About the Library
The Washington-Centerville Public Library strives to be a dynamic leader in fueling the intellect and imagination of those we serve.
Mission, Values & Strategic Plan
View our Mission Statement and Values, Strategic Plan, and then, see how the Library is achieving those goals in our Annual Report.
Customer Service Philosophy
To be worthy of our patron's continued support, we want to make you our top priority by offering unparalleled service. Our goal is to assist you in any way we can in your pursuit of information and enrichment. In our effort to make each experience the best it can be, see what principles guide our actions.
Communities We Serve
The Library serves the citizens of Centerville and Washington Township located eight miles southeast of Dayton, OH.
History of the Library
A School District Library tracing its roots back to 1810, seven years after Ohio became a state. Watch a video, view a collection of old Library photos, and read more about the Library's rich history.
Annual Circulation:
2020 - 1.3 million items
2021 - 1.5 million items
Circulation Per Capita:
2020 – 22 items/year
2021 – 28 items/year
Items Added to Collection:
2020 – 22,114
2021 – 24,378
Library Cardholders:
64K (33K from CV/WT)
Library Visitors:
2020 – 4,645/week
2021 – 5,557/week
Website Visitors:
2020 – 17,586/week
2021 – 15,364/week
Operating Revenue:
2020 – 8.0 million
2021 – 8.3 million
The Library is funded by the Public Library Fund (PLF), which receives 1.7% of total state tax revenues annually, and a continuous 3.0 mil local operating levy passed in November 2021. These state and local revenue sources support current ongoing operating expenses. In addition, the Library actively seeks private funding to support “special projects”. Since 2011, more than $750,000 in grants and private donations have been secured, including:
- Federal, State, Community Grants: $183,000
- Friends of Washington-Centerville Public Library Grants: $246,419
- Endowments: $247,710
- Donations: $96,644
Operating Expenses:
2020 - $6.5 million
2021 - $6.0 million
Return on Investment
Rankings Among Ohio's 251 Public Libraries:
Circulation: 15th
Registered Borrowers: 22nd
PLF (State Funding): 31st
Full Time Equivalent Staff: 27th
Materials Expenditures: 17th
Total Operating Expenditures: 22nd
Awards & Honors:
5 Star Library in the LJ Index of Public Library Service
Green Business Certified
Staff Size:
2020 – 58 Full Time Equivalent
2021 – 55 Full Time Equivalent
Facilities:
3 Library Facilities:
Centerville Library
(& Administrative Offices)
31,600 sq. ft.
Woodbourne Library
29,858 sq. ft.
Creativity Commons at RecPlex
782 sq. ft.
Art at the Library
Butterfly Garden
A butterfly garden was installed at Woodbourne Library in 2022. View the plant list and map.
