ANNUAL REPORT 2024 PREPARED BY: WCPL ADMINISTRATION
To the People of Williams County, Thank you. That is the message at the heart of this year’s report. Everything we accomplished in 2024 was made possible by the trust and support you continue to show your library. When voters renewed our levy, it was more than just a financial decision. It was a clear message that the people of this county believe in the importance of public libraries. Your support allows us to remain open six days a week, offer free programs for all ages, and continue providing the resources our communities count on. This past year, we also secured the future site for the Pioneer Branch, which marks a major step forward in serving the northern part of the county. We expanded our local history collection and began the process of digitizing our photographic archive, as well as our newspaper microfilm, to help preserve and share the stories that define this county. We strengthened our partnerships with schools, civic groups, and local organizations to build a stronger network of service and support. In an effort to be as transparent as possible about the work we do, this report includes an overview of our finances, highlights from each of our branches, and key statistics from 2024. It reflects the reach and impact of the library throughout the county and gives you a look at what your support has helped us accomplish. Whether you voted, donated, volunteered, attended a program, or simply stopped in to browse the shelves, thank you. This is your library. We are proud to serve you and look forward to what lies ahead. See you at the library, DYLAN WAGNER DIRECTOR A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR Dylan Wagner
127,169 Physical Items in Our Collection 130,000 Visitors (Based on a Typical Week) 11,782 Cardholders 13,274 Wireless Sessions 38,543 Program Attendance 7,834 Public Computer Uses 14,508 Open Hours 7,507 Summer Reading Attendance Adult (Physical) 31.6% Digital 29.7% Youth (Physical) 29.2% Interlibrary Loans 9.5% Adult (Physical) 139,437 Youth (Physical) 128,918 Digital 131,342 Other Items 361 Interlibrary Loans 41,760 TOTAL 441,818 NUMBERS AT A GLANCE 2024 Circulation
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW In 2024, the Williams County Public Library maintained a sound financial position, ending the year with total operating revenue of $2,756,563 and total expenditures of $2,657,718. This resulted in a net positive balance of $98,845, or a 3.7% margin, reflecting responsible financial stewardship and strong public support. The majority of WCPL’s revenue came from public funding sources. The Public Library Fund (PLF) provided $1,253,536, while the library’s two local property tax levies contributed an additional $1,280,328. The library also received $83,884 in intergovernmental reimbursements, including homestead and rollback credits. Other revenue sources, such as donations, fines, and fees, added $138,815, helping to diversify income and support special programs. On the expenditure side, personnel remained the largest category, totaling $1,805,516, reflecting the library’s investment in staffing across its six branches. Other key expenses included $196,453 for new materials, $121,186 in capital improvements, and $300,034 in various operational expenses. Contracted services and supplies added up to $234,529, ensuring library facilities, technology, and day-to-day operations were well supported. Across Ohio, 2024 brought a decline in PLF distributions, driven by changes in the state’s tax revenue and budget formula. Many libraries experienced funding reductions, and WCPL felt this impact as well. However, thanks to stable local levy income, the library was able to maintain services, continue facility improvements, and plan for long-term growth without sacrificing patron access. With the trust and investment of our patrons and communities, WCPL remains committed to transparency, accountability, and delivering services that meet evolving local needs. OPERATING EXPENDITURES 2024 Personnel $1,805,516 Supplies $117,751 Contracted Services $116,778 Materials $196,453 Capital Improvements $121,186 Misc. $300,034 Total: $2,657,718 OPERATING REVENUE 2024 Public Library Fund $1,253,536 Library Levy $1,280,328 Intergovernmental Incl Homestead $83,884 Misc. (Donations, Fees, etc.) $138,815 Total: $2,756,563
