a prize! New quests begin each day. Limit one prize per person (age 17 & under) per day.

Reading Dragons begins today! Pick up your 2026 reading log and starter cards at the front desk anytime during library h...
08/31/2026

Reading Dragons begins today! Pick up your 2026 reading log and starter cards at the front desk anytime during library hours to begin your reading adventure!

Participants will complete reading challenges each month to earn creature cards and build their collection.

Address

110 N Broadway Street
Blanchester, OH
45107

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 7pm
Tuesday 10am - 7pm
Wednesday 10am - 7pm
Thursday 10am - 7pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm

Telephone

(937) 783-3585

Website

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