Westerville Public Library history

In 1809, Garrit Sharp and his family became the first people to establish a residence in what is now considered Westerville city limits.

On January 24, 1816, Matthew and Peter bought 890 acres of land along the eastern bank of Alum Creek for $3,562.

By 1818, four Westervelt siblings were living in the area that would become Westerville.

In 1820, Gideon Hart built a home on his farm along Hempstead Road.

In 1840, the community was officially named Westerville after the Westervelt family, in part due to their generous land donations.

In 1855, the Westerville School District was established.

Westerville was incorporated as a village in 1858, and John Haywood became the community’s first mayor.

In 1860, Westerville’s Fire Division was established and remained a volunteer fire division for more than 100 years.

The Westerville railroad was built in 1873, spurring economic activity for a number of mills throughout Westerville, including the Everal Tile Company.

In 1898, Westerville established its own electric division.

In 1901, Westerville had a burgeoning population of 1,462, and officials opened the city’s first water treatment plant.

Westerville became the epicenter of a national debate about the legality of alcohol in 1909, when the Anti-Saloon League moved its headquarters from Chicago to Westerville.

Westerville’s first paid police officers were hired in 1915 (today, the Police Division is comprised of more than 80 trained personnel). The following year, Westerville became the third municipality in the United States and first village in Ohio to adopt a council-manager style of government.

In 1930, Westerville’s first public library was opened in the old Purley Baker home, which was owned by the Anti-Saloon League.

Construction on Westerville’s first city park began in 1934.

By 1940, Westerville’s population had grown to 3,146; 10 years later, it was 4,102.

In 1955, the Westerville Public Library moved to its current location at 126 S. State Street.

In 1973, the sole trustee of the Anti-Saloon League donated to the library their headquarters, land and extensive 200,000 volume temperance collection.

In 1979, a levy was passed and 17,820 square feet of space was added to the library, including a public meeting room and a study area.

In 1988, Don W. Barlow assumed the directorship when Miss Bradford retired after 36 years.

The implementation of the plan began in 1991 with dial-up access, enabling patrons to use their computer and modem at home or at the office to search the library's database.

When levy requests failed in 1992 to fund an expansion and operational costs, the ever-increasing space needs could not be addressed.

Barlow presented a new formula for success, innovation + technology = cost savings, and brought about exciting changes in the library in 1993.

On May 2, 1995, voters responded with 63% saying a resounding "Yes" to the expansion project which will add 27,000 square feet to the facility, providing space for our expanding collection, increased seating, and a technology center.

The ribbon cutting was held in 1997, with the purchase of the product to take place soon after in 300 libraries across the country.

The expanded and refurbished library facility went on display at grand opening festivities held March 1, 1998.

In September 1999 the library received national recognition when Hennen's American Public Library Rating Index rated 9,000 libraries nationwide and named Westerville Public Library top-ranked library No.

In 2000, book delivery to homebound and senior citizen facilities increased by 135%. The Library partnered with Mt.

The funding for libraries in Ohio was a major concern in 2001 as the income tax proceeds took a dip, causing the state to reduce the Library and Local Government Support Fund, the source of 95% of the Library's funding.

With funding in place in 2003, the Library moved forward with facility repairs that had been put on hold.

In September 2004 the library broke ground on the $3.2 million renovation and expansion project.

In 2005, the library celebrated 75 years of service to the Westerville community, sharing cake with hundreds of well-wishers who toured the nearly-completed expansion project, enjoyed music in the atrium and watched slides portraying the bygone years.

Circulation topped 1.9 million items by the end of 2007.

In 2014, the library was ranked as one of the Best Employers in Ohio and Columbus Parent's Best Children's Area and Best Story Times.