The Middletown Public Library System serves the cities of Middletown, Trenton, and Monroe and the townships of West Chester, Liberty, Lemon, Madison, and Wayne. The main library is in the city of Middletown with branch libraries in West Chester and Trenton.

Board of Library Trustees

The Library is governed by a seven-member Board of Library Trustees. Middletown City Council, as the taxing authority of the Library, is the appointing body. The length of each term is four years. The Library Board meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m.

• James E. VonderHaar
• Karen L. Hackett
• Barbara Chappell
• Joe Lyons
• James Frazier
• Harold Jackson
• Marilyn Patrick

Administration

• Douglas J. Bean, Library Director
• Judi Girton, Assistant Director
• Katherine A. Stengel, Manager of Human Resources
• Deborah Preston, Clerk-Treasurer

Trenton Team Leader

• Diane Current

West Chester Manager

• Steve Mayhugh

Funding

The Middletown Public Library System's main source of revenue is the Library and Local Government Support Fund (LLGSF). It was created by the state legislature to replace the intangibles tax, which supported libraries from 1931 until December 31, 1985. The original legislation for the LLGSF provided that 6.3% of the state's personal income tax collections be distributed to each county on a monthly basis for the support of public libraries. In 1995 the funding level was changed by the legislature to 5.7%. The distribution of the LLGSF from state to each county is based upon a formula which was devised by the Public Library Financing and Support Committee during the change from intangibles to state income tax. (Adapted from the Ohio Public Library Trustees' Handbook.)

Mission Statement

The mission of the Middletown Public Library System is:

• to build and maintain community libraries from which the community can draw
• to provide information and research services within an inviting atmosphere
• to provide library related community services

In this context the term "libraries" embraces a diverse collection of books, magazines, tapes, discs, and other media which may be used for the purpose of education, information, or leisure pursuits.

Values and Philosophy

The philosophy of the Middletown Public Library System is to provide the highest level of customer service through:

• prompt and efficient services and programs that are delivered in a personalized manner to all customers
• a comfortable and inviting environment where services and resources are easily accessible
• knowledgeable and positive employees who, through their presentation and demeanor, continually express respect for customers and co-workers
• professional management that maintains the Library's "Best in Class" reputation through progressive and responsive policies and practices

Pen and ink drawings of our libraries were created by Jack Howard.