In 2024, the Bryan Main Branch offered a wide range of adult programs that brought the community together through creativity, education, literature, and culture. The library supported six active book clubs, including both in-house and offsite groups. A standout among them was We Be Book’N, a bi-weekly book club specifically designed for adults with disabilities. Led by Jonell Combs, the group reads stories with characters facing medical or physical challenges. In March, the library partnered with The Ability Center and Williams County Board of Developmental Disabilities for, “Challenging the Stigma”. This annual event combats the stigmas associated with disabilities and highlights the services and organizations that champion disability awareness in the community. It was an evening filled with education, advocacy, creativity, and so much fun! In April, patrons gathered to witness a 99.9% partial solar eclipse, just outside the path of totality. Equipped with safety glasses provided by the library, attendees enjoyed a rare astronomical event that sparked curiosity along with community connection. The Friends of the Bryan Library held a Used Book Sale to raise proceeds to support programs and services at the Bryan Main Library. The sale is filled with books for all ages, popular authors, and many different genres. Another annual event is Fountain City Fandemonium, which is a celebration of fandoms of all kinds! With a yearly attendance of over 500 people, the whole community is able to enjoy this free event at Bryan Main. Fandemonium offers special guests, a Costume Contest, panels, vendors, authors, artists, and more. BRYAN MAIN-ADULT SERVICES
The Youth Services Department at Bryan Main continues to grow as a vibrant, welcoming space for young readers from birth through their teen years. In 2024, the department focused on expanding both its physical space and its outreach into the community. A major milestone was the completion of Rachel’s Garden, an outdoor reading and activity area adjacent to the Children’s Department. Named in honor of Rachel Donahue, former WCPL employee and benefactress of the Children’s Dept., the garden includes benches, a picnic table, vibrant flowers, and engaging activities. Inside, the team also began developing a new infant and toddler area, including a cozy rocking chair and soft play space near the board books. The department partnered with five area schools, welcoming class visits and promoting early literacy through outreach efforts. As part of Bryan City Schools’ annual kindergarten visit, the library issued over 80 new library cards, helping build early connections with the library. Youth programming saw major growth this year, expanding from two to four regular book clubs. The Homeschool Young Artists Workshop nearly doubled in attendance and led to the creation of a new art program specifically for teens, allowing more opportunities for creative expression. The 2024 Summer Reading Program was a standout success, featuring The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. Children enjoyed a themed “campfire” group reading, mythology bingo, and a capture the flag game. In addition, the library partnered with Bryan Parks & Recreation to create a temporary story walk at Moore Park and hosted the Exotic Zoo at the Bryan Amphitheater, drawing a crowd of around 300 attendees. Another amazing partnership was with Christkindl to end the 2024 year with a “Gingerbread House Decorating Contest”! Spangler Candy Co. generously provided candy for the house decorations. Whether through books, art, hands-on activities, or community partnerships, the Youth Services Department continues to be a place where imagination, learning, and fun come together every day. BRYAN MAIN-CHILDREN’S SERVICES
In 2024, the Local History and Genealogy Center at Bryan Main continued to serve as a valuable resource for preserving and sharing Williams County’s past. Staff assisted with hundreds of patron inquiries related to genealogy and local history, completed 369 research requests, and responded to 395 obituary requests. They also added 1,437 obituaries to the library’s index and entered 1,261 photographs into the Huffman Photographic Archive. Monthly programs throughout the year included sessions on gravestone cleaning and preservation, ghost towns of Williams County, Native American history, and the annual Fountain Grove and Riverside Cemetery tours. These programs created opportunities to explore local heritage and gain hands-on experience with historical topics. The department played a key role in supporting the 200th anniversary of Williams County’s founding. Staff contributed historical research and photographs to the county’s bicentennial opening ceremony, assisted with a countywide scavenger hunt, and provided materials for The Village Reporter’s special commemorative publication. Monthly showcases of local business, hobby, and history collections were organized by LHC staff and the collections were housed in our display cases. The public was able to view these collections during open hours. Efforts to improve access to historical materials continued with the expansion of the library’s digitized newspaper collection on Newspapers.com. In 2024, three additional newspapers—the Tri-State Alliance (1891–1974), the Leader Enterprise (1880–2019), and the Edgerton Earth (1909–2022)—were added to the platform. With this addition, the total number of digitized local newspaper pages available through WCPL’s partnership stands at 670,000, accessible to anyone using the library’s Wi-Fi or public computers. The Local History Center also joined the statewide Ohio Obituary Index project through a new partnership with the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums. By contributing over 120,000 WCPL-indexed obituaries to the project, these records are now searchable online and available through Ancestry.com, providing greater reach and visibility for researchers across Ohio and beyond. BRYAN MAIN-LOCAL HISTORY CENTER
