FAX: 419-925-4227

WELCOME TO THE MARION TOWNSHIP BRANCH LIBRARY!

The library offers a wonderful variety of services that are available to everyone. A complete listing is available on this web site.

Programs especially for children include a preschool story hour held at the library every Thursday morning at 10:30 throughout the year. In addition, during the months of September thru May, an evening story hour is held on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. and a holiday story hour that includes an appropriate craft is held on the Saturday immediately preceding the holiday at 10:00 a.m.

A summer reading program is held during the months of June and July for both children who are able to read, as well as for younger children who are read to. Highlights of the program are the video and craft sessions scheduled on Monday afternoons, the opportunity to earn ice cream coupons for books read that may be redeemed at Wagner's IGA in Minster and a party for all those who complete the program. If you have children enrolled K thru sixth grade at the Marion Local Elementary School, they will receive flyers containing Summer Reading information the last week of the school year. Copies are available at the library as well.

In July of 2001, the library joined with over 300 other libraries across the state of Ohio to give local patrons convenient access to over 3 million items. This includes not only books, but videos, DVDs, music CDs, CD ROMS, books on tape and much, much more. Using the carrier, US Cargo, items are delivered three times a week to the Zahn-Marion Township Branch. You may select from this vast collection by using one of the terminals at the library. Patrons are also able to access the member libraries' card catalogs from their home computers via the Internet at www.mercer.lib.oh.us. At this site, you can search and place requests for items you wish to pick up at Chickasaw. This is done by clicking on "Web Pac" then "Library Catalog" and following the instructions on the screen. Items are usually received in several days. It is necessary to have a library card to place holds. If you do not have one, this is easily taken care of. Just visit the library and one will be issued to you. It only takes a few minutes.

If you wish to place a book in the library, either in memory of someone or to recognize a special event, anniversary or birthday, you are more than welcome to do so. This can be accomplished by bringing a book of your choice directly to the library, or you may give a money donation and we will special order a book for you. A bookplate is placed in the book giving the information you specify and a card is mailed to the persons designated informing them that a gift has been given to the library in remembrance of them.

The library has been well utilized during its 20 year existence. During the year 2001, in addition to circulating more than 57,000 items, 77 children's programs were held with a total attendance of 4,802. The library's basement meeting room is used by several organizations. Euchre is played at the senior citizen's card party held every Thursday afternoon at 1:45.