About the Library

Mission & Values

View our Mission Statement and Values, 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 and read more about the Library's rich history.

Annual Circulation:

2.2 million items

Circulation Per Capita:

41 items/year (National Average: 7)

Items Added to Collection:

90,000/year

Library Cardholders:

73K (37K from Centerville/Washington Township)

Library Visitors:

12,100/week

Website Visitors:

21,400/week

Operating Revenue:

$7.7 million

The Library is funded by the Public Library Fund (PLF), which receives 1.7% of total state tax revenues annually, and a 10-year, 3.0 mil local operating levy passed in November 2011. These state and local revenue sources, combined with grants and private donations, support the continuation of excellent library service.

Operating Expenses:

$6.9 million

Return on Investment

Return on Investment of Ohio’s Public Libraries & Comparison with Other States

WCPL Return on Investment

Rankings Among Ohio's 251 Public Libraries:

Circulation: 15th
Registered Borrowers: 20th
PLF (State Funding): 33rd
Full Time Equivalent Staff: 23rd
Materials Expenditures: 17th
Total Operating Expenditures: 20th