BRYAN MAIN-OUTREACH Outreach Services at Williams County Public Library continued to be a vital extension of our mission in 2024—serving as both a personal librarian for those unable to visit our branches and a friendly face representing the library at events across the county. With a growing roster of over 40 homebound patrons, our Outreach Coordinator delivers materials directly to those who can’t make it to the library, averaging 60 to 65 personalized deliveries each month. These deliveries aren’t just about dropping off books— they’re about building relationships. Whether visiting individuals in their homes or residents at all three Bryan nursing facilities, our Outreach staff spend time with each patron, getting to know their reading tastes, interests, and life stories. This thoughtful approach helps ensure every patron receives materials they truly enjoy. Outreach Services also played an active role in community visibility and engagement throughout the year. From summer and winter parades—where our signature library cargo van is easy to spot—to school open houses, local festivals, farmers markets, car shows, and even a Fourth of July celebration at a campground, the library was there. Each appearance was an opportunity to share what WCPL offers—from youth clubs and summer programs to our Chilton auto repair database and local history services. In a special 2024 partnership, WCPL joined forces with the Ohio State Extension Office to bring the “Real World, Real Money” program to Bryan High School seniors, helping prepare students to manage finances in life beyond graduation. And thanks to the Outreach department’s ongoing Summer Book Giveaway, over 300 books were distributed to children throughout Williams County, accompanied by program calendars, bookmarks, and other goodies to spark their love for reading.
EDGERTON BRANCH The Edgerton Branch Library experienced a vibrant and community-centered year in 2024, marked by new additions, dynamic programming, and strong local partnerships. The year began with a generous grant from the Edgerton Area Foundation, which allowed the library to purchase a beautiful oak display unit for showcasing new arrivals. In early spring, the Friends of the Library unveiled a tribute tree in honor of those who contributed to the purchase of the library building—a heartfelt gesture celebrating the spirit of community giving. Art remained a central focus throughout the year, with monthly classes offered for children, teens, and adults. These sessions continued to draw enthusiastic participation and provided a welcoming space for creativity and connection. In May, the library invited patrons of all ages to bring in an empty flower pot and design their own porch masterpiece using annuals provided by the library, resulting in a colorful and well-loved program. Summer brought both outdoor revitalization and adventure. The library’s backyard area received a muchneeded facelift with refreshed landscaping. Meanwhile, the Summer Reading Program was well attended by families and readers of all ages, building excitement and enthusiasm around books and learning. As part of the season’s festivities, the Friends of the Library also sponsored a live band concert in town to bring the community together in celebration. The library embraced holiday cheer in December during its annual Christmas Open House, featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as appearances by the Edgerton festival queens. Throughout the year, Edgerton also continued its tradition of honoring the town’s seniors by hosting community breakfasts in both spring and winter. In May, the library welcomed retired U.S. Secret Service agent Radford Jones and his wife Nancy as guest speakers. In December, students from local schools performed holiday songs for attendees, creating a joyful and intergenerational gathering. Through it all, the Edgerton Branch remained a place where neighbors connect, stories are shared, and creativity thrives. The dedication of the library staff, the Friends group, and the community has ensured that the library continues to grow as a welcoming and cherished hub for all.
