Holmes County District Public Library

The Holmes County District Public Library system is the main library which serves Holmes County, Ohio and includes one main location, four branch locations and two bookmobiles. The library system provides services to a population of 41,574 (2006) which includes the largest Amish settlement in the world.
The library's mission is to design and provide services which will fill the community's need to know, understand, manage and enjoy the world with freedom of thought, thereby improving the quality of life for its residence.
History
The Holmes County District Public Library traces its roots back to November 1927 when a local minister contacted the county extension agent and strongly suggested that a committee be formed in order to establish a library. The result of this committee was the formation of the Holmes County Library which opened its doors December 7, 1928 from the basement of the county courthouse in Millersburg, Ohio. The library's collection at that time consisted of 500 volumes.
The library's circulation grew from 4,800 items in 1937 to 30,000 by 1940. In 1956, the Holmes County Library secured funds from the Library Services Act passed by Congress to purchase a bookmobile in order to provide materials for those who lacked easy access to library services. Several branch locations opened across the county in 1958.
The Holmes County Library moved from the basement of the courthouse to the Patrick Building, located on W. Jackson Street in Millersburg in April 1961. Mrs. Daisy Patrick bequeathed the building for use as a library facility.
The main library moved to its present location on Glen Drive in October 1997 and in 2007, circulated 335,760 items. System-wide, the library circulated 694,872 items that same year.
Services
The Holmes County District Public Library system provides a diverse collection of books, audiobooks, magazines, music CDs and DVDs that circulate. Reference services are available for adults, teens and children. The library system includes four branches, and one bookmobile, which provides homebound services. Internet capable computers, WiFi, limited copy service, public meeting room, genealogy and local history information, Interlibrary loan, online public access catalog and programming for adults, teens and children are other services offered by the library.
The library operates one bookbmobile which provides library services to patrons throughout the county and serves a large Amish population. Circulation items totaled 172,582 in 2007.
Collaborative Project
The Holmes County District Public Library and the Holmes County Board of MR/DD, with support from the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (LSTA) created a Special Needs Lending Library located at the Holmes County Training Center in Holmesville, Ohio. This collaborative project provides materials such as reference materials, books and adaptive toys for persons with disabilities and their parents, caregivers and teachers. The project was supported in part by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services funds, granted through the State Library of Ohio.
Branch Locations
* Berlin Branch
* Killbuck Branch
* Walnut Creek Branch
* Winesburg Branch

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See Also

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