This is the most beautiful library I have ever seen. As others have said it is quite literally a museum, with something to see (and read) everywhere you look. The architecture and the gardens are incredible. I know this is an overused word, but the gardens are truly magical. There are mini gnomes, fairy gardens, and bee houses tucked in among the flowers. It was so peaceful. I could spend an entire afternoon there. read more

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A beautiful discovery in a small town. Lots of charm and character. Good selection of slightly older books in great condition. Super friendly staff. Can't wait to go back. read more

The Wagnalls Memorial Library - Adult nonfiction - Libraries Near Me - Lithopolis, Ohio

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Another place I'm sure I've already reviewed. I literally remember writing it. Anyway, we went here when we were in town for the honey festival. It's an amazing place, sadly not doing too well. Beautiful building, friendly staff. Lots of places to sit and read, nice plantings outside, lots of cool details inside. Over the years it has had financial trouble, and it really needs someone to step in and give it a boost. For a small town, it's an amazing library. For central Ohio, it is a great landmark and there's history worth preserving here. If you're in town for any reason, stop in. If you're a book nerd, it is worth a special visit. read more

This is a beautiful place that we visited last month. It has a wonderful story that Lithopholis must be very proud of. The town is unique with some fine restaurants. It's a great place to visit. read more

The Wagnalls Memorial should be visited by any library fan. It's part library and part museum. This is what a real library should be. It's still functioning and you can check out books. There's also interesting artwork and sculptures. A long time ago this opened as one of the first public libraries in the country. It was operated by the Wagnall of Funk and Wagnalls fame. The inside still looks much the same. It resembles something like Oxford. The walls are made out of beautiful old stones. It also features paintings of the Wagnall family. There's old wooden tables with old metal desk lamps. It's more appealing to me than one of the fancier new libraries with all the light shining in from a glass ceiling. The books are mostly older and you probably won't find shit like 50 Shades of anything here. I would go to the Wagnalls Memorial often if it was closer. It's much what a library should be. This feels like more of a place to actually read. read more

The Wagnalls Memorial Library - The Inside - Libraries Near Me - Lithopolis, Ohio

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Awesome library! The entire bottom floor is dedicated to kids with a large play area. My kiddo loves coming here! The entire building is beautiful and historic. We enjoy wandering the rooms and discovering neat nooks and crannies. There are well-kept gardens outside that are peaceful to stroll. The parking lot is huge, with ample space. Be advised that I get no cell service (Verizon). They do have free WiFi, so that helps immensely. Just be aware that you won't be able to make a cell call easily. Should add that most of Lithopolis is this way, not just the Wagnalls. read more

Such a beautiful library! My coworker and I took a field trip down to Lithopolis to check out this library. It's so funny to be driving down the main street in a typical little Ohio town and suddenly have a castle-like building off to the left. Being unfamiliar with the layout and following the signs that said "library entrance," we actually turned into someone's driveway thinking it led to the back parking lot, but it didn't. The turn to the parking lot is before the library itself, though we didn't see any signs indicating such. It really does feel castle-like walking through the front door and into the vestibule of the library. We were greeted at the front desk and offered some literature about the building. I really loved the main reading room with the high ceilings, elevated stage, stained glass windows, and long tables with banker's lamps. The fiction reading room was also beautiful, though blindingly sunny in the afternoon, and a little cramped by the placement of chairs in little nooks. I do hope that they allow the piano to be played sometimes. The architecture reminded me a little of the California Grand Hotel at Disneyland (and subsequently, of the Ahwahnee and other state park lodges). The nonfiction area had more of a traditional library feel with long rows of stacks, as well as a computer lab area. The selection of new books was small, but included some popular and current titles. The layout with the children's department downstairs is a little like the Bexley library, though I worry a little about the stairs and children running up and down them. There was a large table of Lego-type blocks which I totally would have used if I wasn't concerned about how often they're sanitized. It looked like at one point there were some private study rooms off to one side, though they're being used for storage now. Staff was helpful and willing to share about their experiences once they found out my coworker and I were doing a little reconnaissance on other library collections. I'd definitely come back to bask in the reading room if only it were closer. read more

The Wagnalls Memorial Library - The awesome reading room. - Libraries Near Me - Lithopolis, Ohio

Housed in an amazingly ornate building on the far outer edge of the C-bus sprawl, this library was actually a bit of a disappointment. My town, Canal, doesn't have a library. I had heard great things about the Wagnalls Memorial Library (as in Funk and..., seriously) and that it was only about two miles out of downtown Canal. I decided to check it out. Built with lots of publishing riches, the building is indeed beautiful. It's a bit of an anomaly in the tiny town of Lithopolis. With its Gothic architecture, the structure looks more like a church than a library. The interior of the library is equally majestic. It is sprawling. It boasts a 300-person auditorium, a banquet hall and a museum. The catch comes with the library's holdings. They are extremely out of date. It was very hard for me to find much of anything I was looking for. Luckily, the library is part of the same consortium as Grandview and Lancaster. All the books and DVDs I wanted could be ordered from those facilities. Wagnalls Memorial Library = Five stars for form but only two stars for function. I met in a reasonable middle at three stars. read more

The Wagnalls Memorial Library - Taken from Wagnalls' website - Libraries Near Me - Lithopolis, Ohio

First off I will outwardly admit that I have a special place in my heart for Wagnalls. I am very sad by it's current condition and hope that eventually it will recover to what it used to be five or ten years ago. While today it is dramatically reduced down to the main floor being the whole library it still is a worthwhile resource. I love the history of the collection and building. One day when I am rich I will donate a sh*t ton of money to this place because I truly believe in it. Long live Wagnalls Memorial... the future generations needs you. read more

This library has recently had some financial troubles but is still a beautiful place to visit. My mother used to bring me here quite frequently as it is a small library and their children's section is nice place to bring kids, let them play with the toys there and look at the books. The children's section is separate from the other sections so there's no need for the 'library voice' that makes going the library seem not fun to some kids. The rest of the library seems really old and makes you feel that you are in some grand reading room of a distinguished university library surrounded by professors in tweed jackets. But this also holds true for the books. If you're looking for the newest and latest information and releases, you're probably not going to find it here. Because of the recent financial troubles, they are holding more and more rented events here. This is a great place for those as the setting is lovely and the grounds (and town) themselves are nice to walk around on a nice day. read more

Wonderful library with great staff and an amazing heritage. Has a decent collection of books and movies onsite, plus access to the wider Columbus Library holds. The children's library and play space are probably the best in central Ohio as well and have won awards accordingly. read more

I cannot say enough for this fascinating stone cathedral....the friendliest librarians, original Norman Rockwells, stained glass, stone, and a lovely garden to ponder in. I really can't go to any other library after visiting this one. read more

I love this library! It doesn't have all the public funding as the bigger libraries but you can order stuff in. The building is beautiful, inviting and quite. In the basement is a huge area for the kids, bigger and kid friendlier then some of the public libraries in the area. They have a lot of activities for the kids. This is a nice place to go to grab a book and find a corner and read in peace. The fact that it is nestled in Lithopolis and off the beaten path is what makes it a gem. If this disappoints you, I can't imagine what you are looking for, maybe try downtown. read more