EDON BRANCH In 2024, our library hosted a variety of events that catered to all ages and interests, making it a year full of creativity, fun, and learning. For our younger patrons, we offered a wide range of hands-on programs, starting with the imaginative world of Legos and messy art days that allowed kids to explore their creativity in new ways. Our Kids Cooking classes were a hit, teaching little chefs how to create delicious treats, while our Kids Craft Days and Take & Make Crafts inspired artistic expression. Story Time was offered for our youngest visitors, fostering a love for books and storytelling. Families joined us for interactive events like Family Bingo, Family Movie Nights, and Santa Day, where they could create lasting memories together. We even hosted a special "Write a Letter to Santa" event that allowed kids to express their holiday wishes in a personalized and fun way. Our Senior Center Craft Days provided a space for seniors to come together, socialize, and explore new crafts. Classes such as Diamond Painting, Glass Etching, Fiber Arts and Candle Making offered creative outlets for teens and adults. Two monthly Book Clubs encouraged reading and provided a welcoming space for discussion and connection among book lovers. Patrons enjoyed many interactive book displays, such as our Blind Date with a Book and Book vs Movie contests. The Summer Reading Program was another highlight of the year. Our Scavenger Hunt sparked excitement as families searched for hidden treasures, while Science Central brought the wonders of science to life. Pirate Month took participants on an adventurous journey with activities like making Tic-Tac-Toe games, creating binoculars, and even making marshmallow slime! The Peter Pan Pirate Escape Room was a thrilling challenge, and outdoor Pirate Games added extra fun. Children also enjoyed making memory boxes, solar bead bracelets, birdhouses, and pirate hats, while the Traveling Bug Zoo introduced them to the fascinating world of insects. We even took a fun Ice Cream Trip and created beautiful Gelatin Flower Sun catchers. The inflatable water slide brought tons of laughter and excitement to those that participated. Whether it was creating something special in our creative classes or taking part in outdoor games and Summer Reading, 2024 was a year full of imaginative learning, skill-building, and joyful moments for our community. We can’t wait to bring even more fun programs to our library next year!
PIONEER BRANCH The Pioneer Branch Library was filled with energy, excitement, and connection in 2024. Last summer, our community truly showed up for the Summer Reading Program, logging over 5,000 books read. Thanks to our dedicated readers of all ages and the enthusiasm of library staff, we reached our ambitious reading goal together. Whether books were read on road trips, in blanket forts, or under sunny skies, the joy of reading was felt throughout the season. We were also proud to partner with NOCAC to provide free lunches for children during the summer. After a nutritious meal, kids stayed to enjoy engaging library programs in a space that was welcoming and inclusive. With continued support from NOCAC and our local police department, this important collaboration will return in 2025, ensuring children in our community have what they need to grow and thrive. Throughout the year, the library offered a variety of enriching programs. A standout event was our fall floral workshop with Jess Tracey from The Cocky Blossom, where patrons designed beautiful autumn centerpieces and learned the art of seasonal arranging. The evening was full of laughter, creativity, and vibrant fall color. One of our most cherished weekly traditions was "Take a Break Wednesdays," where the scent of coffee and donuts brought neighbors together. These simple mornings became a favorite way to relax, share stories, and strengthen community ties. Young readers found a special friend in K9 Vader, our beloved reading buddy. Each week, children practiced their reading skills with Vader by their side, building confidence and enjoying a unique bond with this gentle, four-legged listener. And for a truly unforgettable day, the Exotic Zoo brought the animal kingdom to us! Families were delighted by up-close encounters with snakes, curious critters, and even a kangaroo. The event was a wild success— equal parts educational and exhilarating. From reading achievements to animal adventures, Pioneer had a year to remember. With strong partnerships, creative programming, and a focus on community connection, 2024 proved that the library continues to be a place where stories—and relationships—come to life.
