Services

Library users with questions about looking up information, using the online catalog, or getting started on a research project are encouraged to Ask a Librarian. Library staff members will respond to inquiries within 24 hours.

A Pickerington Public Library card is free to obtain for all residents of the state of Ohio. Pickerington Public Library now has digital e-cards available. Learn more about how to get a library card and about borrowing materials at the library, on the Cardholder Services page.

For information on borrowing materials through the Pickerington Public Library, including loan periods, item limits, and renewals, visit the Borrowing Materials page, or click here for the Cardholder Policy.

Customers can reserve books and other items online or by phone, website or using the library’s new mobile app. Once customers receive notification that materials are ready for pickup by email and through their library accounts, they can come to the library drive-up window at Pickerington Main or curbside pickup at Sycamore Plaza, both available during regular library hours. Staff will then check out and deliver materials to the customer, providing fast, friendly and safe service without ever leaving your vehicle!

Drive-up window and curbside pickup customers can also request printing services by emailing pplrefstaff@pickeringtonlibrary.org with their requests and materials for printing.

Customers who cannot access the Library during business hours are able to use the 24-Hour Pickup Lockers to hold their reserved materials. Lockers are available at all library locations: click here to learn more.

Never miss the latest books from your favorite bestselling authors: subscribe to Automatic Holds for more than fifty popular authors.

Click here to get started.

Please visit the library’s Policies and Rules page to see the Computer Use and Internet Access Policy.

A library card is not required to use these public services. Customers may print through Drive-up window or curbside pickup.

Click here to see the list of services and prices.

Thanks to the grant-funded Guiding Ohio Online project, made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the State Library of Ohio, the Pickerington Public Library has technology trainers on staff to assist customers with technology questions.

The technology trainer is available in the library or by appointment for one-on-one technology help via Zoom or phone.

Click here to make an appointment.

Applying for a teacher card can be done at any library location’s Customer Service Department. Call your library location for assistance.

Teacher Collections and kits are also available for checkout. Call your library location for more information or visit the Teacher Services page for more information.

The Homework Help Center is comprised of dedicated volunteers and staff who provide general homework guidance and support to grades K – 12. The Center is open when the Pickerington Local School District is in session. The Center does not take reservations for one-on-one sessions: it is walk-in only.

Visit us if you’re stuck on an assignment, studying for a test, or just need a quiet place to work. No homework? We also offer enrichment activities such as math flashcards and academic games.

Visit the Homework Help Center page for more information.

Library users can access the library’s free WiFi through the network connections on library or personal laptops, or through the settings on personal mobile devices. Wireless printing is also available at all locations.

Click here to see wireless resources at all locations of the Pickerington Public Library.

The Pickerington Public Library lends mobile hotspots to its cardholders from all locations of the Library:

• Hotspots check out for fourteen days at a time, with no renewals.
• One hotspot can be checked out to each card at a time.
• Available for use only in the United States.

Click here to place a hold on a mobile hotspot.

The Pickerington Public Library has a variety of virtual book clubs for a range of reading levels and interests. Check our calendar of events or our book clubs page for more information.

Not sure what to read or watch? No time for browsing? Let library staff gather a new stack of books or DVDs every 2 or 4 weeks based on your preferences. Fill out this form to let us know what you like, and we’ll have the items ready for you to pick up. Appropriate for all ages.

On-Demand Stories & Songs provide an opportunity for families with children 6-years-old or younger to get a personalized early literacy class with a Youth Services staff member on Zoom. This will allow for more one-to-one interaction with families who are missing in-person early literacy classes. Request an appointment by filling out the form or call either Sycamore Plaza or the Main Library, and a staff member will contact you within 48 hours to set up a 20-minute live session.

Studying nature can be as simple as spending time outside and having the right tools for observation. To make it even easier, the library has created specialized nature backpack kits for members to rent out for adventures. There are seven different backpacks with unique topics: Insects, Birds, Hiking, Aquatic, Art, Trees & Wildflowers, Fossils and Rocks, and Night sky.

Backpacks are available at both locations, Pickerington Public Main and Sycamore Plaza. When returning, make sure to take the backpack to the location it was picked up as backpack rentals do not operate through inter-library loans, just location specific.

Meeting and conference room reservations 

Reservation requests must be completed online following library policy.

• To reserve a Meeting or Conference Room at Pickerington Main, or to reserve the Digital Classroom at Sycamore Plaza, click here for the online Meeting Room request system
• For additional information, please see the library’s Meeting and Small Conference Room Policy.

The library offers notary services at no charge to the public, at all locations. To schedule a notary appointment, click here for the online appointment request form.

There are limitations to the types of documents that library staff can notarize.

It is the responsibility of the customer to read and review the library’s Notary Services Policy carefully, or to contact a Library staff member with questions about notary services.

Proctor Services

*Services may be subject to change in response to COVID-19.

The library offers exam proctoring at all locations. To schedule an exam, click here for the online appointment request form.

It is the responsibility of the test-taker to read the Proctoring Services Policy.

For questions about proctoring services, contact the following departments:

• Pickerington Main Information Services Department: 614-837-4104, ext. 233
• Sycamore Plaza Information Services Department: 614-837-4383, ext. 124

Through SearchOhio and OhioLINK, Library cardholders can now borrow material from the collections of over 160 Ohio public and academic libraries. Click here for details and to get started.

Please visit our Suggest a Purchase page in order to submit an online request.

Every year, the Pickerington Public Library receives a limited number of federal and state tax forms, and will make these forms available to the public as soon as they arrive.

If the Library does not have a form in stock, Library users can visit the Information Desk of any location, where staff will assist in printing tax documents, or assist in using a library computer to access and print documents from federal, state, and local websites.

Resources for accessing forms online are available on the library’s Tax Information page.

Donating Items to the Pickerington Public Library

The Pickerington Public Library accepts donations of materials at all locations, based on the following criteria:

• Those donating may fill out a donation form indicating what they donated to the library and when. Donation Form
• Please note that the library cannot guarantee that any donated materials will be added to the library’s collection.
  • The library will not accept used textbooks, magazines and newspapers, encyclopedias VHS tapes, cassette tapes or CDs.
  • Once donated, materials become the property of the Pickerington Public Library and the disposition of those materials is at the discretion of library staff. Donated materials will not be returned to the donor.
  • Materials deemed suitable, according to the library’s Collection Development Policy, may be processed and added to the library’s collection.  All other materials, of acceptable condition, will be given to the Friends of the Pickerington Public Library for their bi-annual book sales.
• In the event of larger material donations (more than 10 boxes), please contact Theresa Wessel, of the Friends of the Pickerington Public Library, at Theresa.Wessel@att.net.
• The library will accept materials seven (7) days a week; However, due to staffing restraints, the library may not be able to help customers unload donations on Saturday and Sunday.
  • Donations should be given to staff and not placed in the bookdrop.
  • The Library reserves the right to ask customers to come back on a weekday.