STRYKER BRANCH 2024 was a busy and rewarding year at the Stryker Branch Library, filled with creativity, community, and resilience. One of the year’s most significant moments came in May, when severe straight-line winds damaged a large portion of the library’s roof. Thankfully, the building sustained no serious interior damage, and repairs were quickly underway. The year kicked off with a series of events including a "Flamingo Tea" for adults, a “Willy Wonka” night, a Leap Year party, a week-long “Alice in Wonderland” celebration during spring break, and a visit from the Easter Bunny! In April, patrons gathered to witness the solar eclipse during a viewing party, while younger patrons enjoyed an Arbor Day program hosted in collaboration with the Williams Soil and Water Conservation District. In May, the library partnered with Stryker Local Schools to celebrate Right to Read Week, and the Two Sisters Wreath Shop led an adults wreath-making class. Summer Reading was packed with excitement and entertainers like Team Zoom, Drummunity, Jim Basketball Jones, Johnny Tincap, the Exotic Zoo, and Professor Tony. The summer also included a week-long Author and Illustrator Camp, Nature Camp, a Friends Fiesta celebration, and the ever-popular Just Add Kidz bounce houses. In early August, the library hosted a Pokémon Camp and a well-supported Back-to-School Fundraiser Cookout organized by the Friends of the Library. The holiday season was festive and full. The year culminated in the beloved Christmas Community Open House, where Mr. and Mrs. Claus arrived on a Stryker Fire Department truck. Thanks to generous donations from Dollar General and community members, every child in attendance received a toy, book, snack, craft, and goodie bag. It was a magical celebration made possible by community support and holiday spirit. Throughout the year, the Stryker Branch continued to offer a robust schedule of regular programs, including Story Hours, Read 2 Me sessions, teen programs, LEGO Clubs, a homeschool group, two book clubs, an adult crafting group, and the Picasso Painters art group. Looking ahead, the Stryker staff remains committed to delivering excellent service and creating programming for all ages. With community roots and strong patron support, the Stryker Branch continues to be a cherished hub for learning, connection, and celebration.
WEST UNITY BRANCH 2024 was a bustling and heartwarming year at the West Unity Branch Library, filled with exciting programs, growing community connections, and meaningful moments. More and more patrons are stopping in, not just for books, but also to attend programs, make copies and faxes, or simply spend time with others. A wonderful new addition this year was the Little Food Pantry, installed just outside the library, which has been a wonderful community resource. During National Library Week, patrons were entered into a drawing with every book they checked out. The Reamsnyder family, with their four children, joyfully won a basket filled with games and toys. The West Unity Lions Club generously donated $200 for two raised garden beds for our Kids Garden Club, which met weekly from May through September. Their support helped kids learn about gardening while building pride in growing something from the ground up. In May, the library partnered with 16 local businesses to host a community-wide scavenger hunt. Participants had a blast traveling from business to business, solving clues and earning prizes.. Also in May, our first-ever Craft Swap was a hit! With two full tables and several tubs of donated materials, patrons “shopped” for free supplies all week long—and nothing went to waste. We hosted a full slate of activities during the Summer Reading Program. Guests enjoyed visits from the Exotic Zoo, Professor Tony, Drummunity, Jim Basketball Jones, COSI, and the Camp Palmer Nature Center. Highlights also included hands-on programs like Moon Slime and an Around the World Food & Ice Cream Party, along with a special lock-in for kids in 3rd grade and up that created lasting memories. When the Senior Center was closed, the library stepped in with Senior Fun Days, offering movies, games, puzzles, crafts, and companionship to help older adults stay active and connected. The year also marked a special milestone—the 30th Anniversary of the current library building. To celebrate, the Friends of the Library hosted an open house with refreshments and a display of photos commemorating the branch’s history. From new initiatives to time-honored traditions, 2024 was a year of creativity, connection, and growth. The West Unity Branch looks forward to offering even more events and services in the year ahead.
WILLIAMS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY BRYAN EDGERTON EDON PIONEER STRYKER WEST UNITY THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1882... MYWCPL.ORG 833-633-READ
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